How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Hawaii

If you care about the environment and like spending time outdoors, you might consider becoming a forest or conservation worker. Working under the supervision of foresters and forest technicians, these professionals perform a wide set of tasks to measure and improve the quality of forests.

Duties of forest workers may include digging and planting trees, collecting data, applying pesticides to plants and clearing debris from trails and camping areas. Some forest and conservation workers are employed in orchard settings, while those in urban areas may focus on urban forestry.

Forest and conservation workers should expect to spend long hours outdoors, sometimes enduring harsh weather conditions. You must be relatively fit, be able to bend over and to move heavy objects.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 27 percent of forest and conservation workers were employed by state government agencies in 2016. Another 13 percent of forest workers were employed by local governments.

How to Become a Forest or Conservation Worker

Your first step to becoming a forest or conservation worker is earning your high school diploma or GED equivalent. After that, you can begin work right away with an employer that will train you on-the-job. Many forest and conservation workers choose to study forestry or horticulture at college. Earning an associate degree or certificate in this subject matter will make you attractive to more jobs.

College Horticulture and Forestry Programs

When you’re ready to decide on a forestry or horticulture program, choose a program that meets your specific career goals. Compare multiple horticulture, forestry and natural resources degrees. Programs that teach you technology skills will add value to your resume. Here are a couple of programs in Hawaii you might consider:

• Hawaii Community College. Located in Hilo, Hawaii, this school offers a Certificate of Achievement and Associate Degree of Science in Tropical Forest Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management. The certificate requires 31 hours of study, while the associate’s degree requires 62 to 65 credit hours. Students learn about native Hawaiian forests, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• University of Hawaii Maui College. In Kahului, this branch of the University of Hawaii offers a two-year associate’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program totals 60 to 62 credits. Graduates receive a Certificate of Competence in GIS. A shorter certificate program is also available.

Forest and Conservation Workers’Salary and Job Outlook

While there isn’t much data regarding forest and conservation workers in Hawaii, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)offers information on forest and conservation technicians, who perform many of the same functions.

In 2018, Hawaii forest and conservation technicians were paid a median salary of $18.55 per hour. That’s more than five dollars higher than the median income for forest and conservation workers across the country that year. The Projections Managing Partnership estimates 20 job openings in this field per year, on average. While the pay for forest and conservation technicians in Hawaii is very good, it’s important to realize you might need to relocate while searching for new jobs.

Protect Hawaii’s Native Wildlife

The State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife is dedicated to managing and protecting watersheds, native ecosystems and cultural resources. If you live near one of these areas, you might have better luck finding work, especially within a government agency.

If you transfer to Hawaii from another state for forest and conservation work, you’ll need to spend some time learning about the native ecosystems and regional differences in forestry practices. It’s every forest and conservation worker’s dream job to work in the scenic outdoors of Hawaii. Start looking for educational programs now so you’ll be prepared to find your first job.