Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Vermont

If you enjoy working outdoors and spending time in nature, a career as a forest and conservation technician might be a good fit. Forest technicians assist in the management and conservation of forests and related natural resources. In Vermont, this includes management of watersheds, timber, wildlife and biodiversity. Technicians will collect data and monitor conservation efforts. They may be involved in controlled burns, planting seedlings, regulation of resources or training efforts for the public or other professionals.

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Requirements for a Career in Forestry

Forestry students should be adept in math and science and be willing to spend a lot of time outdoors. To become a forest and conservation technician in Vermont requires at least an Associate in Applied Science(A.A.S.) degree in Forestry. A candidate may also wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Forestry.

Vermont

To become a forest and conservation technician, you must first complete a training program and obtain either an A.A.S or a B.S. degree. Two Vermont schools offer Forestry programs, one in Burlington in the northeast portion of the state, and the other in Randolph Center in central Vermont.

  • The University of Vermont (UVM) in Burlington offers a B.S. in Forestry. UVM’s Rubenstein School of Forestry is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and allows students to gain field experience on university property, including four research forests and 10 natural areas.
  • Vermont Technical College’s (VTS) Randolph Center Campus, located in Randolph, VT, offers an A.A.S. in Forestry with the option to transfer to UVM to complete a bachelor’s degree. VTS also offers courses in diesel mechanics, welding, hydraulics and electrical engineering, which can be taken as electives.

    • Vermont Licensing

    Vermont does not require licensing for forest and conservation technicians; however, the state does require licensing for foresters as of July 1, 2016. For those wanting to advance in their careers andpursue becoming a forester, certification is obtained through the Society of American Foresters (SAF)through training, the length of which is determined by the type of degree earned, and an examination. In Vermont, there are four pathways to becoming a licensed Forester:

    1. Earn a B.S. (or higher) in Forestry, complete two years of the SAF certification program and complete the certification exam

    2. Earn a B.S. (or higher) in a Forestry related field, complete three years of the SAF certification program and complete the certification exam

    3. Earn an A.A.S. in a Forestry, complete four years of the SAF certification program and complete the certification exam

    4. Possess a valid license from a regulatory body in another state, territory or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia (may require additional testing and approval by the director)

    According to theBureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont employed approximately 80 forest and conservation technicians in 2018, with an hourly mean wage of $31.33 and yearly mean wage of $65,170.

    Nationwide, the largest percentage of forestry workers (by a large margin) are employed by the federal executive branch, followed by state governments, local governments, management, scientific and technical consulting services and social advocacy organizations.

    In Vermont, core science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs are expected to decline by 411 jobs from 2017 to 2026 (core jobs exclude data from healthcare fields). Vermont -specific data for forest and conservation technicians is unavailable; however, nationwide data cites an increase of 3.9 percent from 2016-2026.

    Forestry Career Opportunities in Vermont

    According to data from Vermont Technical College, Vermont has 4.5 million acres of forested land, with 19 percent of it publicly held. Forest and conservation technicians find jobs with local and state government agencies as well as private institutions. Technicians work as Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation employees, certified arborists or consultants. Consulting jobs are needed for wood manufacturers (sawmills), land trusts, nature conservatories, logging contractors or woodlot managers.

    Potential employers for forest and conservation technicians in Vermont include the State of Vermont, UVM, the federal government, Long Meadow Resource Management and Redstart Natural Resource Management.