How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Oregon

If you enjoy hiking, camping and other outdoor activities, you should consider becoming a forest conservation worker. Conservation workers and technicians do a variety of tasks that help protect and maintain our public lands. Your work may include fire prevention, restoring habitats through the removal of invasive plants or animals, maintaining hiking trails and helping researchers in the field.

As a forest conservation worker in Oregon, you will likely need to travel seasonally and spend at least some of your time living in the rural parts of the state. Some positions may offer temporary housing or require you to camp for an extended amount of time. You will be outside in all conditions and may not have access to modern amenities. If this sounds like a dream job, then you may be an ideal forest conservation worker.

Requirements for Forest Conservation Workers and Technicians in Oregon

Many forest conservation workers and technicians in Oregon receive on-the-job training, but you will need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Many positions require a valid driver’s license as well. These jobs are often physically demanding, so you will need to be in good shape and be able to bend, lift and carry equipment through the woods.

Educational Programs in Oregon

While there are no formal education requirements for working as a forest conservation worker, you may find it easier to improve your job prospects if you take some classes in resource conservation, water science or forestry. Many forest conservation workers go on to pursue higher degrees or specialize in a particular field of study.

Some of the programs offered in Oregon include:

• Central Oregon Community College (COCC). Located in the high desert town of Bend, COCC has a forest resources technology program that is ideal for budding conservation workers and technicians. Their program trains students for entry-level work in all aspects of forest conservation. Once your area of interest is identified, COCC will help you plan your courses so you can take the path that is right for your career aspirations.
• Oregon State University (OSU). OSU has one of the largest undergraduate programs for forestry science in the state. At their College of Forestry, you can pursue your bachelor’s degree while learning about conservation, forest management and general forest operations. You will get hands-on experience in the field and learn many techniques for surveying and restoring habitats. OSU offers financial aid and job placement services for their graduates.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 2,430 workers and 2,110 technicians in Oregon employed in forest conservation in 2016. While the field isn’t expected to expand greatly over the next seven years, the state usually has around 250 to 400 positions to fill each year, so there is a consistent demand for new, entry-level employees.

In 2018, forest conservation workers in Oregon brought in an average of $17.75 per hour, and technicians an average of $19.47 per hour. The rates vary around the state, with the highest reported salaries in the central Oregon city of Corvallis, where the median income for a forestry technician is $24.32 per hour.

Working as a Forest Conservation Worker or Technician in Oregon

Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest as a whole, is a great region to live if you are interested in forest conservation. More than 53 percent of the land in Oregon is managed by the federal government, most of it by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS). State and local governments manage another 3 percent of public lands. As a forest conservation worker in Oregon, you have the option of working for the federal, state or local government or working for a non-profit or other private organization.