How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Maine

If you love the forests and wild areas of Maine, then you should consider becoming a forest conservation worker. Conservation workers provide support and labor for foresters and forest technicians as they help to protect and maintain the environment.

As a forest conservation worker, you will help remove dead trees and invasive plants. You may work on replanting forests with native vegetation or restoring streams to their natural state. Your work may also include things like applying herbicides or fungicides to trees, forest fire prevention and rebuilding trails.

Requirements for Forest Conservation Workers in Maine

To start working as a forest conservation worker, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Your work will be very physically demanding, so you should be in good shape and comfortable working outside in all types of weather. Some positions may require a valid driver’s license as well.

Educational Programs in Maine

While you are not required to have a degree to be employed as a forest conservation worker, taking some courses in forestry or a related subject may help you find positions and advance your career. Forest conservation technicians, on the other hand, usually have at least an associate’s degree, and many acquire further education to improve their skills.

Some educational options in Maine include:

• Maine’s Community Colleges (MCCS). With seven campuses through the state, MCCS offers both certificate and degree programs in natural resources. You can opt to focus on drinking water, waste water, horticulture or water treatment technology. Depending on your course of study, you may graduate with a certificate of achievement or an associate’s degree.
• Southern Maine Community College (SMCC). With two campuses, in Brunswick and South Portland, SMCC offers several degree and certificate programs for forest conservation workers. Their Fire Sciences program is ideal for people interested in working for the state or in private industry as a technical or supervisory employee in fire management. You could also choose focus on science, biotechnology or horticulture.
• University of Maine (UM). If you are interested in going for your bachelor’s degree, the UM program in Forestry is a good option. Their four-year program has a strong technical approach and includes field work and summer internships. Upon graduation, you will have your degree and be ready for entry-level work as a forest worker.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t include any information for forest and conservation workers in Maine, but they do include some information about forest conservation technicians. Technicians usually have more specialized training and earn a higher salary than conservation workers, but wages vary by region.

In 2016, there were 30 conservation technicians in Maine, and these numbers are expected to stay about the same for the next 10 years. There are approximately 10 openings a year for technicians. They make an average salary of $22.73 per hour or about $47,270 per year.

Forest conservation workers across the U.S. report earning a mean hourly rate of $15.06 per hour. Even if there isn’t a huge demand for workers in Maine, there are undoubtedly some positions, although they may be seasonal jobs. You could also look to the neighboring state of New Hampshire, which has a higher number of employed forest conservation workers and technicians.

Working as a Forest and Conservation Worker in Maine

Forest and conservation workers in Maine may work for their local governments, the state or federal government or private employers. Many workers are employed in the logging industry or work with non-profit organizations or local schools. While there isn’t a huge demand for forest and conservation workers, these positions are still an important part of protecting the resources of Maine for future generations.