Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Nebraska

Forest and conservation technicians do much of their work outdoors, assisting foresters and scientists with the preservation of forests and other natural environments. Those interested in pursuing a career in forest and conservation technology should possess a strong skill set in both math and science and be willing to spend time outdoors regardless of weather.

Forest and conservation technicians enjoy work in a myriad of industries, both public and private, including logging and timber harvesting operations, public parks and recreation organizations and environmental research agencies. Potential job duties include preventing and suppressing forest fires, issuing and enforcing permits, patrolling forests and other environments, educating both the public and industry leaders, surveying and mapping natural lands and participating in reforestation efforts.

Nebraska Requirements for Forest and Conservation Technicians

Forest and conservation technicians generally possess an Associate of Applied Science degree at minimum. Nebraska does not require licensure for forest and conservation technicians or foresters; however, those wishing to pursue additional credentials might consider applying for a Certified Forester designation through the Society of America Foresters (SAF). Certified foresters are considered an industry gold-standard, and possession of this accreditation could accelerate personal career development. To achieve a Certified Forester designation, a Bachelor of Science is required with preference given to applicants from SAF-certified Forestry programs.

Colleges for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Nebraska

In Nebraska, suitable programs are available for forest and conservation technicians at both the associate and bachelor degree levels. Curriculums are available at the following universities:

• Western Nebraska Community College offers an Associate of Science degree in Forestry. Students in the program will learn to analyze ecosystems and resources through a biological point of view, with emphasis on understanding the impact both humans and animals have within them. This program is offered on the college’s Scottsbluff Campus.
• Doane University in Crete offers Bachelor of Science degrees in both Environmental Studies and Environmental Science. Doane’s program was founded in 1974 and promises to provide students with a thorough knowledge of environmental topics. Environmental Studies concentrates on a broad, integrated understanding of the social, business, political, governmental and policy facets of the environment and their challenges. Environmental Science allows students to choose from one of six emphases: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Biology, Chemistry, Political Science and Policy, Computational Thinking and Science Teaching.
• Creighton University in Omaha offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Emphasis is placed on scientific inquiry with a multidisciplinary training offered to give students a solid background on scientific techniques. Students can specialize in one of three tracks including Environmental Policy and Society, Global and Environmental Systems or Organismal/Population Ecology. Graduates will have a good understanding of the issues facing our ecological resources and climate and their historical, political and sociological roots, as well as the impact of biological organisms on the environment.

Salary and Career Growth Potential in Nebraska

In 2016, 150 forest and conservation technicians were employed in Nebraska, with an estimated 170 to be employed by 2026 for a projected job growth rate of 13.3 percent. This compares very favorably to the national projected job growth rate of 3.9 percent for this occupation. An average of 20 positions open each year.

According to 2018 data from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage for forest and conservation technicians in Nebraska is $21.63 per hour, with an annual mean income of $44,990.

Opportunities for Forest and Conservation Technicians In Nebraska

Potential employers for forest and conservation technicians in Nebraska include Nebraska State Government, the U.S. Forest Service, Expel, the National Wild Turkey foundation and Tetra Tech., Inc.