How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Kentucky
Forest and conservation workers are needed wherever there are woodlands and forests that need managing. A forest worker is someone who assists forest technicians and foresters in keeping wooded areas healthy and thriving. In this role, some of the daily duties you may have include:
- Planting tree seedlings
- Monitoring the health of trees and identifying those that are diseased
- Counting and measuring trees
- Clearing brush from forest trails or camping areas
- Treating trees for diseases or pests
- Preventing or fighting forest fires
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This is a very physical job that requires you be on your feet and walking most days. You can also expect to use heavy equipment and even to do some climbing. If you enjoy this kind of work and you love being outdoors in the woods, a career as a Kentucky forest or conservation worker might be the right choice for your future.
What You Need to Be a Forest and Conservation Worker in Kentucky
A great thing about starting out in this career is that there are no requirements for education or certification beyond being a high school graduate or having a GED. You just need to be physically able to do the job, willing to learn and enthusiastic about working outdoors. Most employers will hire individuals with no experience and train them on the job.
Forestry and Conservation Academic Programs in Kentucky
Although you don’t technically need to earn a degree or get any kind of post-secondary education to do this job, an academic program is one option for starting your forestry career. It will give you a foundation of knowledge and skills for the job, make you a more desirable candidate for employers and provide a starting point for working toward becoming a technician or a forester.
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington. At this community college you can earn a two-year degree in environmental science technology or fire science technology. Either program will provide you with skills that can help you do the job of forestry work.
- Berea College, Berea. If you are interested in taking the time to earn a four-year degree, consider the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department at Berea College. Here you can minor in forest resource management, a program that prepares students to work in sustainable management of natural resources.
Job Growth and Salaries
Across the country, there is actually a decline in the number of jobs available for forest and conservation workers. This does not mean you won’t be able to find a job, but it does mean there will be some competition for positions that open up as people leave the field. Having a degree or diploma can put you at the top of the candidate list.
Salaries for forest and conservation workers in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average $27,460 per year and $13.20 per hour. The top earners in the field make more than $48,000 per year. You can earn more by earning a degree, having specialized skills like fire science and by working up to the role of forest technician.
Forest and Conservation Jobs in Kentucky
As you begin your career in forestry work in Kentucky, look for jobs with local, state or even the federal government. Many forests are managed by government agencies, and they hire people to take care of them. You may also look to private companies that manage forests, such as lumber companies, tree farms and orchards.