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Conservation Scientists

The short answer

This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 122 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.

How much AI could touch this job

More exposedband 4 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 83% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Manage forage resources through fire, herbicide use, or revegetation to maintain a sustainable yield from the land.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Soil and Plant Scientists

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    Pays about 1% more—$79,980 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Biology
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Science
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Active Learning
  • Foresters

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    Pays slightly less—$75,770 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Biology
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Systems Analysis
  • Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

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    Pays about 7% more—$84,461 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension
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    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

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    +12% pay73 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 12% more—$88,826 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension
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    New skills to build

    • Science
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  • Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

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    Pays about 24% more—$98,434 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
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    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension
    • Education and Training

    New skills to build

    • Management of Financial Resources
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    • Personnel and Human Resources
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  • Instructional Coordinators

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    Pays about 5% more—$82,810 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a master's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension
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    New skills to build

    • Learning Strategies
    • Philosophy and Theology
    • Instructing
    • Therapy and Counseling
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  • Managers, All Other

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    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Reading Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
  • Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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    Pays about 33% more—$105,513 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Biology
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Chemistry
    • Education and Training
    • Science
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  • Civil Engineers

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    Pays about 35% more—$106,668 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Reading Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Engineering and Technology
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  • Chief Executives

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    Pays about 231% more—$262,311 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
    • Management of Financial Resources
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  • Entertainment And Recreation Managers, Except Gambling

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    Pays about 26% more—$100,045 vs your $79,144 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • Education and Training
    • Oral Comprehension
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    New skills to build

    • Sociology and Anthropology