How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Florida

Forest and conservation workers assist foresters and forest technicians in the overall conservation of natural resources, mainly forests. These workers will collect data, help prevent and control forest fires, plant seedlings and clear debris from roadsides and other areas. If this career sounds like something you may be interested in, then you should consider becoming a forest and conservation worker in Florida.

Florida is third in the United States for diverse plant life. Also, there are more than 35 state forests in Florida, and more than 1,000,000 acres of land in the state are considered forest areas. Keep reading to find out how you can get started in this career in the Sunshine State.

Requirements for Forest and Conservation Workers

The minimal educational requirements to work in this job field are to hold a high school diploma or GED. Post-secondary education is not mandatory, but completing some coursework in forestry can give you background knowledge and experience. It can also help you if you are planning on advancing in your career and working up to the position of forest and conservation technician or forester. There are no other requirements in the state to work as forest and conservation worker. If you don’t have training or educational experience, training will be done on the job.

Forestry Programs in Florida

Enrolling in a degree program in forestry or a similar field will help prepare you for a career in forest and conservation. You can enter a one- or two-year program that will teach you the basics, or if you are planning on going further in your career, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in forestry. Here are a couple of your educational options in the state:

• Pensacola State College. At Pensacola State, you can earn an Associate in Arts degree in Natural Resource Conservation. This is a two-year degree program that is transferable if you are interested in continuing your education and earning a bachelor’s degree in forestry, resource conservation or wildlife ecology. Coursework is a combination of general education courses, core classes and electives. This includes English, humanities, math and science courses, as well as General Botany, General Chemistry and Technical Writing.
• University of Florida. The University of Florida offers a four-year bachelor’s degree program in forest resources and conservation. This program helps students to understand ecology and ecosystems further and includes coursework in tree biology, forest ecology, wildlife management, soil science and resource economics. The Society of American Foresters accredits this program.

Job Outlook and Salaries in Florida

Across the U.S., the job field for forest and conservation workers is declining, but only slightly. Most states are still seeing some growth in the area, despite this national trend. However, the Projections Managing Partnership does not give any predicted information for the state of Florida from 2016 to 2026.

The national average salary for this career is $13.20 hourly and $27,460 annually. In Florida, the hourly average for this job is $16.20, and the yearly average is $33,850. More experienced and educated forest workers in the state can make up to $41,650 annually.

Finding a Job as a Forest and Conservation Worker

If you plan on working as a forest and conservation worker in Florida, you will most likely work for the state or federal government in a state or national forest. The biggest employer in the state for this job field is the State of Florida. However, you may also find work in other parks, campgrounds, tree farms, orchards and nurseries. Other job titles include soil and water conservationist, park naturalist and range manager.

Some of the cities you may consider working in are Boca Raton, Miami, Pensacola and Tampa. In addition to those cities, some of the other high paying cities include Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Jacksonville, Key West and Orlando.