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Natural Resource Specialist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

7 min read

Quoted Experts

Joseph Tuquero,

Bridget Baker MS, DVM

Natural Resource Specialist Example Skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical natural resource specialist skills. We ranked the top skills for natural resource specialists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 28.2% of natural resource specialist resumes contained management plans as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a natural resource specialist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 natural resource specialist skills for your resume and career

1. Management Plans

Management plans are outlined objectives to complete for a specific project. This may include everything from assigning responsibilities to employees to timelines for individual objectives. Depending on the size of the project, management plans may include milestone objectives, which are smaller goals to reach within the project as a whole and may also have separate timelines.

Here's how natural resource specialists use management plans:

Conduct forest resource inventories, including noting presence of exotic and invasive species, and write forest management plans.
Performed field surveys for sign of Stephens' kangaroo rat specific to implementation of the installation Fire Management Plan.

2. USDA

Here's how natural resource specialists use usda:

Submitted comments to the USDA Forest Service on behalf of organization's members.

3. Natural Resource Management

Here's how natural resource specialists use natural resource management:

Advised socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers on natural resource management, and livestock production issues.
Perform continuing education in project and contract management, and natural resource management topics.

4. Environmental Issues

Environmental issues refer to a number of harmful events and effects as a result of human activity. This includes pollution, deforestation, endangering specific species, and any other issue caused by humans. Environmental issues are commonly studied by environmental organizations and research laboratories, one side providing the scientific evidence of humans' harmful effects and the other promoting the research and studies.

Here's how natural resource specialists use environmental issues:

Designed and implemented workshops on local ecology and environmental issues for ages 4-14
Created outreach program to educate hundreds of youth and adults about local environmental issues.

5. Environmental Regulations

Here's how natural resource specialists use environmental regulations:

Reviewed draft environmental regulations and advised the Department on marine and coastal ecology issues.
Analyzed reports and databases to determine compliance of environmental regulations.

6. Environmental Assessments

An environmental assessment identifies, predicts, and evaluates all potential effects on the environment of a proposed project. It estimates, identifies, and evaluates the results a project might cause by conducting environmental studies, to alleviate the pertinent negative effects before making commitments and decisions.

Here's how natural resource specialists use environmental assessments:

Serve as recreation technical specialist for Environmental assessments and Environmental Impact Statements.
Reviewed environmental assessments to ensure completion, accuracy, and legal compliance.

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7. Technical Guidance

Technical guidance refers to the various guidelines or resources in the form of handbooks, checklists, tools/toolkits, or surveillance protocols, that reflects the generally accepted technical practices necessary to meet a requirement.

Here's how natural resource specialists use technical guidance:

Provided technical guidance to private landowners regarding wildlife and habitat management as needed.
Issued policy and rendered technical guidance and expertise to Natural budget.

Select Skills To Add To Your Resume

Management Plans

USDA

Natural Resource Management

Environmental Issues

Environmental Regulations

Environmental Assessments

8. Cultural Resources

Cultural resources are historic or prehistoric indicators or remains of previous human activities, including artefacts, landscapes, sites, structures, and objects of importance to a culture or community. This value can be regarding its scientific, archaeological, architectural, spiritual traditional, religious, historic, and human development.

Here's how natural resource specialists use cultural resources:

Provided preservation and advisement for cultural resources such as an historic cemetery and historic on-base buildings, coordination with SHPO.
Created brochure and outreach that combines natural and cultural resources.

9. Environmental Policy

Environmental policy refers to the practice of analyzing how humans affect the environment and the laws and regulations that attempt to reduce the harmful effects. These policies and practices are typically enforced by government agencies or larger corporations, which may focus on cleaner water sources, less air pollution, or other areas.

Here's how natural resource specialists use environmental policy:

Co-authored the final regulations for the National Environmental Policy Act (1977) and the Strip Mine Act (1977).
Reviewed and evaluated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects.

10. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how natural resource specialists use gis:

Generated several GIS layers that independently excelled the progress of several Project Management areas.
Developed proficiency in Process Automation Management System and GIS.

11. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how natural resource specialists use data collection:

Performed technical data collection, research, analysis, evaluations, inspections, or surveys and evaluated impact on natural resources.
Conducted field surveys/data collection for writing an Environmental Assessment (NEPA) a for mine closure at Grand Canyon National Monument.

12. Federal Agencies

Federal agencies are specialized departments of government set up by the government to perform specific duties. They can have responsibilities such as management of resources, overlooking of financial position of industries, national security issues, and so on.

Here's how natural resource specialists use federal agencies:

Develop professional relationships with other state and federal agencies in regards to fish and wildlife management.
Enhance and maintain interagency relationships with local, county, state, and federal agencies.

13. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how natural resource specialists use gps:

Used GPS and laser rangefinders extensively in establishing sampling station grid.
Boat operation, trailering, maintenance and navigation of waterways using GPS, charts, and radar.

14. Project Management

Here's how natural resource specialists use project management:

Provided senior project management and technical oversight for environmental science, engineering, construction and planning activities and services.
Performed project management and air monitoring services for a variety of asbestos abatement and indoor air quality projects.

15. CFR

CFR, or Code of Federal Regulations, is the codification of general and permanent regulations published in the federal register by executive agencies and departments of the government of the federation. Its aim is to present the official and complete text of government regulations in one organized publication and provide a comprehensive reference for anyone who needs to know.

Here's how natural resource specialists use cfr:

Minimized conflicts of use & violations of Title 36 CFR.

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What skills help Natural Resource Specialists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Natural Resource Specialist resumes?

Joseph Tuquero

Extension Agent III / Instructor, University of Guam

Some horticultural, pest and disease monitoring, and computer skills including overall knowledge of sustaining natural resources.

What Natural Resource Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Bridget Baker MS, DVM

Research Assistant Professor, Florida Southern College

For networking and resume building, it's important to do additional training as an undergraduate, like a summer internship. When looking for jobs, use a variety of resources, including: job boards, notably Texas A&M's Natural Resources Job Board (https://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/); state, federal (USAJOBS), and non-profit employment sites; and training and career openings listed on professional organizations' websites. If there is a particular position or type of position you are really interested in, don't be afraid to reach out even if there is no current opportunity available. You might be able to learn when an opportunity could become available or you might get recommendation for another contact/opportunity. Early in your career, whether during an internship or job, say "yes" to as many opportunities as possible.

What type of skills will young Natural Resource Specialists need?

Dr. Elizabeth Keavney Ph.D.

Associate Professor, American Public University System

The ability to examine all sides of an issue, to include long-term consequences and short-term consequences and unintended consequences and intended outcomes is vital. A focus on goals and objectives, instead of depending on an emotional response, will help lead to the best solutions. Public servants should be adaptable and able to work with people from various cultures. They need to have an understanding of how to work with and motivate individuals and groups. Those who can stay engaged and exercise good judgment will fare best in fluid and changing times.

What technical skills for a Natural Resource Specialist stand out to employers?

Joshua Raabe Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Many graduates' first position is a field technician, so being able to handle and identify fish, trailer and operate boats, and use a variety of sampling equipment are essential skills. Management and research requires data analysis, so statistics, computer programming, and GIS are valuable skills. Finally, writing and communication skills are absolutely necessary to communicate science to the public and each other.

What soft skills should all Natural Resource Specialists possess?

Richard Zack Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Washington State University

Our industry partners and our advisory groups have been telling us for a while that soft-skills are very important to them. While they are seeking students with good technical backgrounds, they can and usually do fill in the details of individual types of positions through their own training programs. However, they want employees that are interested in what their companies do and how they operate, individuals that are eager to learn and progress through a system, individuals that have experienced and have an appreciation for working in teams, individuals that are creative but understand the chain of command, and as one large regional employer put it to me, individuals that show up for work on time and don't ask, as a first question, about vacation times and day's off. They are also very interested in employees that have cultural competencies and can work with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. In many of our fields, it is important that students look for internships with companies in which they have an interest. Many of our students our hired out of internships. So, it is very important for an individual to present themselves in the best possible manner when they are interacting with possible employers.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Natural Resource Specialists?

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Paine College

I would say knowledge of Biological Techniques, about following the protocols for the ease of use, Experimental plan and design, Research Protocols, Analytical methods, etc.

Do you want to know more?

List of natural resource specialist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a natural resource specialist resume and required skills for a natural resource specialist to have include:

Management Plans
USDA
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Issues
Environmental Regulations
Environmental Assessments
Technical Guidance
Cultural Resources
Environmental Policy
GIS
Data Collection
Federal Agencies
GPS
Project Management
CFR
Technical Support

Data Entry
Water Quality
Technical Assistance
Wetland
Species ACT
BLM
Environmental Compliance
Harvest
Federal Regulations
ArcGIS
Technical Reports
Patrol
Water ACT
Environmental Quality
Public Outreach
State Agencies

Invasive Species
Public Safety
Management Practices
Government Agencies
TCEQ
Weed Control
EPA
Local Agencies
Water Safety
Data Management
Trail Maintenance
Visitor Assistance
Mowing
Educational Programs

Updated January 8, 2025

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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