Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in South Carolina

If you enjoy working outdoors and excel in math and science, you might enjoy a career as a forest and conservation technician. Forest and conservation technicians serve as technical assistants to foresters and environmental scientists. They may perform varying tasks depending on employment. Some of these may include enforcing regulations, preventing and fighting wildfires, issuing permits, assisting in harvesting, mapping forest lands, providing training and managing, improving and protecting wildlife habitats.

How to Become a Forest and Conservation Technician in South Carolina

Forest and conservation technicians in South Carolina require at least an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Upon completion of an associate’s level program, work will be supervised by a registered forester. If a candidate desires, they may further their career after six years of supervised work by pursuing licensure as a forester. This is achieved by passing the certified forester exam administered by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), then completing a South Carolina Forestry Specific exam. More information regarding licensure can be found at South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Universities Offering Coursework for Forest and Conservation Technicians

South Carolina offers a broad range of educational opportunities for forest and conservation technicians at the associate’s, bachelor’s and even master’s degree levels. Schools in which a candidate might pursue an education include:

• Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) in Conway offers an associate’s degree in Forestry Management Technology. The program is a candidate for accreditation by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and offers students the opportunity to certify in TOP logger, South Carolina Commercial Pesticide License, First Aid and CPR. HGTC also offers a Wildlife Management path as a concentration within the Forestry Management program. Students will be prepared for entry-level positions with federal natural resources agencies, state forestry and wildlife departments, pulp and timber companies, consulting foresters and other industries where forest management is needed.
• Clemson University in Clemson offers a bachelor’s degree in Forest Resource Management, which is accredited by the SAF. Clemson boasts 17,500 acres of forest within walking distance of campus, which is dedicated to research, training and education. Clemson promises students will gain a broad understanding of forest work and forest ecosystems, including their effects on wildlife, recreation, soil, water and communities. Hands-on learning and research give students a unique opportunity to learn in the natural environment.
• Newberry College in Newberry offers a three-plus-two program with Duke University in Durham, NC, allowing students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years. Students will complete a core curriculum of biology, chemistry, mathematics and economics while attending Newberry. Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment focuses on sustainability, boasting a staff of celebrated professionals with whom students will collaborate and learn leadership skills.

Salary and Career Information

Forest and conservation technicians in South Carolina make an average hourly salary of $21.87 and an average annual salary of $45,500. This compares favorably to a national mean yearly income of $33,200.

South Carolina employed 210 forest and conservation workers in 2018. The field is expected to grow at a rate of 3.8 percent from 2016-2026,with 30 new job openings per year, on par with the national average job growth of 3.9 percent.

What Jobs are Available for Forest and Conservation Technicians in South Carolina?

South Carolina forest and conservation technicians are employed in a variety of private and public sector jobs. Potential employers include South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Forestry Commission, USDA Forest Service, American Forest Management, USDI National Park Service, South Carolina Parks, Recreation Tourism, Georgia Pacific Corporation, Bigman & Associates, Resource Solutions Incorporated and WestRock.