How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Louisiana

Forest and conservation workers operate under the supervision of a forest technician or forester and help to maintain and protect forest areas. If you enjoy science and working outdoors, and don’t mind having a physically challenging job, then you might want to consider employment as a forest and conservation worker in Louisiana. More than half the state consists of forest land, and it is highly diverse. There are 22 state parks, 17 historical sites, one state preservation area and one national forest located in Louisiana.

Your responsibilities as a forest and conservation worker might include assessing and treating infected trees, planting new trees and other vegetation, removing damaged trees and helping to prevent forest fires.

Requirements to Become a Forest Worker in Louisiana

You must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or the equivalent to work as a forest and conservation worker in Louisiana. Once you are hired, you will receive on-the-job training, so post-secondary education isn’t necessary. However, completing a forestry educational program can help give you a jump start on the skills you need for this job and cut down on training time. It can also prepare you for career advancement if you plan on becoming a forest technician or forester.

Louisiana Forestry and Conservation Programs

Entry-level forest and conservation workers do not need a certificate or degree to become employed in Louisiana. But completing a certificate or degree program in forestry or a similar field can help, and if you would like to go further, you can also complete a four-year degree program. Here are a couple of the schools you can choose to attend in the state:

• Central Louisiana Technical Community College. The Huey P. Long Campus of Central Louisiana Tech, located in Winnfield, offers a Forest Technology program with several exit options. This program prepares students for various levels of work in the field of forestry and conservation. Program length will depend on which exit option you take and how many courses you take per semester. You can choose a certificate of technical studies in Forest Harvesting & Planting Assistant, which consists of 20 credit hours. Nineteen more credit hours will earn you a certificate of technical studies in Forest Technician Site Assistant. And finally, you can complete the previous courses and an additional 21 more credit hours, for a total of 60, and earn a technical diploma in Forest Technology.
• Louisiana State University. At LSU, students can earn a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Students receive hands-on training at the school’s on-campus forest, in a variety of fields. They can choose from one of nine specializations for this degree, including Ecological Restoration, Forest Enterprise and Forest Management. This is a four-year program.

Job Outlook and Salary Expectations

The job field for forest and conservation workers is declining at a national rate of two percent. In the state of Louisiana, jobs in this field are dropping at a seven percent rate. However, if you go into this field planning to continue to become a forest technician or forester, that job field is presently experiencing growth.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average national salary for forest and conservation workers is $13.20 or $27,460 per year. Louisiana salaries are slightly higher, averaging $17.11 hourly and $35,590 annually. The top earners make an average of $49,280 annually.

Finding a Forest and Conservation Job in Louisiana

The top employer for forest and conservation workers in Louisiana is the state itself. Other employers are federal and local government organizations, tree farms, campgrounds and arborists. Cities where you may find the most success in finding employment include New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

While the state is currently experiencing a decline in jobs in this field, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider working as a forest and conservation worker in Louisiana. This career still has the potential for growth, especially with more than half of the state being made up of forest land.