What You Need to Know About Forest and Conservation Technician
Example of Conservation Technician Job 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.
Life As a Conservation Technician: What Do They Do?
- Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
- Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.
- Develop and maintain computer databases.
- Provide forestry education and general information, advice, and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations, and the general public.
- Inspect trees and collect samples of plants, seeds, foliage, bark, and roots to locate insect and disease damage.
- Issue fire permits, timber permits, and other forest use licenses.
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What a Conservation Technician Should Know
Forest and Conservation Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Forest Technician
- Timber Appraiser
- Grazing Aide
- Forestry Technician
- Conservationist
Job Outlook for Forest and Conservation Technicians
There were about 33,200 jobs for Forest and Conservation Technician in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Salary for a Conservation Technician
The average yearly salary of a Conservation Technician ranges between $26,600 and $57,700.
Forest and Conservation Technicians who work in Kansas, Pennsylvania, or Mississippi, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Forest and Conservation Technicians in different U.S. states.
| 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
Becoming a Conservation Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Forest and Conservation Technician?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Conservation Technician?
Where Forest and Conservation Technicians Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Forest and Conservation Technicians employed by various industries.
Related Careers
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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