Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Idaho

Do you enjoy working outside and have an interest in the natural sciences? Then you should consider becoming a forest and conservation technician. As a technician, you’ll be involved in a wide variety of projects that protect and maintain the forests and rangelands of Idaho. Working under a head forester or scientist, you will carry out research and assist with projects across the state.

What does a forest and conservation technician do? There are many possibilities, depending upon your skills and education. You may take measurements of trees and conduct vegetation surveys, or collect samples of plants, soil or water for analysis. Many technicians use technology such as GPS or other geographic information systems (GIS) in their work. As a forest and conservation technician, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping the forests of Idaho healthy and productive for generations to come.

Requirements for Forest and Conservation Technicians

Forest and conservation technicians are often trained on the job, but most have at least an associate’s (AS) degree in forestry, conservation or resources management prior to beginning entry-level work. Once you have settled into a career path, you may decide to pursue your bachelor’s(BS) degree to move up to higher positions.

Educational Programs in Idaho

Completing a two-year AS degree program can help you gain the skills needed for working as a forest and conservation technician. Some options in Idaho include:

• North Idaho College (NIC). NIS has a combination forestry/wildlife/range management program that is ideal for future forest and conservation technicians. At NIC, you will get a basic general education and take courses to train you on the science of forestry, conservation and resources management. Your courses will be tailored to your interests and career goals, and may be planned with the transfer to a four-year program in mind. They offer schedules for both full- and part-time students.
• Central Oregon Community College (COCC). If you live near the Idaho-Oregon border, COCC might offer the most convenient program for you. Located in high desert town of Bend, Oregon, many Idaho residents are enrolled at COCC. Their forest resources technology program trains you for a future as a technician in forestry, conservation, wildlife management, hydrology or natural resources management. Upon completion of the program, COCC offers job placement services throughout the region in both the public and private sectors.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that there were 2,140 forest and conservation technicians in Idaho in 2018. They made an average of $18.24 per hour or about $37,950 annually. This is slightly below the national average for technicians. However, Idaho has the third-highest employment rate for forestry and conservation technicians, so you know your services will be in demand.

Idaho expects the number of technicians to grow by 4.7 percent over the next seven years. There is an average of 260 job openings a year, so finding an entry-level position should not be too difficult.

Where You Might Find Work as a Forest and Conservation Technician

Forest and conservation technicians have a lot of opportunities in Idaho. You may specialize in wildfire management and help with prevention and reforestation efforts, or even work with a firefighting crew in the field. You might focus on wildlife management or watershed restoration, or work to maintain trails and recreational areas. As your experience increases, you may take on supervisory positions and oversee groups of forest and conservation workers and volunteers. Forest and conservation technicians often find employment in the private sector, or work with a government agency.