How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Georgia

If you would like a demanding yet rewarding job in which you work outdoors and help make a difference in your environment, you may be interested in becoming a forest and conservation worker in Georgia. Forest and conservation workers are supervised by foresters or forest technicians. They plant seedlings, monitor the health of trees and treat or remove diseased trees as needed. They also make sure that campgrounds, trails and roads are clear of branches and limbs, and help prevent and control forest fires. Georgia is an excellent place to work in this job field, as the state is in the subtropical forest biome and contains about 250 different species of trees including pine trees, red cedar and oak trees.

Requirements to Be a Forest and Conservation Worker

It is not required that someone is licensed, hold certification or even have a college degree to work in this field. The qualifications for this job are usually set by employers. Most employers will require someone who has a valid driver’s license and has graduated from high school or has the equivalent of a diploma. Training is usually done on the job, so it isn’t mandatory to complete post-secondary education in this field. However, doing so can provide you with the necessary knowledge to work in this field and prepare you to go further.

Forestry Programs in Georgia

Although it isn’t required, completing forestry or related program can be beneficial. Employers may choose to hire someone who already has knowledge of what to do on the job rather than someone who needs to be trained. Also, some forest and conservation workers may go on to work as forest technicians or foresters, and a degree is required to work in those professions. Here are examples of your educational options in Georgia:

• Coastal Pines Technical College. Coastal Pines Technical College offers a Forest Technician Assistant technical certificate. This program prepares students to work as entry-level forest workers. Coursework includes Introduction to Forestry & Natural Resources, Dendrology, Forest Measurements and Forest Surveying and Mapping. The four classes can be taken in one semester. This program is offered at the Waycross campus.
• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. At Abraham Baldwin, students can earn a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis on Forestry. This is a four-year degree. Coursework includes Forest Entomology and Pathology, Forest Safety, Forest Measurement & Mapping, Fire Ecology & Management, Natural Resources Policy & Law and more. An internship is also included in this program.

Salary and Job Outlook in Georgia

While many careers are experiencing growth, the job market for forest and conservation workers is declining currently, but only minimally. However, according to the Projections Managing Partnership, this profession is expected to experience an 11 percent increase in the number of jobs in this field between 2016 and 2026 in Georgia, with at least 40 more forest and conservation worker jobs becoming available during this time.

In the state, the average annual salary for this career is $38,190, or $18.36 hourly. If you have a college degree or have been working for a while, you could make up to $51,000 a year.

Working as a Forest and Conservation Worker in Georgia

The leading employers of forest and conservation workers are federal and state governments. There are seven state forests in Georgia: Bartram Forest, Broxton Rocks Forest, Dawson Forest, Dixon Memorial State Forest, Hightower Forest, Paulding Forest and Spirit Creek Forest. Other places you may work include private forests, orchards, nurseries and tree farms. Since this job is experiencing growth within the state, work will be available pretty much anywhere in the state. However, you may want to start with some of the bigger cities like Athens, Atlanta, Marietta or Savannah.