Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Delaware

Delaware may be a small state but it has some important forests and trees. State forests, like Redden and Blackbird, urban areas and parks, and private woodlands all need workers to manage and maintain the trees and wildlife.

A forest and conservation technician is a professional who works under foresters and conservation scientists, often supervising forest and conservation workers. In this position you would be responsible for collecting data, analyzing information about forests and trees, helping foresters make decisions about removing trees and planting seedlings, and doing the actual work of treating, removing or adding trees to forests.

What You Need to Become a Forest Technician in Delaware

Delaware does not list any specific requirements for working as a forest and conservation technician, but most employers look for candidates who hold an associate’s degree in forest technology. A degree in a related field, like natural resources management, can also help land you a job. Because the growth in this field is slow, it is important to earn a degree to stand out among other job candidates.

Forest Technology and Conservation Programs in Delaware

There are no forest technology associate’s degree programs in Delaware, but you can choose from among some alternative and related options:

• Delaware Technical Community College, Dover, Georgetown, Stanton and Wilmington. Choose from among the school’s many campuses to study horticulture as you work toward a career in forest technology. An associate’s degree in horticulture will give you a good foundation in plant science.
• Delaware State University, Dover. In Dover you may choose to go for a four-year degree. DSU offers a degree in natural resources, which includes the management of trees and woodlands. A bachelor’s degree in natural resources will prepare you to work as a forest technician.
• The Delaware State Fire School, Dover. Also in Dover is the State Fire School, which has programs that will train you in firefighting and fire prevention and science. These are skills are needed in forest careers and could give you a leg up over other job candidates for forest technology positions.

Job Outlook and Salaries

There is no detailed information for job growth or salaries for Delaware forest and conservation technicians. But nationwide, the growth in these jobs is just about four percent. This is slower than average job growth but still leaves room for thousands of available positions throughout all states.

The average annual salary for forest and conservation technicians is $35,430, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You may earn more if you have specialized skills, such as forest firefighting.

Jobs for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Delaware

Delaware is small but covered with forests. From large state forests to urban parks, these woodlands need qualified workers for managing the natural resource. Government agencies are the primary employers for forest technicians. Look for jobs with the state of Delaware to help manage state forests and with municipal governments for urban forest technician positions. Logging companies, tree farms and other private owners of woodlands may also need technicians.

Jobs for forest and conservation technicians are rewarding but also physically demanding. Expect to be on your feet a lot, to work outdoors in all kinds of weather and to also use software to collect and analyze data. This work can be challenging, but it is also rewarding to be a part of protecting and managing the state’s much-loved forests.