How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Washington, D.C.

If you live in Washington D.C. and enjoy working outdoors and taking care of the environment, you might enjoy a career as a forest and conservation worker. Forest and conservation workers work under the direction of forest technicians or foresters to monitor, restore and protect forests. Typical duties of forest and conservation workers include planting new trees, examining plants and trees for disease and trying to prevent damage, clearing debris, applying insecticides and pesticides, collecting data and preventing and suppressing fires.

About 19 percent of the total area of the federal district is covered in parkland. Washington, D.C. is also third in the nation for park access and quality, so this makes the community an excellent place to work as a forest and conservation worker.

The Steps to Becoming a Forest or Conservation Worker

The first step to becoming a forest and conservation worker in D.C. is to have a high school diploma or GED. Some employers may also require a valid driver’s license, especially if travel is mandatory for the job. If you are only planning to work as an entry-level forest worker, and not to advance to a career as a forest technician or forester, you don’t have to take any post-secondary education. You will receive any training that you need on the job. If you do plan on advancing, though, or you would like to have an edge on other job applicants in your field, then consider completing at least a two-year educational program in forestry or a related major.

Forestry Programs in and around D.C.

Taking courses in any outdoor-related field can help you to work in this career. However, focusing on forestry, wildlife and forest management or something similar will help you, especially if you are planning on going further in the field. Programs lengths range from two to four years. There are limited options available in D.C., but you may also consider attending a program in the nearby state of Maryland, including:

• University of the District of Columbia. Located in D.C., this school offers students a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Sustainability. Those specifically interested in forestry should consider adding a Professional Science Master’s degree in Urban Agriculture, Urban Sustainability or Water Resources Management. Coursework includes general education classes, electives and environmental studies classes.
• Towson University. At Towson University in Maryland, students can major in Biology, with a focus on Organismal Biology and Ecology Concentration. They can then choose a track in either Botany or Zoology. This is a four-year program. Coursework includes general education and electives, and several science classes and labs.

Income and Job Outlook for Washington, D.C.

The Projections Managing Partnership reports that the overall growth of forest and conservation workers will decline nationally over the next few years, but only by two percent. There is not any specific information listed for forest and conservation workers in D.C., as far as projected job growth or decline.

Forest and conservation workers in the federal district make a decent wage. Workers in D.C. make the second-highest annual and mean hourly wage for this occupation in the United States. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly salary was $24.42 in 2018. That same year, the annual mean wage for this job was $50,800. The top earners in the district can make up to $83,140 annually.

Working as a Forest and Conservation Worker in Washington D.C.

Forest and conservation workers don’t just work in forests, although the primary employer for this occupation in most states is state or federal departments. They may also find work in forest nurseries or other forest organizations, orchards or tree farms, or they may be self-employed. To work in this job field, you must be able to stand and walk for long periods, be outdoors for most of your duties and sometimes work in inclement weather, and you may have to travel or be relocated for this job.

The leading employers of forest and conservation workers in D.C. include Bartlett Tree Experts and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Many areas in D.C. are operated by the National Park Service, which would be ideal for working in this occupation. Furthermore, the combined areas of Washington-Arlington-Alexandria employ 100 forest and conservation workers and are the fifth-highest metropolitan area for the level of employment in this field. They are also the third top-paying metro area for this occupation.