Photo courtesy of Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The job of natural resources management specialist is a mid-level position in bioenergy, in the agriculture, life, and physical sciences career sub-sector. Job seekers with agriculture, life, and physical sciences backgrounds or a career in the sciences could consider this type of mid-level bioenergy job.

Natural resources management specialists assist in the development of analyses and plans to inform policymakers and regional planners on potential outcomes of bioenergy deployment. They also collaborate with other scientists and engineers in interdisciplinary teams comprised of natural resources specialists, hydrologists, crop scientists, and economists. People in these positions may have careers in bioenergy natural resource management.

Natural Resources Management Specialist

Alternate Title(s)Environmental Protection Specialist; Natural Resoures Specialist; Environmental Scientist; Ecologist
Education & Training Level DescriptionMaster’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Chemical or Biological Engineering, Forestry, Agriculture, or related field such as Ecological Restoration, is preferred.
Experience3–7 years
Job Skills
  • Comprehensive and interdisciplinary knowledge in the physical and life sciences
  • Ability to analyze data and communicate results in oral and written presentations
  • Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific data to solve natural resources problems in the development of bioenergy resources.
Job ProfileNatural resources, such as land, water, soil, and other critical components for the production of bioenergy need to be protected and used sustainably. This ensures that forest and agricultural feedstock is produced sustainably, and that key innovations in natural resources management are adopted for a productive, sustainable, and efficient industry.
 
Natural Resources Specialists apply their knowledge and understanding of forestry, agriculture, and natural sciences to ensure that that best management practices are used to protect water quality, water quantity, biodiversity, and air quality. In research and development careers, natural resources specialists help the bioenergy industry assess the use of land, soil, water and other resources, analyze their economic, environmental, and social footprint, and design resource management strategies to improve the beneficial impacts of the system.
 
At the middle levels, natural resources specialists assist in the development of analyses and plans to inform policymakers and regional planners on potential outcomes of bioenergy deployment. This person will collaborate with other scientists and engineers in interdisciplinary teams comprised of natural resources specialists, hydrologists, crop scientists, and economists. A master’s degree in natural resources management, chemical or biological engineering, forestry, agriculture, or a related field such as ecological restoration, is preferred.