Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Florida

In a state that’s nearly half-covered by forest, becoming a forest and conservation technician looks to be a good career move. Forest and conservation technicians are trained forestry professionals who assist foresters in maintaining, preserving and promoting natural forest growth and natural resources. They’re trained in mapping and scientific software as well as other technological aspects of forestry.

Forest technicians may compile field data of soil quality, insect life or plant disease. They train and lead forest and conservation workers in conservation activities, such as tree planting, fire prevention and the use of pesticides or herbicides. Sometimes they patrol park or wildlife areas. Most forest and conservation technicians are employed by the federal government, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The Track to Forest Technician

At a minimum, you need a high school diploma or GED to begin your career as a forest technician. Most jobs, however, require you to have at least two years of formal forestry-related education. Earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in forestry, conservation, natural resources or another related field will help you find more job opportunities.

Forestry Education Options

While two-year degrees and certificates are excellent ways to gain knowledge in the forestry field in a short amount of time, there aren’t many associate degrees in forestry available to Florida students. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree may be a better route in this state, because more forestry-related options are available. It’s also a great way to jump-start your forestry career and advance more quickly. Here are some study options for Florida students:

• University of Florida. The School of Forest Resources and Conservation at this Gainesville university offers two bachelor’s degrees that may be of use to forest technicians. The Forest Resources & Conservation major focuses on training in ecology and the management of ecosystems. The Natural Resource Conservation major allows students to tailor their studies to their career goals. Topics studied include plant identification, environmental policy and more. This major can also be pursued at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton, Florida.
• Nova Southeastern University. Located in Fort Lauderdale, this school offers a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. The program’s integrated studies include ecology of the local Everglades and geographical information systems. Sustainability of natural resources is the focus of the entire environmental science program. It also includes field studies and internships to prepare students for careers in forestry and conservation.

Florida is Ideal for Forestry Technicians

The job outlook for forest and conservation technicians in Florida is positive in comparison with other states. The Projections Managing Partnership predicts a 14 percent increase in Florida forestry technician employment by 2026.

Though Florida doesn’t currently have the highest employment levels for forest and conservation technicians, the pay rate for these specialists in Florida is exceptionally high, at $22.54 per hour. That’s almost five dollars higher than the U.S.-wide forestry technician median income of $17.37 per hour.

Where Forestry Technicians Work in Florida

Florida is home to 33 state forests and three national forests. According to the Florida Forestry Association, forest covers 17 million acres of land within the state. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service regularly hires Florida employees with forestry backgrounds to fill a number of positions.

On a state government level, you can be hired by the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The Forest Service employs over 1,250 people in over 90 different job classes. They service over one million acres of state forest land.

Florida Forest Service technicians can work in either rural or urban settings. Some work to prevent, contain and extinguish forest fires. Forestry technicians who work for the Florida Forest Service are often offered opportunities for career advancement. With such a positive outlook for forest and conservation technicians in the state, becoming a technician is a smart career move, especially if you like being outdoors.