Information Technology
Within information technology jobs you will keep the businesses and agencies operating in the advanced digital age. From cyber security to managing wireless internet connection, you will provide support through technology that allows all employees to do their jobs in an office and out in the field. You may expand to enabling and enhancing the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the thousands of people who conserve, protect, and manage public and private lands and resources. Your expertise will provide the full range of IT services to large and widely dispersed workforces, from cybersecurity to enterprise architecture to network administration to customer support.
Industry Insights
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Estimated employment nationwide in 2024
Projected change in employment through 2034
Mid-career annual salary (nationwide median)
How the work is typically performed
Peak demand and work cadence
Career Pathways & Progression
Position Responsibilities
Entry‑level workers provide front‑line technical support and assist with the installation of hardware, software and network devices. In conservation agencies this may include troubleshooting laptops and field sensors, configuring mobile devices for data collection and helping users with software. They also maintain user accounts and document support requests.
Job Types & Titles
- IT Support Specialist
- Help Desk Technician
- Field Support Technician
- Junior Network Technician
Qualifications Snapshot
Education
High‑school diploma with coursework in IT or associate/bachelor’s degree preferred.
Certifications
CompTIA A+ or similar entry‑level certification.
Experience
Internship or experience in customer service and basic computer repair.
Position Responsibilities
Technician‑level professionals manage servers, networks and databases, implement cybersecurity controls and support specialized GIS and instrumentation used by environmental field teams. They monitor system performance, deploy updates and participate in incident response.
Job Types & Titles
- Network/System Administrator
- Cybersecurity Technician
- Database Technician
- GIS Technician
Qualifications Snapshot
Education
Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science or related field.
Certifications
CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Cisco CCNA.
Experience
1-3 years of IT support or network administration experience; fieldwork desirable.
Position Responsibilities
Professional‑level roles design and implement secure networks and cloud environments, manage complex databases and IT projects, perform security assessments and respond to advanced threats. They may manage hybrid cloud infrastructure, integrate GIS data pipelines and oversee software development.
Job Types & Titles
- Systems Administrator
- Security Analyst
- Database Administrator
- Cloud Engineer
- IT Project Manager
Qualifications Snapshot
Education
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science or related discipline.
Certifications
AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Cisco CCNP, CISSP, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator.
Experience
3-7 years of progressive experience in network administration, cybersecurity or systems engineering.
Position Responsibilities
Managers and executives develop IT strategy, manage budgets and staff, oversee cybersecurity policies and ensure compliance with regulations. In land‑management agencies they align technology initiatives with mission goals, champion digital transformation and coordinate across departments and partners.
Job Types & Titles
- IT Manager
- Information Systems Director
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Qualifications Snapshot
Education
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in information systems, computer science or business administration.
Certifications
Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
Experience
7+ years of IT experience with leadership responsibilities and project management.
Who Hires Information Technology Professionals?
Explore leading organizations in this field and discover career opportunities.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
Google (IT & Data Centers)
Microsoft
Amazon (Operations, IT & Support Engineering)
The Nature Conservancy
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