How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Idaho

If you enjoy hiking, camping and spending time working outdoors, you should consider being a forest conservation worker in Idaho. Idaho is one of the best places to live if you want to work in forest conservation. It has the fourth-largest number of forest conservation technicians in the country, after California, Oregon and Montana, and has the second-highest concentration of job openings. There is usually a steady demand for entry-level employees and a lot of opportunities to advance your career.

Forest conservation workers and technicians provide the physical support to rebuild trails, remove and treat diseased plants and trees and help with scientific studies. They may work to restore the soil around a tapped-out mine or help biologists repair a stream for spawning salmon. As a forest conservation worker, you help keep the forests and wild lands of Idaho healthy and prosperous.

Requirements for Forest Conservation Workers in Idaho

To start working as a forest conservation worker, you will need to be at least 18 years old and have your high school diploma or GED. Some positions may require a valid driver’s license as well. Since you will be working outdoors in all conditions, you should be in fairly good shape and be comfortable doing manual labor in the heat, rain and snow.

Forest conservation technicians usually have at least an associate’s degree in forestry or a related subject, before they seek technician positions.

Educational Programs in Idaho

While most forest conservation workers are trained on the job, many pursue higher education to help advance their careers. Taking a course at a community college or technical school can help gain you the skills you need for entry-level work and can provide a basis for pursuing an advanced degree in the future.

Some programs you may consider in Idaho include:

• Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC). TVCC has several programs for conservation technicians, depending upon their chosen career path. They offer a short certificate program for entry-level forest conservation technicians. These technician programs train you for work in natural resources conservation, range and forestry management or as a field mapping technician. You can continue into their one-year program to earn your natural resources technician certificate, or enter a degree program and work towards your associate’s degree in natural resources.
• North Idaho College (NIC). Located in Coeur d’Alene, NIC has several associate’s degree programs for budding forest conservation technicians. Their forestry/wildlife/range management program provides a general education in the social sciences and humanities, and specifically covers the scientific and professional skills you will need to work in the field. Upon completion of the program, you will have your Associate’s of Science degree and be able to transfer to a four-year program or begin work as an entry-level technician.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 2,110 forest conservation technicians in Idaho in 2017, and the field is expected to grow a modest 4.7 percent by 2026. While this isn’t a large rate of growth, Idaho has an average of 260 job openings a year, so there is definitely a regular demand for new technicians. Idaho lists the data for conservation workers and technicians together, unlike some states which report them separately.

Forest conservation technicians in Idaho make an average of $18.24 per hour, or about $37,950 annually. This is slightly below the national average but is above the median income for this field.

Working as a Forest Conservation Worker or Technician in Idaho

Forest conservation workers and technicians in Idaho work under the supervision of a forester or researcher to maintain, preserve and protect our public lands. Many conservation workers are employed by their local city or state governments, while others are employed by the federal government and work with the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Private conservation and non-profit organizations are other avenues for employment. As a forest conservation worker you get to work outside year-round and help keep the forests of Idaho healthy and productive.