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

Starting a forest and conservation worker career is a great idea for those who enjoy spending time outdoors. These professionals work to protect, restore and improve forest quality. Under the direction of forest conservation technicians and foresters, forest workers perform duties such as planting trees, removing diseased vegetation and clearing debris from high-traffic areas.

Some forest and conservation workers prevent and fight wildfires, while others manage trees and wildlife in urban settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 27 percent of forest and conservation workers are employed by state government agencies, while 13 percent more work for local governments. Eighteen percent are employed by forestry organizations, and 14 percent of forest workers are self-employed.

Often, forest and conservation workers study in college to advance to higher career positions such as forest and conservation technicians, foresters or conservation scientists. Moving up to a higher career level offers better pay and more independence on the job. Forest and conservation work is a great way to get your foot in the door to the forestry field while gaining valuable work experience.

It’s Easy to Get Started

Becoming a forest and conservation worker is a fairly simple process. To get started, you need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Most entry-level positions in this field will then train you on the job. To advance in your forestry career, it’s helpful to study forestry, conservation or horticulture in a college program. You could get started in school while you work in an entry-level job.

Begin Your Forestry and Conservation Education

Forestry, horticulture and conservation programs range in length and specialization, depending on the long-term career you want to pursue. Most programs in South Dakota are four years in length, although there are a few shorter programs available. Check out these programs offered in this state:

• Southeast Technical Institute. At this school in Sioux Falls, students can pursue a two-year associate’s degree in Horticulture Technology. The 66-credit program teaches plant and tree identification, pest management, arboriculture and more. Admission requirements include a 1.5 high school GPA, 2.0 college transfer GPA or an ACT score of at least 13.
• South Dakota State University. This university in Brookings offers a few f our-year programs related to forestry, including:Conservation Planning & Park Management, Ecology & Environmental Science and Horticulture and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Each program requires about 120 credit hours of study.

A Closer Look

Job growth for forest and conservation workers in South Dakota is slightly better than that of the rest of the country, according to the Projections Managing Partnership (PMP). While the number of forest workers across the U.S. is expected to decline 2 percent by 2026, those in South Dakota are projected to increase by 1.3 percent. Forest and conservation workers in the state can expect to see an average of 120 job openings per year, and 790 of these professionals were employed within the state in 2016.

The BLS reported the median income for South Dakota forest and conservation workers to be $13.12 per hour in 2018.

Employment and Salary by Location in South Dakota

In 2018, the BLS reported that the highest number of forest and conservation workers were employed in the east South Dakota nonmetropolitan area. This area also had the highest reported level of employment per 1,000 jobs. However, the highest paid forest and conservation workers in South Dakota that same year worked in Sioux Falls, where they earned a median income of $14.23 per hour.

There is plenty of opportunity for forest and conservation work across South Dakota. According to the U.S. Forest Service, South Dakota forests cover roughly 1.7 million acres of land. Start looking for an entry-level forest and conservation job today as you search for the perfect program of study to meet your future career goals.