Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Massachusetts

Becoming a forest and conservation technician requires a good base in math and science and a willingness to spend a lot of time outdoors. If you enjoy spending time in the natural environment, it might be a good career choice for you.

Forest and conservation technicians work to assist foresters and scientists in their work to maintain and protect forest ecosystems. A forest and conservation technician may find employment in a variety of industries, both public and private. Possible job duties are many and varied but could include preventing and suppressing forest fires, regulating permits, collecting data, patrolling and mapping forests, ensuring regulation compliance, reforesting, performing experiments, training other industry workers, educating the public and maintaining recreational facilities.

Requirements for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, forest and conservation technicians require an Associate in Applied Science degree at minimum. Those wishing to pursue career advancement may apply for licensure with the state of Massachusetts’ Forestry Licensing Board. Some may also pursue certification through the Society of American Foresters (SAF). SAF-certified foresters are required to have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Degree Programs for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, an Associate in Applied Science Degree in a forest and conservation-related field is not available without leaving state. However, other options are available, including:

• Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges offers a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) starter program for students wishing to pursue a STEM career. STEM Starter Academy is available at many locations throughout the state. Campuses offering this program are as follows: Berkshire Community College, Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, MassBay Community College, Massasoit Community College, Middlesex Community College, Mt. Wachusett Community College, North Shore Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Quinsigamond Community College, Roxbury Community College and Springfield Technical Community College. The program promises to allow students to explore STEM careers, gain classroom experience and prepare students for success in STEM majors.
• University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation. Natural Resources Sciences (NRC) students integrate training in social sciences and conservation with hands-on skills, with a focus on biological diversity and the safeguarding of the natural resources that support human communities. NRC students may choose to focus on one of six concentrations: Environmental Conservation, Fisheries Ecology and Conservation, Forest Ecology and Conservation, Urban Forestry and Arboriculture, Water Resources or Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Specialized training will be provided to prepare students for employment in their respective specialties. Students will have access to field work through summer jobs, internships and cooperative education positions. The program provides a strong concentration in math and science in combination with specialized training and promises to prepare students to live a sustainable lifestyle and become strong advocates for environmental stewardship.

Career and Salary Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for forest and conservation technicians in Massachusetts in 2018 was $22.85, and the average yearly salary was $47,530.

Job growth rate projections for the years 2016-2026 show a national projected growth of 3.9 percent for this field. In comparison, Massachusetts employed 150 forest and conservation technicians in 2016 and is projected to employ 160 in 2026, for a growth rate of 6.7 percent, a favorable comparison to the U.S. as a whole.

Possible Employers for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Massachusetts

Forest and conservation technicians in Massachusetts find employment in varied varity of industries, both public and private. Potential employers include but are not limited to Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, ACRT, East Meadow Enterprises, National Environmental Law Center, American Farmland Trust, Environment America and TerraCorps.