Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Washington

If you are interested in using scientific techniques to measure and protect the natural lands in Washington, then you should consider becoming a forest and conservation technician. As a technician, you will work under the supervision of head foresters and other researchers to collect data and carry out projects throughout the state.

Technicians use their skills to take surveys of plants and animals, collect samples of soil and water and generally help maintain the health and productivity of public lands. As entry-level technicians gain experience and education, they often advance to higher positions and may supervise other technicians or forest and conservation workers in the field.

Requirements for Forest and Conservation Technicians in Washington

Forest and conservation technicians must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. While there are no formal requirements for higher education, it is much easier to gain employment as a technician if you have at least an associate’s degree (AS) in forestry or a related subject. Many positions give preference to applicants with a bachelor’s degree (BS), although prior experience working in forestry and conservation may be taken into consideration.

Educational Programs in Washington

Most forest and conservation technicians acquire their AS degree before applying for entry-level work, and many pursue their BS while working as a tech. While you will also receive on-the-job training, having a solid background in the science and methodology of forestry and conservation research will help you secure employment.

Some programs in Washington State include:

• Green River College (GRC). GRC offers several degree programs suitable for forest and conservation technicians. You may work toward an AS degree in forestry, or focus on natural resources and study geographic information systems (GIS), park management, water quality or forest fire management. GRC also has a four-year program in forest management if you prefer to pursue your BS degree. GRC is one of the less-expensive options in the state, and offers financial aid and job placement services to their students.
• Grays Harbor College (GHC). Located in Aberdeen, GHC has a two-year program for forest and conservation technicians. Their natural resources program is designed especially for future technicians and covers everything from basic forest science to GIS technology. Their small class sizes and personal attention help their students reach their maximum potential, and they do offer job placement services to their graduates.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 1,260 forest and conservation technicians in Washington in 2016. They made an average of $19.18 per hour or approximately $39,990 annually, which is slightly higher than the national average for this occupation.

The outlook for forest and conservation technicians in Washington looks stable for the next seven years. The field is expected to grow an additional 3.5 percent by 2026. There are around 170 job openings each year in this region, so there is a demand for new and experienced technicians.

Working as a Forest and Conservation Technician in Washington

Washington is a great place to live if you are a forest and conservation technician. They have some of the highest concentration of technicians in the country, especially in metropolitan areas of the state. You may find employment with your local or state governments or work for a federal agency like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Forest Service (FS). Other options include working for a private company or non-profit, or working in agriculture, logging, mining, cattle ranching or even for a fish hatchery.