Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in New Mexico

In a state with 24.8 million acres of forest land, much of it mountainous, those in New Mexico who want to become forest and conservation technicians are in the right place. Specializing in the protection and restoration of forest land and natural resources, forest and conservation technicians work as part of a forestry team including foresters, conservation scientists and forest and conservation workers.

Tasks commonly performed by forest technicians include data collection, tree measurement and cutting, and training conservation workers on the job. Some forest technicians train to fight and prevent forest fires, especially in New Mexico. These professionals are mainly employed by national, state and local government forestry agencies, but also by private forestry organizations and owners. Forty-four percent of New Mexico forest land is privately owned, and 31 percent is regulated by the USDA Forest Service.

Career Path Basics

To get a job as a forest and conservation technician, it’s essential to earn a two-year associate’s degree in forestry, conservation, horticulture or another related field. Study in these topics will teach you the essential conservation and science skills necessary to perform the job. You’ll also learn the important technical skills that aren’t taught on the job. After you finish school, you can begin searching for your first job. If you choose to pursue a four-year degree, you may be able to start looking for work two years into the program, once you’ve learned enough skills for the job.

Where to Study

Here are some schools in New Mexico that offer forestry and conservation programs:

• Northern New Mexico College. Based in Espanola, this school offers an Associate of Applied Science in Pre-Forestry. The program provides entry-level skills for employment in the forestry world. After completion of the program, graduates have taken the coursework necessary to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree in the forestry field. It takes a total of 68 credit hours to complete the Science in Pre-Forestry program. Study includes forest measurement, ecology, soil and watershed management.
• Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso Campus. This branch of Eastern New Mexico University offers associate degrees in both Wildlife Fire Science and Natural Science with an emphasis on Wildlife and Conservation Ecology. The Wildfire Fire Science program is also available in a shorter, certificate of completion program that lasts one year. Its curriculum includes basic and intermediate wildlife fire skills, foundational forest science courses and general education requirements. The program is endorsed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

A Closer Look at Forest Technicians in New Mexico

What does the future hold for New Mexico forest and conservation technicians, and what do they earn? The Projections Managing Partnership reported 820 forest and conservation technicians employed in New Mexico in 2016. That number is expected to grow slightly, with an employment growth rate of 2.9 percent predicted by 2026. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS), the median income of New Mexico forest and conservation technicians in 2018 was $16.06 per hour. Increased education and experience leads to higher job placement and income levels.

Where to Find Work

When considering where to look for work as a forest and conservation technician in New Mexico, look at where these professionals are mainly employed. The highest number of forest and conservation technicians in the state worked in the northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area in 2018. This area also had the highest employment density per 1,000 jobs.

Forest and conservation technician pay is evenly distributed across the state, with each area reporting a median income of around $16 per hour. Remember to follow the forests—meaning wherever you can find forest land, there are probably forestry job opportunities.