How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Oklahoma

If you live in Oklahoma and enjoy being outdoors in the state’s forests and natural areas, consider starting a career in forest and conservation work. National, state and private forest and wooded areas need to be managed for resources and for conservation.

As a forest and conservation worker in Oklahoma you can expect to be a part of this important process. Some of the things you’ll do include identifying diseased trees or those that need to come down, treating diseased trees, planting new seedlings and clearing paths, trails and campsites. In other words, this is a career that will have you on your feet and outside all day on the job.

How to Get Started as a Forest and Conservation Worker

In Oklahoma, as in other states, you do not need to have a secondary education or any type of certification or license to be a forest and conservation worker. You should have your high school diploma or GED to land an entry- level job. Once you have a position, you will work under and be trained by either a forest technician or a forester.

Forestry and Conservation Programs in Oklahoma

While it’s possible to learn everything you need to know on the job as a forest and conservation worker, there are good reasons to seek out a post-secondary education before starting your career. The right program will provide you with foundational skills and knowledge and make it easier to find the job you want. With a degree, you will also have more opportunities to advance or move into other, related careers. There are a couple of programs to consider in Oklahoma:

• Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton. Eastern Oklahoma offers two different associate degree programs related to forestry, both of which take two years to complete. The forestry and natural resources management degree is a good stepping stone to either a career or a four-year program in forestry. The forestry technology degree is for students prepared to begin working right away after graduation. It will prepare you to be a forest and conservation worker or a forest technician.
• Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Miami. Another option you have in Oklahoma is the natural resources ecology and management program at Northeastern. Here you can earn a certificate or an associate’s degree. The certificate programs take less time to complete. This program offers a broader education in the management of natural resources but includes forestry topics.

Job Outlook and Salaries

As long as there are forests, conservation workers and technicians will be needed. Across the U.S. there is a decline in growth in forest and conservation work specifically, but in many states there are new jobs added each year. This includes Oklahoma, so with the right preparation and willingness to train, you should be able to find a job.

The U.S. average salary for a forest and conservation worker is just $27,460 per year, but it is higher in Oklahoma. Here you can expect to earn around $41,520 per year or $19.96 per hour. If you work up to becoming a forest technician, you may earn closer to $45,000 and up.

Forest and Conservation Work in Oklahoma

Whether you earn a degree or not, you have options for a career as a forest and conservation worker in Oklahoma. Employers include the federal or state government, which hire forest workers to manage government-owned areas of the state. Municipal governments also need forest workers for city-owned forests and parks. Private employers, such as tree farms or lumber companies, also hire workers to manage woodlands.

Wherever you work, keep in mind that this kind of job is physically demanding. You will be on your feet all day, walking, using heavy equipment and even being at risk for injury. But if you are up for the challenge and love to be outdoors, this could be a great career.