Life As a Forest and Conservation Technician
Job Description: Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts, under the direction of foresters; or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation, fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
A Day in the Life of a Conservation Technician
- Inspect trees and collect samples of plants, seeds, foliage, bark, and roots to locate insect and disease damage.
- Perform reforestation or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement.
- Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas such as burns, cut-over areas, experimental plots, and timber sales sections.
- Develop and maintain computer databases.
- Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.
- Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Conservation Technician?
Below is a list of the skills most Forest and Conservation Technicians say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Other Conservation Technician Job Titles
- Resource Manager
- Conservation Officer
- Forestry Aide
- Forester Aide
- Grazing Examiner
What Kind of Conservation Technician Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 33,200 jobs for Forest and Conservation Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.9% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,300 new jobs for Forest and Conservation Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Conservation Technician are Nevada, Florida, and Louisiana. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, West Virginia, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Conservation Technician Salary
The salary for Forest and Conservation Technicians ranges between about $26,600 and $57,700 a year.
Forest and Conservation Technicians who work in Kansas, Pennsylvania, or Mississippi, make the highest salaries.
How much do Forest and Conservation Technicians make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,970 |
| Alaska | $47,830 |
| Arizona | $38,270 |
| Arkansas | $46,020 |
| California | $41,010 |
| Colorado | $39,120 |
| Connecticut | $47,150 |
| Florida | $46,050 |
| Georgia | $45,880 |
| Idaho | $37,950 |
| Illinois | $46,650 |
| Indiana | $37,980 |
| Iowa | $39,560 |
| Kansas | $46,180 |
| Kentucky | $37,620 |
| Louisiana | $43,890 |
| Maine | $47,270 |
| Maryland | $43,500 |
| Massachusetts | $47,530 |
| Michigan | $38,350 |
| Minnesota | $44,430 |
| Mississippi | $47,400 |
| Missouri | $43,780 |
| Montana | $37,100 |
| Nebraska | $44,990 |
| Nevada | $38,960 |
| New Hampshire | $39,130 |
| New Mexico | $37,480 |
| New York | $42,070 |
| North Carolina | $40,700 |
| North Dakota | $44,480 |
| Ohio | $40,190 |
| Oklahoma | $45,670 |
| Oregon | $40,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,170 |
| South Carolina | $45,500 |
| South Dakota | $37,530 |
| Tennessee | $38,120 |
| Texas | $43,880 |
| Utah | $33,750 |
| Vermont | $41,250 |
| Virginia | $42,080 |
| Washington | $39,900 |
| West Virginia | $41,100 |
| Wisconsin | $35,320 |
| Wyoming | $36,430 |
What Tools do Forest and Conservation Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Forest and Conservation Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- ESRI ArcView
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Desktop publishing software
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- RockWare ArcMap
- Photogrammetric software
How do I Become a Conservation Technician?
Education needed to be a Forest and Conservation Technician:
What work experience do I need to become a Conservation Technician?
Where do Forest and Conservation Technicians Work?
Below are examples of industries where Forest and Conservation Technicians work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Forest and Conservation Technician might also be interested in the following careers:
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
- Forest Firefighters
- Fish and Game Wardens
Career changers with experience as a Forest and Conservation Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Park Naturalists
- Forest Firefighters
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
- Ship and Boat Captains
References:
Image Credit: Bureau of Land Management via Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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