Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Washington, D.C.

If you have an interest in forestry, wildlife or natural resources management, then you might consider a career as a forest and conservation technician. As a technician in Washington D.C., your work will help preserve and maintain the natural resources in and around the nation’s capital city. Technicians provide critical support to head foresters and research scientists in the field, and may advance to supervisory positions themselves.

Forest and conservation technicians in Washington, D.C. may work on many types of projects throughout the region. Given its proximity to the Potomac River, water and soil conservation is a local priority. You may assist with collecting samples for analysis or helping to replant areas along a riverside or watershed. Other technicians may work to survey wildlife or measure trees and forest vegetation. Some technicians specialize in fire prevention and recovery, and work directly with firefighting crews. Washington D.C. is also an ideal place for technicians with an interest in environmental policy, since many conservation organizations are headquartered in the area.

Requirements for Forest and Conservation Technicians

Forest and conservation technicians should have at least a few years of experience working in the field and be familiar with surveying techniques and technologies like GPS and geographic information systems (GIS). Preference is often given to applicants with at least an associate’s degree(AS) in forestry, conservation or natural resources management, and higher-level positions may require a bachelor’s degree (BS).

Educational Programs in Washington, D.C.

Getting your associate’s degree will help you develop the basic skills needed to be employed as an entry-level forest and conservation technician. Some options in the Washington, D.C. area include:

• Allegany College of Maryland (ACM). ACM has an AS degree program in forest technology that is accredited by the Society of American Foresters, one of only 22 accredited programs in the nation. This program is specifically designed for future forest and conservation technicians. At ACM, you will learn the skills needed to conduct forest research. You’ll get training in the field and hands-on experience conducting research, surveying forests, measuring property boundaries and determining the health of a forest stand. You’ll also learn to evaluate the populations of fish and other wildlife. This program includes an eight-week internship, and job placement services are provided for their graduates.
• Virginia Western Community College (VWCC). If you’re interested in the conservation and utilization of natural resources, then consider the Integrated Environmental Studies program at VWCC. This AS degree program gives you a basic scientific foundation and prepares you for work in the field as a forestry and conservation technician. You may focus on renewable energies such as wind or solar power, or specialize in water science or resources management. VWCC is part of the Virginia Community College system, and this makes it very easy to transfer your credits to another local community college or an in-state, four-year BS program.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment data for forest and conservation technicians in Washington, D.C., they do collect this data for the entire region. The Washington, D.C./Arlington/Alexandria metropolitan area is the third-highest paying region in the country for conservation techs. Technicians in Virginia earned an average of $20.23 per hour in 2018, and those in Maryland report an average of $20.92 per hour. The national average is $18.84, so you will likely earn more than that as a tech in Washington D.C.

It is difficult to estimate the demand for technicians in Washington, D.C. as well. In 2016, there were 190 techs in Maryland and 290 in Virginia. While the number of technicians in Maryland was expected to decrease by 5.3 percent, Virginia anticipates an increase of 6.9 percent in the next seven years. If you are willing to commute out of the District for work, then you should be able to find employment in the region.

Finding Employment as a Forest and Conservation Technician in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a surprisingly good place to begin working as a forest and conservation tech, especially if you plan to advance to higher positions or enter government service. You may find employment with the federal government or one of their agencies in Washington, D.C. There are many national parks and historic locations near the District that hire technicians. Other options include working with the Smithsonian Museum or at the headquarters of a conservation organization like the Nature Conservancy. The District is also within easy driving distance of many forests, lakes and rivers in the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia. If you don’t have any success finding a position in Washington, D.C. itself, take a look at jobs in the surrounding states.