Natural Resource Stewardship Competencies
The National Park Service's (NPS) Training and Development Program is dedicated to developing curricula based on competencies. The NPS Training and Development Program defines a competency as “a measurable pattern of knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviors and other characteristics that an individual needs to perform work roles or occupational functions successfully.” Through competency-based training and developmental opportunities, the natural resource career field works to enhance employees' knowledge, skills, and abilities for their personal and professional success.
Essential Competencies for Natural Resource Stewardship:
| Communication |
| An ability to effectively communicate complex, technical, or controversial natural resource information to diverse audiences through a variety of media. |
| NPS Resource Stewardship |
| The ability to effectively apply laws, policies, regulations, and guidelines in concert with scientific knowledge to protect park resources and ecological systems. |
| Planning and Compliance |
| The ability to apply scientific knowledge to identify and define natural resource issues, and to develop and evaluate alternative management strategies. |
| Professional Credibility |
| Demonstrated expertise in and contributions to science and scientific endeavors which are recognized by peers in Government agencies and the academic community as providing a strong foundation and leadership in the natural resources work performed. |
| Project & Program Management |
| The ability to apply knowledge of scientific concepts and NPS programs to plan, implement, and/or administer natural resource projects. |
| Scientific Knowledge |
| In-depth knowledge of current ecological and scientific principles with an ability to evaluate results of research that can be used to resolve diverse and complex park natural resource issues. |
| Scientific Method |
| The knowledge and ability to apply sound scientific approaches and appropriate methods to resolve natural resource management issues, including the design, conduct, and evaluation of inventory, monitoring, and research projects. |
View or print the seven essential competencies identified for the natural resource career field.
