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

If you enjoy hunting, fishing and hiking in the woods of New York, then you might consider a job as a forest and conservation worker. Forest and conservation workers help maintain and protect the forests, watersheds and rivers across the state. They provide the physical labor to maintain trails, remove and replant vegetation, and preserve the natural resources of New York for future generations.

As a forest and conservation worker, you will work under the supervision of foresters, conservation technicians and other researchers, and help them with their projects. Your work may be seasonal or year-round, and positions are available in both the cities and rural areas. The New York metro area has the third-largest concentration of forest and conservation workers in the country, making it an ideal area for newer workers to find employment.

Requirements for Forest Conservation Workers

To be a forest and conservation worker, you must be at least 18 years old and have your high school diploma or GED. Some positions may also require a valid driver’s license. Since this work is physically demanding, you should be in good shape and have the stamina to carry equipment, hike long distances and work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Educational Programs in New York

While there are no higher education requirements for being a forest and conservation worker, you may find it easier to secure or advance your position if you take some classes on forestry, natural resources or watershed management.

Some options in New York include:

• The State University of New York (SUNY). SUNY is a collection of 64 schools and organizations that make up the largest university system in the country. They offer a large variety of certificate, associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree programs at campuses across the state of New York. Depending on your area of interest, you could focus on environmental sciences, sustainability, or fish and wildlife technology, or you could choose another specialty from the wide array of options in their agriculture and conservation program.
• Hudson Valley Community College. Located in downtown Troy, Hudson Valley Community College offers a couple of associate degree programs suitable for forest and conservation workers. You can choose to focus on general biology or specialize in environmental science. Their programs offer small class sizes and provide you with plenty of field-work experience. Upon completion of the program, you will have your degree and be able to gain entry-level employment, or you may transfer your credits to a four-year program if you wish to pursue your bachelor’s degree.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (BLS), there were 140 forest conservation workers employed in New York in 2016. They made an average of $18.80 per hour, or about $39,100 annually, which is higher than the national average of $13.20 per hour.

While the BLS doesn’t report the anticipated demand for forest and conservation workers in New York, they do provide this information for forest and conservation technicians. They predict that demand for technicians will increase another 11.6 percent by 2026. Given the relatively high levels of employment for forest and conservation workers, it is likely that the demand for new workers will remain steady and may even increase by 2026.

Working as a Forest Conservation Worker in New York

New York boasts more than 12 million acres of public lands and forests, and has over 70,000 miles of streams, waterways and rivers. As a forest and conservation worker, your labors will keep these habitats healthy and productive. You may work with your local or state governments, or for a federal agency such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Forest Service (FS). You may also work for a non-profit organization or be employed in the mining, logging, fishing, farming or ecotourism industries.