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What does a natural resource technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Mark Ashton

A natural resource technician assists other environmental specialists in collecting and compiling environmental data and in using that information to assess how natural resources are impacted by bioenergy. A natural resource technician is typically supervised by a senior natural resource specialist. This position requires a bachelor's degree in environmental science. The responsibilities of this position include analyzing environmental problems, developing plans that guide policy makers, and providing data on possible outcomes of bioenergy deployment.

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Natural resource technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real natural resource technician resumes:

  • Manage facility projects, produce facility reports preventive maintenance, work orders and administer maintenance program using CMMS and SCADA.
  • Train in intermediate processing including working with isolate stem cells while meetingcompany and FDA regulations for lifesaving and life-enhancing products.
  • Coordinate a restoration and conservation grant program locating, surveying and controlling invasive wetland species.

Natural resource technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Natural Resource Technicians are proficient in GPS, Natural Resources, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observational skills, Technical skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Natural Resource Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • GPS, 10%

    Navigate to and from remote areas using aerial maps and GPS units.

  • Natural Resources, 9%

    Conducted standardized biological analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of park natural resources.

  • Hand Tools, 7%

    Used power tools and hand tools to improve, repair, and maintain field camp structures and weirs.

  • GRASS, 6%

    Implement habitat improvement program operating tractor and seeder to reseed Base airfield with desired grass species.

  • Data Collection, 6%

    Research includes radio telemetry on nesting females, data collection and entry, and vegetation surveys.

  • Weed Control, 5%

    Conducted noxious weed control using both biological and chemical applications.

Most natural resource technicians use their skills in "gps," "natural resources," and "hand tools" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential natural resource technician responsibilities here:

Observational skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a natural resource technician to have is observational skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments." Natural resource technicians often use observational skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "monitored nesting habits of malaclemys terrapin (diamondback terrapin) by collecting gps and observational data. "

Technical skills. Many natural resource technician duties rely on technical skills. "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments," so a natural resource technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways natural resource technician responsibilities rely on technical skills: "provide technical assistance and guidance to various division program and administrative personnel consultants, contractors, landowners and public officials. "

Analytical skills. This is an important skill for natural resource technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how natural resource technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a natural resource technician: "assisted graduate student with the data collection of tree attributes in riparian areas on northern wisconsin lakes. ".

Communication skills. A big part of what natural resource technicians do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to natural resource technician responsibilities because "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical natural resource technician tasks: "provide written and verbal communication, excel, word, and powerpoint documentation. "

All natural resource technician skills

The three companies that hire the most natural resource technicians are:

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Compare different natural resource technicians

Natural resource technician vs. Soil conservation aide

A fire management officer ensures regular safe housekeeping and inspections take place. They ensure fire safety audits take place and appropriate actions get implemented. Besides reporting hazards and the implemented remedial actions, fire management officers monitor the organization's daily fire safety functions, fire protection, and fire prevention. These professionals ensure that the staff members have access to the appropriate emergency response procedures and written fire safety procedures. Also, they ensure fire protection systems and fire safety equipment remain tested and maintained.

If we compare the average natural resource technician annual salary with that of a soil conservation aide, we find that soil conservation aides typically earn a $1,306 higher salary than natural resource technicians make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between natural resource technicians and soil conservation aides are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like gps, data collection, and mowing.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, natural resource technician responsibilities require skills like "natural resources," "hand tools," "grass," and "weed control." Meanwhile a typical soil conservation aide has skills in areas such as "sage," "wetland," "general upkeep," and "crp." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, soil conservation aides reach similar levels of education than natural resource technicians. Soil conservation aides are 3.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Natural resource technician vs. Fire management officer

Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.

Fire management officer positions earn higher pay than natural resource technician roles. They earn a $43,948 higher salary than natural resource technicians per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both natural resource technicians and fire management officers have skills such as "management plans," "technical assistance," and "data analysis. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that natural resource technician responsibilities requires skills like "gps," "natural resources," "hand tools," and "grass." But a fire management officer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "logistics," "resource management," "financial reports," and "blm."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Fire management officers tend to reach higher levels of education than natural resource technicians. In fact, they're 15.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for natural resource technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Mark AshtonMark Ashton LinkedIn profile

Senior Associate Dean of The Forest School; Morris K. Jesup Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology and Director of School Forests, Yale University

Remote sensing and measurements of natural resources.

Natural resource technician vs. Forestry aide

An average forestry aide eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of natural resource technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to forestry aides earning a $1,181 lower average salary than natural resource technicians.By looking over several natural resource technicians and forestry aides resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "gps," "hand tools," and "equipment maintenance." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a natural resource technician is likely to be skilled in "natural resources," "grass," "data collection," and "weed control," while a typical forestry aide is skilled in "fire suppression," "fire behavior," "rehabilitation," and "firefighting."

Most forestry aides achieve a similar degree level compared to natural resource technicians. For example, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Natural resource technician vs. Environmental scientist

Environmental scientists tend to earn a higher pay than natural resource technicians by an average of $26,620 per year.While both natural resource technicians and environmental scientists complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like gps, data collection, and gis, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "natural resources," "hand tools," "grass," and "weed control" are skills that commonly show up on natural resource technician resumes. On the other hand, environmental scientists use skills like environmental compliance, osha, technical reports, and oversight on their resumes.In general, environmental scientists earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $72,955. The highest-paying industry for a natural resource technician is the government industry.In general, environmental scientists hold higher degree levels compared to natural resource technicians. Environmental scientists are 6.7% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of natural resource technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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