How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Pennsylvania

Forest and conservation workers help foresters and forestry technicians maintain woodlands and urban areas too. Pennsylvania is a great state to work in this profession, because it is high ranking in agricultural production and more than half the state is covered in forest land. Pennsylvania is home to 121 state parks, 19 national parks and seven national heritage areas. Among these are Independence National Historical Park and Ohiopyle State Park.

Forest and conservation worker duties include seeking out diseased trees and treating them, removing trees that can’t be treated, planting new trees and keeping trails and other areas clear. Forest workers also collect a lot of data and aid in the prevention and suppression of forest fires.

Pennsylvania Forest and Conservation Worker Requirements

To work as a forest and conservation worker in the state of Pennsylvania, you will need a high school diploma or GED. Completing a post-secondary training program is not mandatory, because you can find entry-level work as a forest and conservation worker with only a high school degree or equivalent and you will be trained on the job. However, if you do choose to earn a certificate or degree in forestry or a similar field, it may increase your chances of being hired. You could also make more money, and it would help you in advance to a forest and conservation technician or forester if you wanted to.

Forestry Programs in Pennsylvania

Although completing a post-secondary program in forestry isn’t required, it could help you as far as career advancement. You would also already have background knowledge of the field before beginning work and would need less training. Below are a couple of the educational options available to you in Pennsylvania:

• Pennsylvania College of Technology. At Pennsylvania College of Technology, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Forest Technology. Students will learn how to control forest fires, how to improve wildlife habitats, timber estimation and how to survey property lines. Students will be allowed to work with forestry equipment as well as work in an outdoor learning lab. This is a two-year program. If you plan to continue education, you can keep attending Penn College to earn a Bachelor of Science degree or enroll in classes online.
• Albright College. Albright College in Reading offers a Bachelor in Science in Environmental Science. This is a four-year program. This program will prepare students for a career in environmental science, ecology or resource management. Coursework is heavily science-based. Lab courses are taken at local habitats. Weekend field trips and internships are also a part of this program.

Job Outlook and Salary Information

Growth in forest and conservation worker jobs is currently down in most states. Nationally, the job field is experiencing a projected two percent decline for the period from 2016 through 2026. The state of Pennsylvania is predicted to see a four percent decrease in these jobs during that same period. However, don’t be discouraged if you are interested in a career in this field. The decline is still a small one and could improve. Also, openings will be available when current workers retire or relocate.

The national average annual salary for this job is $27,460, or $13.20 hourly. In Pennsylvania, the annual average is $51,970, and the hourly average is $24.99. More experienced workers or those who have completed post-secondary education could make as much as $65,240 annually.

Working in Forest and Conservation in Pennsylvania

The leading employers of forest and conservation workers are federal and state governments or local government agencies. Other places you may find work include campgrounds, tree farms, nurseries and orchards. While growth in this job field is down, there are still annual openings in the state. You may have the most luck looking for work in the cities of Harrisburg, Hatfield, Philadelphia and Westchester.

This is an outdoor job that will sometimes require you to work in varying weather conditions. You can also expect to be on your feet a lot, often walking long distances and sometimes carrying heavy equipment. If you love working outdoors and can handle the physical requirements of the job, you should consider working as a forest and conservation worker in Pennsylvania today.