Forest and Conservation Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4071
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Keep records of the amount and condition of logs taken to mills.
• Manage forest protection activities, including fire control, fire crew training, and coordination of fire detection and public education programs.
• Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors.
• Perform reforestation or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement.
• Plan and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads.
• Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.
• Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.

Tools and technology

ESRI ArcGIS software, Facebook, Geographic information system GIS systems, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Aerial bucket trucks, Airboats

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Foresters
• Range Managers
• Forest and Conservation Workers
• Conservation Scientists
• Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
• First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Forest and Conservation Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.