How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in New Hampshire

If you love the outdoors and are passionate about improving the natural beauty and the quality of forests in New Hampshire, consider a career as a forest and conservation worker. In this career, you’ll work under the direction of a forester or a forest and conservation technician, and you’ll perform a variety of tasks related to the care of trees and woodlands. Most of your tasks will be physical.

Some of your duties will include identifying diseased trees and removing them if necessary, planting seedlings, spraying trees and other vegetation with chemicals to protect them from pests, and helping to prevent or suppress forest fires. You may have a variety of other job titles such as Field Laborer, Park Maintainer, Forest Resource Specialist or Conservation Officer.

Job Requirements for Forest or Conservation Workers in New Hampshire

In most cases, you’ll be able to receive on-the-job training to work as a forest and conservation worker in New Hampshire. Most job opportunities require at least a high school diploma or GED. You may also be required to have a valid driver’s license.

Forestry training programs are often offered at vocational schools or community colleges. These programs can give you expertise in subjects such as timber harvesting, wildlife management or forest management technology.

Forestry Training Programs in New Hampshire

Although you may not be required to complete a formal training program for a job as a forest and conservation worker, completing an educational program may improve your chance of obtaining competitive positions and may also prepare you for more advanced opportunities, such as working as a forest and conservation technician. Schools in New Hampshire that offer forestry training include:

• University of New Hampshire. This college in Durham, NH, offers a bachelor’s degree in Forestry. This program focuses on sustainable management of forests. It emphasizes hands-on experience through intensive lab work and fieldwork in the White Mountain National Forest.
• White Mountain Community College. Located in Berlin, NH, this community college offers an associate’s degree in Environmental Science. Courses include forestry resources, environmental issues, water resources and conservation biology.

Job Outlook and Expected Salary for New Hampshire Forest and Conservation Workers

In New Hampshire, job openings in the forest and conservation field is fairly low compared to other parts of the country. CareerOnestop predicts that job growth for the field of forest and conservation workers is likely to be slow or possibly even decline.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for workers in the forest and conservation field in 2018 was $30,590, while the hourly mean was $16.08. This is slightly higher than the national median salary, which was $27,460 as of May 2018.

What to Expect When You Work as a Forest and Conservation Worker in New Hampshire

Even though there isn’t a large demand for forest and conservation workers in the state of New Hampshire, qualified candidates may still be able to find opportunities in this field. There are large and small state forests throughout the state, as well as White Mountain National Forest. New Hampshire is actually the second most forested state in the U.S.

If you’re interested in this field, keep in mind that the job can be very demanding physically. You’ll be required to work outdoors in all kinds of weather, possible including cold winters, and you may be working in remote locations. You may need to carry heavy equipment while walking long distances. If you think becoming a forest and conservation worker is the right opportunity for you, determination and persistence can help you to find the job you’re looking for.