If you work in the natural resource industry, you’re probably familiar with the difficulties of recruiting and hiring for job openings. Most of the roles require highly specific knowledge and skills. A limited number of persons are qualified to do the job, with many of them happily working elsewhere. The remote work locations and safety concerns can make even the most eligible candidates think twice before accepting jobs in the natural resource industry.
Even if it takes more time and effort, you can successfully recruit for and fill these vacant positions. You just need to consider the job description and your recruiting strategy carefully. Here is what you need to know in order to fulfill natural resource job openings.
What are Natural Resource Industry Jobs?
Natural resource industry professionals are typically employed by a conservation organization, a university, or a nature research center. Workers in the industry are generally well-educated, with a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in their field.
Areas of specialty include land management, forestry, wildlife, marine life, or environmental concerns. Some common job titles in this field include ecological analyst, environmental scientist, geologist, field scientist, and natural resource specialist.
In addition to fieldwork, many administrative roles in the natural resource industry are dedicated to program management, grant writing, and scientific analysis. Another typical role is the natural resource officer, a police role dedicated to protecting wildlife and land. Detectives and investigators in this field may be known as natural resource agents or special agents.
The US Forest Service, one of the largest employers in the natural resource industry, lists available positions in categories such as resources management, visitor services, fire and aviation, medical and safety, grants and agreements, property management, and more.
Top Natural Resource Industry Job Fulfillment Tips
While it can be challenging to fulfill natural resource industry jobs, these tips will help you along the way:
Identify your specific needs
Jobs in the natural resource industry require highly specialized and specific skills and qualifications. You will be more likely to find the right fit for an open position if your job description is equally specific. Natural resource specialists from different fields can have skill sets that are irrelevant to your needs.
Spend some time listing the unique needs for your job. Be sure to list any required education, experience, or other qualifications. Be as specific as possible about the job requirements so that important terms appear in job board search engines.
Arrive at an appropriate salary
Many organizations in the natural resource industry operate in multiple states or countries. For example, The Nature Conservancy says it has conservation efforts in more than 70 countries and territories. When computing the salary for a natural resource job opening, be sure to consider the cost of living and the average wage in the region where the job is located. Even among the 50 United States, average salaries vary wildly.Â
What seems like an attractive salary where you are located may not translate to the job’s location. To ensure you attract appropriately qualified and experienced candidates, consider the local average salary and then adjust for the compensation for the particular role.
Craft an employee value proposition
Salary is always a top consideration for job seekers, but it’s not everything. Many will consider company culture and job flexibility when deciding whether to apply for a role or accept a job offer. An employee value proposition (EVP) is a statement that describes what makes your organization unique and conveys the intangible benefits your employees enjoy.
Include any out-of-the-ordinary benefits and perks that come with working for your organization. Part of a compelling EVP is to persuade job seekers they will receive more than a steady paycheck and job security if they choose to join your organization. While these intangible benefits can be challenging to define, they can make the difference for positions that prove challenging to fill.
Offer flexibility and work-life balance
Some natural resource industry jobs require more than a 9-to-5 commitment. Fieldwork and scientific research can consume large amounts of an employee’s time, especially while they are working on specific projects. Recognize the commitment the job will take, and compensate with flexible work arrangements.
For instance, if you anticipate a role will require an employee to be away from their family on fieldwork for extended periods, offer a flexible paid time off (PTO) package. Design your benefits package with work-life balance in mind since this will likely attract more qualified applicants.