Forestry Tech Training And Jobs

About Forest And Conservation Technicians

Individuals who are employed in the forest and conservation field perform a variety of functions relating to the conservation of timberlands and maintenance of forest facilities such as roads and campsites. Some of these workers are directly involved in the planting or removal of trees. Others, known as Forest and Conservation Technicians, conduct specific tasks under the supervision of a Forester. These tasks are varied and include such things as compilation of data characterizing forest tracts, technical assistance on conservation of natural resources, and training of forest workers in fire prevention and suppression. Forest and conservation technicians typically work outdoors, often in woodlands or a forest setting.

Forest and Conservation Technician Responsibilities

Forest and conservation technicians have a wide variety of responsibilities. They usually work in a forest under the supervision of a forester, performing duties such as measuring timber, assisting in road building work, supervising harvesting operations, and identifying property lines. Many of their duties involve data gathering; they quite often collect information on species and numbers of trees, the level of disease or insect damage, tree seedling mortality, and forest conditions posing a potential fire hazard. They also actively train and lead other forest workers in activities such as planting tree seedlings, maintaining recreational facilities, and forest fire prevention and suppression. In addition, they sometimes help conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting land and wildlife habitats.

Although forest and conservation technicians make use of science and mathematics to improve processes in forest work, their jobs tend to be more hands-on than scientific. In carrying out their daily duties, technicians make use of various types of laboratory instruments, which they also need to maintain and take care of. They use these instruments to conduct experiments, for which the process involves making observations, doing calculations, recording results, and often developing conclusions. Technicians generally keep detailed logs of all of their work-related activities.

The scope of a forest and conservation technician's work responsibilities is wide. A partial list of some of the other things they do is as follows:

• Patrol forested areas to prevent damage to resources
• Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas
• Manage forest protection activities
• Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth
• Select and mark trees for thinning or logging
• Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors
• Enforce environmental protection regulations
• Keep records of the amount and condition of logs taken to mills
• Supervise forest operations
• Issue fire permits, timber permits and other forest use licenses
• Develop and maintain computer databases
• Measure distances and record data to help survey crews
• Provide forestry education and general information to the general public
• Conduct laboratory or field experiments with plants, animals, insects, soils, and diseases
• Provide technical support to forestry research programs
• Inspect trees and collect plant samples to locate insect and disease damage
• Install measuring instruments and collect record data from them to assist with watershed analysis

A large majority of forest and conservation technicians work outdoors, sometimes in remote places. The stress they face is usually of a physical, rather than mental or emotional, nature. Much of their time is spent performing physical activities. Technicians need to be wary of potential hazards associated with insects or plants. They also need to follow the proper safety procedures prescribed for outdoor work in woodland settings. Wild animals are always a potential threat for which any worker in these settings needs to be on the lookout. An increasing number of forest and conservation technicians now work in urban forestry and other nontraditional specialties. Technicians of this type, who focus on things like the study of individual trees in urban settings, work in cities instead of forests or rural areas.

Forest and conservation technicians need to have strong communication skills in order to be able to report their findings both orally and in writing. Technicians also need strong computer skills due to the fact that much of their work requires use of computers or computer-interfaced equipment. Additionally, good technicians have an aptitude for working well with others. Other important attributes required for the job include good organizational skills, an eye for detail, and the ability to interpret scientific results.

Employment Outlook

Due to general downsizing caused by budgetary constraints and reductions in timber harvesting on Federal lands, there is expected to be a decline in employment of forest and conservation technicians within the Federal Government in upcoming years. This effect is expected to carry over to state governments as well. However, the overall job outlook in the field is not quite as bleak considering new employment opportunities resulting from an increased emphasis on specific conservation issues such as environmental protection, water resources preservation, and control of invasive pests. Emerging specializations in the field such as urban forestry are also expected to result in new jobs. All things considered, employment prospects for forest and conservation technicians will grow, albeit at a slower than average rate compared to the average profession, over the upcoming decade.

Forest and Conservation Technician Education, Certification, and Licensing

When hiring forest and conservation technicians, employer preferences vary in terms of educational qualifications. Many employers prefer job candidates to have at least one or two years of specialized training. Some favor candidates with an associate's degree while some others prefer a bachelor's degree.

At the present time the Society of American Foresters accredits dozens of associate degree programs in forest technology. These programs are offered at technical and community colleges and a number of them are designed to provide easy transfer to a 4-year college or university. Technician training is generally offered at technical institutes although the type of training typically includes less theory than that offered at technical or community colleges. The length of programs at technical institutes varies, although certificate programs lasting one year and associate degree programs lasting two years are most common. Some schools offer cooperative-education programs or internships which allow students the opportunity to work locally while attending classes. Participation in such programs can significantly enhance a student's employment prospects.

Resources for Forest and Conservation Technicians

• American Forest & Paper Association
• American Loggers Council
• Forest Resources Association, Inc.
• USDA Forest Service
• National Resources Conservation Service
• National Association of Environmental Professionals
• National Park Service
• The National Forest
• U.S. Forest Service
• Society of American Foresters

Major Employers of Forest and Conservation Technicians

A very high percentage of forest and conservation technicians are employed in the public sector. Roughly 3 of every 4 of them work for the Federal Government. Another one in five work for state governments. The bulk of the rest are employed by professional, scientific, and technical firms; many of which are contracted to provide support to government agencies or to agriculture and forestry industries.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Forest And Conservation Technicians by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Forest And Conservation Technicians, along with salary data by industry.

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