Forest and Conservation Technicians
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Much of the work is outdoors on forest land, rangeland, or in parks: thinning and spacing trees, controlling weeds and undergrowth with hand tools or chemicals, and patrolling to protect resources. Crews get trained and led through seasonal jobs such as planting seedlings, putting out forest fires, and keeping recreational sites in order. The role also includes mapping tract data with digital systems and explaining or enforcing rules on fire safety, resource use, and environmental protection. Suits people who like physical, outdoor work, leading seasonal crews, and mixing field labor with basic mapping and regulation.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$54'560
Median Wage Market Position
$54'560
What you might do
- Thin trees and control weeds and undergrowth
- Lead crews planting seedlings and fighting fires
- Patrol forests and parks to protect resources
- Explain and enforce fire and land-use rules
- Map forest tracts with digital mapping systems
- Assist scientists managing rangeland and wildlife habitat
Skills that matter
- Listening to foresters' field instructions
- Deciding how to thin and space trees
- Reading fire-safety and resource-use rules
- Briefing crews on planting and fire work
- Planning patrols and seasonal fieldwork
- Tracking how crews finish assigned work
AI & the future of this role
Trail work, fire-prevention support, and habitat checks keep much of the job outdoors and hands-on, where robots and remote tools still struggle. Software may speed up data logging and mapping, yet on-site observation and physical conservation tasks should continue to anchor demand.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details