Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands have a unique ecosystem and diverse habitats that require careful management. If you are interested in protecting the native plants and animals of Hawaii, then you should consider becoming a forest and conservation technician. These technicians work under the supervision of head foresters and scientists to carry out projects and collect data on the health and productivity of the island’s forests.

As a forest and conservation technician in Hawaii, your work may vary greatly depending upon your assignment. Hawaii’s forests are extremely sensitive to invasive species, and many projects focus on surveying or removing these pests from the islands. You may collect samples of water, soil or plants for analysis, tag and release wildlife or use GPS and other geographic information systems to map out areas of the islands. Skilled forest and conservation technicians play a critical role in protecting the natural resources of Hawaii and keeping the island economically productive for future generations.

Requirements for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Hawaii

While there are few formal requirements for forest and conservation technicians in Hawaii, preference is usually given to candidates with a two- or four-year degree in tropical ecology. You should be familiar with the native plants and animals on the island, and have a good working knowledge of survey techniques used to measure them. Many of these positions are seasonal and may require you to relocate for work.

Educational Programs in Hawaii

It is best to acquire your associate’s degree (AS) or bachelor’s degree (BS) in tropical forest management, conservation or a related subject before applying as an entry-level technician. Some programs you may consider in Hawaii include:

• Hawai’i Community College. Located in Hilo, on the island of Hawai’i, this community college has one and a two-year programs ideal for forest and conservation technicians. Their tropical forest ecosystem and agroforestry management (TEAM) program offers both a certificate and an AS degree pathway, depending on your interests. You will learn to actively manage the state’s unique ecosystems, sustainably grow native plants and work with agroforestry operations. The TEAM program provides students with hands-on field experience and offers internships and on-the-job training with possible employers.
• Leeward Community College. If you live on the island of O’ahu, you should consider studying at Leeward. Their AS degree program in natural science provides a good foundation for future forest and conservation technicians. You will learn how to collect and analyze data, and how to effectively communicate scientific ideas and principles. Alternatively, if you have a strong interest in native agriculture, you might prefer the AS degree program in plant biology and tropical agriculture. In that program you’ll learn about plant physiology, water and soil science while growing a crop in the field from seed to harvest. Both programs offer financial aid and job placement services to their graduates.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 130 forest and conservation technicians employed in Hawaii in 2016. While the field is not expected to expand in the next seven years, there are approximately 20 openings a year for technicians. Given that Hawaii is the 11^th-least populated state in the union, you have a good chance of securing at least seasonal employment.

While Hawaii has not reported salary information specifically for forest and conservation techs, the average wage for these technicians in the U.S. is $18.84 per hour, or approximately $39,180 per year.

Forest and conservation workers in Hawaii, who work under the supervision of forest technicians, earned an average of $19.14 per hour in 2018, and biological technicians averaged $17.82 per hour. Agriculture and food science technicians reported an average wage of $21.50 per hour. It is likely that the salary for an entry-level forest and conservation tech will be in a similar range.

Finding Jobs as a Forest and Conservation Technician in Hawaii

There are a lot of places you might find employment as a forest and conservation technician in Hawaii. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife is often looking for technicians, and you may find work through federal agencies as well. Some technicians work for private industries, especially as they advance their careers. While there is little mining activity on the islands, there are many large agricultural businesses that are critical to the economy of the state. Growers of pineapples, macadamia nuts, coconuts and native wood products often work with technicians to balance the needs of the environment and economy.