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Natural Resources Specialist Jobs in Auburn, AL (NOW HIRING)

Natural Resources Specialist information

See Auburn, AL salary details

$30.1K

$44.4K

$82.7K

How much do natural resources specialist jobs pay per year?

As of May 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for natural resources specialist in Auburn, AL is $44,439.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31,300.00 and $57,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Natural Resources Specialist Do?

A natural resources specialist works within a state or federal government agency to study, manage, and preserve natural resources. In this role, you may be a generalist, or you may have a specific focus, like range management, forestation, soil conservation, land management, or water conservation. Your duties include conducting studies of natural resources, using land maps or GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to map vegetation and other resources. Other responsibilities include making recommendations regarding natural resources and modifying proposed actions that impact natural resources. You develop and implement habitat restoration projects and review proposals from organizations that may affect sensitive habitats.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Natural Resources Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Natural Resources Specialist, you need a solid background in environmental science, ecology, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency in GIS software, environmental assessment tools, and familiarity with regulatory compliance systems is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills enable effective collaboration with stakeholders and clear reporting of findings. These skills and qualifications are essential for making informed decisions that balance resource use with environmental protection and regulatory requirements.

What are the most common challenges Natural Resources Specialists face when balancing environmental protection with land use development?

Natural Resources Specialists often navigate the complex task of balancing environmental preservation with the demands of land use and development. This can involve coordinating with multiple stakeholders, such as government agencies, private developers, and community groups, to ensure that projects comply with environmental regulations while also meeting economic or community needs. Managing competing priorities, addressing stakeholder concerns, and keeping up with evolving environmental laws are frequent challenges. Effective communication, negotiation, and up-to-date technical knowledge are essential for overcoming these obstacles and achieving sustainable outcomes.

What are Natural Resources Specialists?

Natural Resources Specialists are professionals who manage, protect, and conserve natural resources such as land, water, plants, and wildlife. They often work for government agencies, environmental organizations, or private companies to develop and implement strategies for sustainable resource use. Their responsibilities may include conducting environmental assessments, monitoring ecosystems, enforcing regulations, and educating the public. Natural Resources Specialists play a key role in balancing human activities with environmental preservation.

What is the difference between Natural Resources Specialist vs Environmental Scientist?

AspectNatural Resources SpecialistEnvironmental Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in environmental science, forestry, or related field; certifications like GIS or environmental management are commonBachelor's or master's degree in environmental science, ecology, or related field; often requires research experience
Work EnvironmentFieldwork in natural settings, government agencies, or consulting firmsLaboratory and field research, data analysis, policy development
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, conservation organizations, resource management firmsResearch institutions, government agencies, environmental consulting firms

Natural Resources Specialists focus on managing and conserving natural resources through fieldwork and practical management, while Environmental Scientists emphasize research, data analysis, and policy development to address environmental issues. Both roles often collaborate but differ in their primary focus and work environment.

Infographic showing various Natural Resources Specialist job openings in Auburn, AL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,439 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Natural Resources Specialist

FSA, NRCS, RMA, FPAC Careers

Auburn, AL โ€ข On-site

$112.56K/yr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

This position is located in the State office of the State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this position is to provide leadership for NRCS at the state level, initiating, facilitating, integrating, coordinating and communicating work activities within a broad based conservation partnership between conservation entities whose missions are to promote regional, state and priority local conservation efforts.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.
Basic Requirement: GS-0401:
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.; OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to meeting one of the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered:
Specialized Experience Requirement
For the GS-13 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Provide technical expertise on the design and evaluation of conservation practices; 2)Collaborates with public and private organizations to address natural resource conservation issues at the state and local level to execute mutual conservation objectives;3) Conduct conservation analyses to develop training plans to maintain partnership milestones and budget for short and long term goals; and 4) Coordinate outreach services to market agency services by educating targeted audiences for future partnerships.
Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-13 level.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement.Education:College Transcript: If qualifying based on education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with course number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g., special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college to ensure proper evaluation.
Your education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited toward qualifications. You may verify accreditation by visiting the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs website. We will verify your education accordingly.
Foreign Education: You must submit verification that education completed in a foreign institution, was recognized by an accreditation body accepted by the U.S. Department of Education. You must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Your transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
You may submit an unofficial copy of your transcript at the initial phase of the application process. However, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for instructions on submitting transcripts.Employment Type: OTHER