Careers · Explore one path
Forest and Conservation Technicians
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.
Other titles employers use
Biological Science Aide · Forest Technician · Forestry Aide · Forestry Technician (Forestry Tech) · Resource Technician · Timber Appraiser · Forestry Technician · Natural Resources Technician
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
5 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
- Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
- Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
- Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
- Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
Subjects to know
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Written Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.7 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.5 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.7 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 35%
- A two-year degree 35%
- A certificate or some college 15%
- A four-year degree 14%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Geographic information system
- Presentation software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Web platform development software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 6,500
- Job openings each year
- 790
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 1.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,500 | 790 | 1.6% |
| Idaho | 2,110 | 260 | 1.4% |
| Oregon | 2,090 | 250 | — |
| Colorado | 1,720 | 210 | 6.2% |
| Montana | 1,560 | 190 | 8.3% |
| Washington | 1,340 | 170 | 4.7% |
| Utah | 1,150 | 140 | 9.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,000 | 120 | 2.0% |
| North Carolina | 720 | 90 | 4.3% |
| Minnesota | 700 | 90 | 4.5% |
| Wisconsin | 700 | 90 | 2.9% |
| New Mexico | 680 | 80 | −2.9% |
| Texas | 680 | 90 | 13.3% |
| Nevada | 670 | 80 | 11.7% |
| Wyoming | 570 | 70 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 520 | 60 | 2.0% |
| Illinois | 490 | 60 | 2.1% |
| Iowa | 480 | 60 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 450 | 60 | 12.5% |
| Tennessee | 450 | 60 | 9.8% |
| Arizona | 430 | 50 | 2.4% |
| Virginia | 430 | 50 | 4.9% |
| South Dakota | 420 | 50 | 2.4% |
| South Carolina | 350 | 40 | 9.4% |
| Alaska | 340 | 40 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 310 | 40 | 3.3% |
| Florida | 300 | 40 | 11.1% |
| Alabama | 260 | 30 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | 250 | 30 | — |
| Kentucky | 250 | 30 | — |
| Mississippi | 210 | 30 | 5.0% |
| Missouri | 200 | 30 | 5.3% |
| North Dakota | 170 | 20 | 6.3% |
| West Virginia | 160 | 20 | — |
| Nebraska | 150 | 20 | — |
| Oklahoma | 140 | 20 | — |
| New Hampshire | 130 | 20 | 8.3% |
| Louisiana | 120 | 10 | — |
| Maryland | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Indiana | 100 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 60 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 50 | 10 | — |
| Maine | 40 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 504
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 471
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 338
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Vermont
- Degrees each year
- 256
- Admit rate
- 60%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Degrees each year
- 205
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 256
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 258
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 220
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000