Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Pennsylvania

Are you good at math and science? Do you enjoy being in nature? Do you wish you could be involved in the ongoing conservation of our natural resources? I so, you might consider a career as a forest and conservation technician.

Forest and conservation technicians assist foresters and scientists in the protection and maintenance of forests and related ecosystems. They are employed in a diverse cross section of jobs and perform many varied tasks including collecting and compiling data, mapping and patrolling forests, preventing and suppressing forest fires, reforesting and replanting trees, managing agricultural and forestry operations, enforcing regulations, supervising and harvesting timber and educating both industries and the public on environmental initiatives.

Regulations for Forest and Conservation Technician in Pennsylvania

Forest and conservation technicians must possess an Associate in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) in forestry or other conservation-related field. Although professional licensing is not required in Pennsylvania, those who wish for career advancement may pursue a higher degree and certification through the Society of American Forester’s (SAF) Certified Forester program. A candidate must possess a baccalaureate degree or higher, preferably from an SAF-certified program.

University Programs for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Pennsylvania

Several forestry programs exist in Pennsylvania for those interested in a career as a forest and conservation technician. These include but are not limited to:

• Penn State Mont Alto in Mont Alto offers an Associate in Applied Science in Forest Technology. It claims to have been the nation’s first public forest academy and is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Students will spend half of forest technology class time gaining hands-on experience in the forested areas near campus. The university boasts an 84 percent placement rate in forestry, arboriculture, utility forestry, forest industry or forestry-related jobs. Penn State Mont Alto also offers a two-plus-two program with Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Health and Human Development, allowing students to transfer to one of two choices: Forest Ecosystem Management or Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, respectively.
• Penn State DuBois has a three-plus-one program in Wildlife Technology. Students will earn both an associate’s degree in Wildlife Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science after transfer to Penn State’s University Park campus.
• Albright College in Reading offers a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. Students will gain hands-on knowledge in a variety of disciplines including animal and plant ecology, land management or hydrology. Faculty and students collaborate on ongoing research projects in topic areas such as wetland restoration, watershed studies, vertebrate ecology, land conservation and forest management. Albright takes an interdisciplinary approach to the program, allowing students to explore a wide variety of topics. Upon completion, students may wish to pursue careers in environmental research/technology and resource management or explore post graduate studies.

Salary and Job Growth Projections

In Pennsylvania, the 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics data show an annual average pay of $49,170 and an average hourly rate of $23.64.

In 2016, 940 forest and conservation technicians were employed in the state, with a projected increase to 970 by 2026 for a 3.2 percent change, slightly lower than the national growth rate of 3.9 percent projected for this field.

Employment Opportunities for Forest and Conservation Technician in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, forest and conservation technicians work in a myriad of industries including local, state and federal agencies as well as the private sector. Potential employers include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania’s State Civil Service Commission, Wildlife Specialists, LLC, Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, North East Hardwoods, Inc and Pine Creek Lumber.