All About Forest and Conservation Workers
Job Description: Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, and tree planters.
Life As a Forest and Conservation Worker
- Sort tree seedlings, discarding substandard seedlings, according to standard charts or verbal instructions.
- Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.
- Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- Maintain campsites or recreational areas, replenishing firewood or other supplies and cleaning kitchens or restrooms.
- Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.
- Erect signs or fences, using posthole diggers, shovels, or other hand tools.
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Forest and Conservation Worker Required Skills
These are the skills Forest and Conservation Workers say are the most useful in their careers:
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Conservation Specialist
- Gatherer
- Boxer
- Woodsman
- Cupper
Is There Job Demand for Forest and Conservation Workers?
In the United States, there were 14,300 jobs for Forest and Conservation Worker in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Forest and Conservation Worker. There will be an estimated 2,100 positions for Forest and Conservation Worker per year.
The states with the most job growth for Forest and Conservation Worker are Oregon, North Dakota, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, Louisiana, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Forest and Conservation Worker Make?
The average yearly salary of a Forest and Conservation Worker ranges between $21,940 and $48,220.
Forest and Conservation Workers who work in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or Missouri, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Forest and Conservation Workers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $24,720 |
Colorado | $28,830 |
District of Columbia | $50,800 |
Florida | $33,850 |
Georgia | $38,190 |
Hawaii | $39,810 |
Illinois | $38,760 |
Indiana | $24,340 |
Iowa | $28,400 |
Kansas | $28,380 |
Louisiana | $35,590 |
Maryland | $41,030 |
Massachusetts | $46,700 |
Michigan | $41,710 |
Missouri | $44,220 |
Montana | $30,080 |
New Hampshire | $33,440 |
New Jersey | $37,320 |
New York | $39,100 |
North Dakota | $32,490 |
Ohio | $41,520 |
Oklahoma | $33,250 |
Oregon | $36,920 |
Pennsylvania | $51,970 |
South Carolina | $28,330 |
South Dakota | $28,690 |
Tennessee | $25,570 |
Texas | $34,280 |
Washington | $28,070 |
West Virginia | $25,830 |
Wisconsin | $41,960 |
What Tools do Forest and Conservation Workers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Forest and Conservation Workers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- ESRI ArcGIS software
How do I Become a Forest and Conservation Worker?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Forest and Conservation Worker?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Forest and Conservation Worker?
Where Forest and Conservation Workers Work
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Forest and Conservation Worker might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Forest and Conservation Worker sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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