Forest and Conservation Workers: Schools and Careers

Forest And Conservation Workers - Career Information

Forest and Conservation Workers

Forest and conservation workers perform manual labor tasks to develop, protect and maintain forests, forested areas and woodlands. They help to control soil erosion, they grow and plant new seedlings and protect trees from insects and diseases. Forest and conservation workers also maintain forest facilities including campsites and roads. They also remove debris and brush from camp trails. Some forest workers are responsible for cleaning restrooms and kitchens at campgrounds and recreational facilities.

Some forest workers are employed by private industry. Some forest and conservation personnel work at tree farms and plant, cultivate and harvest a variety of trees. Other workers collect items from woodlands including moss, tree cones, decorative greens, tree bark and other types of plant life. Some forest workers tap trees for sap which is used to produce syrup or chemicals.

Some of the common job titles include seedling pullers, forester aides, forestry support specialist, reforestation worker and tree planter.

Responsibilities

• Grow and plant new seedlings
• Combat insects and pests and diseases that harm trees
• Make sure equipment is operating properly
• Fight forest fires or perform burning tasks under the supervision of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians
• Construct water control and erosion structures
• Identify diseased or undesirable trees
• Select and cut trees
• Use insecticides to destroy insects
• Use herbicides to reduce unwanted competing vegetation
• Thin and space trees utilizing power thinning saws

Job Characteristics

Forest and conservation jobs are typically physically demanding. Forest and conservation workers spend most of their time outdoors and sometimes work in poor weather conditions. Sometimes they may have to walk long distances to perform their tasks. They should adhere to appropriate safety measures.

They should be in good health. They need to be able to work as part of a team. Coordination and mechanical aptitude are necessary for those that operate equipment and machinery.

Employment Outlook

Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow by 9 percent between 2008 and 2018 which is as fast as average for all occupations. More jobs will be created as more land is set aside to protect natural resources. Additional jobs may be created in order to help prevent destructive fires by thinning forests and by performing controlled burns. In addition, the median hourly wage in 2008 for forest and conservation workers was $10.98.

Advancement generally occurs by acquiring a bachelor's degree in forestry or a related subject. A bachelor's degree may qualify candidates to become a forester.

Approximately 58 percent of forest and conservation workers are employed by the government, primarily at the state and local level. People working in forest management services may work on a contract basis for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.

Every state has forest and conservation workers, however employment for these workers is concentrated in the West and the Southeast. The seasonal demand for these workers varies by region and the time of year.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Generally, forest and conservation workers need a high school diploma. Since many forest worker positions provide only seasonal employment during the warm weather periods, students are often employed to perform short-term labor intensive tasks. Many states have forest and conservation worker training programs. The programs usually occur in the field through programs such as Sustainable Forest Initiative.

A number of community colleges and technical schools offer two year degrees in forest management technology, forest harvesting, conservation and wildlife management. Some education programs include field trips that let student observe or participate in forestry or logging tasks.

Resources

• Forest Resources Association
• American Forest and Paper Association

Major Employers

The major employment sectors are state governments, local governments, forestry, sawmills and wood preservation, social advocacy organizations and vocational rehabilitation services.

Schools for Forest And Conservation Workers are listed in the column to the left.

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

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

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.