How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in North Dakota

Are you passionate about plants and trees and their care? Do you enjoy working outdoors? If you answered yes to both, then it is a great time to begin a career as a forest and conservation worker. Forest and conservation workers are professionals who provide support to forest technicians and foresters to better the overall quality of forests. Examples of duties for this job are treating plants and trees with insecticides, treating diseased trees and removing ones that can’t be treated, planting new seedlings, collecting data, keeping pathways, trails and campgrounds clear of debris and working to prevent forest fires.

North Dakota is a great place to consider employment as a forest and conservation worker, because the state is highly involved in agriculture. Additionally, North Dakota is home to five national parks and 13 state parks, including the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Fort Ransom State Park and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

Job Requirements for Forest and Conservation Workers

If you are open to working as a forest and conversation worker in North Dakota, you must be a high school graduate or have the equivalent of a diploma. If you are employed at an entry-level job in this field, most employers will provide on-the-job training, so you won’t need to complete any additional educational programs. However, there are benefits to earning a post-secondary education in this area. You could make more money, and you could advance in your career, possibly becoming a forest and conservation technician or forester. Some employers may expect you to have a valid driver’s license, especially if travel will be involved. You will also be required to work outdoors, sometimes in varying weather conditions, and will have to do a lot of walking, so being physically able to handle these requirements is a must.

Earn Your Degree in Forestry

There are a few educational programs in North Dakota, ranging from a one-year certificate program to four-year bachelor’s degree programs. Here are two of your choices in North Dakota:

• Dakota College at Bottineau. At Dakota College, students can earn either a one-year certificate or a two-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students will learn how to identify trees and about tree care, disease management, safe work procedures and forest management. The AAS degree program also includes general classes. This program gets students ready for entry-level work as a forest worker or arborist.
• Bismarck State College/University of Mary. Bismarck State College and the University of Mary, both in Bismarck, allow students to earn an Associate in Science (AS) degree at BSC and then transfer to the university to finish earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a specialization in Wildlife/Conservation. Students will earn 63 credit hours at BSC and 61 at the University of Mary. Coursework includes general education classes, biology and chemistry courses, electives and labs, animal behavior, zoology, range management and wildlife management.

Salary and Job Growth Expectations

Nationally, forest and conservation worker job openings are experiencing a decline instead of growth. This job field is expected to see an overall two percent decline by the year 2026. However, according to the Projections Managing Partnership (PMP), forest and conservation worker jobs in North Dakota are expected to increase by 6.7 percent by the year 2026, with an average of 30 new job openings annually.

Forest and conservation workers in the state were making an average annual salary of $32,490 in 2018, or $15.62 hourly. Workers who are more experienced and have had more education or training make approximately $40,000 annually.

Where to Find a Job as a Forest and Conservation Worker in North Dakota

As a forest and conservation worker in North Dakota, you may expect to be employed by local or state governments, federal agencies, non-profit organizations, campgrounds and tree farms. The top employer in North Dakota for this profession is the North Dakota State Government. Cities that employ the most forest and conservation workers in the state include Bismarck, Fargo and Williston.