Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in West Virginia

Are you interested in a career as a forest and conservation technician but don’t know if it will be a good fit? It might be if you enjoy spending time in nature, want to be on the forefront of environmental protection and have an affinity for math and science.

Forest and conservation technicians work primarily under the supervision of foresters and environmental scientists to protect and preserve natural habitats. Job duties are many and will vary depending on the employer, but they might include regulation enforcement, prevention and suppression of forest fires, and education for both the public and industry leaders. Technicians might also assist scientists in data collection and compilation, and reforestation efforts.

West Virginia Forest and Conservation Technician Requirements

In general, forest and conservation technicians require an associate degree level of education, at minimum. In West Virginia, licensure is not required for forest and conservation technicians; however, those who wish to pursue a higher level of education and work as foresters, will need to obtain a license through the West Virginia Board of Registration for Foresters. Additional credentialing as a Certified Forester can be obtained through the Society of America Foresters (SAF). Certified Foresters require a baccalaureate level education or higher, preferably through an SAF-certified training program.

Training Programs in West Virginia for Forest and Conservation Technicians

Two colleges in West Virginia offer programs suitable for a career as a forest and conservation technician, one at an Associate of Applied Science level and the other at a Bachelor of Science level.

• Glenville State College in Glenville offers an Associate of Science in Forest Technology. The program boasts state-of-the-art facilities and 300 acres of surrounding forest. Lab experiences are developed to mimic real-world experience, with an on-site sawmill and timber harvesting equipment available for student use, as well as an array of hand tools, large equipment and field instruments. Many classes will give students opportunities to use global positioning system technology (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS). Students may choose to continue their education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management, which offers seven concentration areas: Applied Science, Energy and Land Management, Environmental Science, Criminal Justice, Forest Technology, Business Management and Land Surveying Technology.
• Davis and Elkins College in Elkins offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science with and interdisciplinary approach to understanding environmental problems and issues. Internships are available through The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Monongahela National Forest, the Fernow Experimental Forest, Canaan Valley national Wildlife Refuge and the Bowden Fish Hatchery.

Salary and Career Growth Projections

According to 2018 data from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average mean salaries for forest and conservation technicians were $19.76 hourly and $41,110 annually in the state.

In 2016, 70 forest and conservation technicians were employed in the state of West Virginia, with an estimated 70 also employed by the year 2026 for a projection of zero percent job growth. An average of 10 job openings in this field are projected annually. Nationwide, the projected job growth rate is 3.9 percent between the years 2016 and 2026 for this occupation.

Job Opportunities for Forest and Conservation Technicians in West Virginia

Forest and conservation technicians find employment in both the private and public sectors, working at a variety of jobs. Possible employers in West Virginia include the State Forest Service, the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, Penn West Trading, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and Integrity Tree Services.