Natural Resources Policy Specialist
Environmental & Natural Resources
Plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources.
What Natural Resources Policy Specialists Do
Plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources.
Common Tasks
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- 1Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 2Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics, such as forest resource policy, forest pathology, and mapping.
- 3Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- 4Supervise students' laboratory or field work.
- 5Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
What You'll Learn
Types of Natural Resources Policy Specialists
Work Environment
Locations
- • State and federal natural resource agencies
- • Forests, rangelands, and wildlife refuges
- • Environmental consulting firms
- • Nonprofit conservation organizations
- • Universities and research field sites
Schedule
Most roles follow a regular weekday schedule with moderate time pressure, with occasional early starts, travel, or seasonal fieldwork.
Physical Demands
Work is a mix of office time and field time, with moderate sitting, standing, and walking. Field days may involve carrying gear, handling tools/samples, and working outdoors in heat, cold, or uneven terrain.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 43,900 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand may rise as governments and private landowners invest more in habitat protection, wildfire resilience, and water/soil conservation. Increased environmental regulations and climate adaptation projects can also create more planning, monitoring, and compliance work.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Work that directly supports environmental protection
- • Variety of tasks (field surveys, planning, stakeholder outreach)
- • Stable roles in public agencies and utilities
- • Opportunities to specialize (soils, wildlife habitat, forestry, water)
- • Clear mission-driven career paths
Cons
- • Fieldwork can be weather-dependent and physically tiring
- • Permitting and compliance paperwork can be heavy
- • Projects may be affected by politics, funding cycles, or public opposition
- • Travel to remote sites may be required
- • Moderate growth in some regions can mean competitive openings
Common Questions About the Natural Resources Policy Specialist Trade
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