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Forest and Conservation Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipHigh pressure

What they do

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 and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $54,560 Median per year · $26.23/hr Most earn $40,330–$83,630

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
  • Provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys, or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.
  • Conduct laboratory or field experiments with plants, animals, insects, diseases, and soils.
  • Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.
  • Measure distances, clean sightlines, and record data to help survey crews.
  • Develop and maintain computer databases.

Job outlook

United States
2% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 3,800 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service65.9%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals16.6%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals7.7%
  • Social advocacy organizations2.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Forest and Conservation Technician is an entry-level job that usually needs a certificate or apprenticeship, not a four-year degree. Most people reach it within about 1 to 2 years after finishing high school, including training and some hands-on work.

  1. High school diploma plus a forestry or natural resources certificate

    1-2 years

    Finish high school, then complete a short certificate or apprenticeship in forestry, natural resources, or environmental technology to learn field skills like tree identification, mapping, and safety.

  2. Forest and Conservation Worker

    6 months to 1 year

    Work outdoors on planting, trail work, fire prevention, and other field tasks, building the hands-on experience and equipment skills that technicians need.

  3. Forest and Conservation Technician

    Ongoing once hired

    Collect and record forest data, help foresters and conservation scientists manage land, and train and lead field crews.

Where it can lead

  1. Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist

    2-4 years of experience first

    Shift focus to inspecting land and teaching people how to prevent wildfires, which requires strong knowledge of fire behavior and local regulations.

  2. First-Line Supervisor of Forestry Workers

    2-4 years of experience first

    Lead a crew day to day, handling scheduling, safety, and work quality, which means showing you can manage people as well as tasks.

  3. Forester

    1-2 years of experience after a bachelor's degree of experience first

    Plan and oversee forest management across larger areas. This usually requires a bachelor's degree in forestry or a related field, so it is a longer route.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, earth science, and mathThese classes build the science and measurement skills used in forest surveys and conservation work.
  • Join an environmental or outdoor clubClubs like FFA, 4-H, or a school environmental club teach teamwork and give you hands-on experience with land and animals.
  • Volunteer with a park, trail, or conservation groupHelping plant trees, clear trails, or count wildlife shows you what the work is really like and adds to your experience.
  • Look for a summer or part-time job outdoorsJobs with parks departments, landscaping companies, or farms build the field experience employers look for.

In college

  • Take forestry, ecology, or natural resources coursesCourses in forest ecology, soil science, GIS mapping, and dendrology give you the technical knowledge this job uses every day.
  • Apply for a seasonal forestry or conservation jobSeasonal crew work with a forest service, park, or conservation agency gives you the hands-on experience that often counts for more than grades.
  • Earn a first aid or wildland fire safety certificationCertifications show employers you can work safely outdoors, which is important for field technicians.
  • Join a student forestry or environmental clubClubs offer tree-identification practice, field trips, and contacts with working professionals who can give advice or job leads.
  • Learn GIS and data toolsBasic skills in mapping software and spreadsheets help you collect and report forest data accurately, a key part of the technician role.

Tips for getting started

  • Get outdoor experience early, such as summer jobs on trail crews, landscaping, or with a local park or conservation group. Employers often value field time as much as classroom learning.
  • Learn basic tools that technicians use, such as GPS devices, mapping software, and simple spreadsheets for recording data. These skills are useful in almost every job in this field.
  • Take a first aid or wilderness first aid course and learn chainsaw or equipment safety if your school or community offers them. Safety certifications can make you a stronger job candidate.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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