How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Tennessee

Forest and conservation work is rewarding and also challenging. This may be a good career choice for anyone interested in working outdoors and making a difference in their local environment. These workers are supervised by foresters and assist in maintaining the health of forests. They may identify and remove or treat diseased trees, plant new trees, keep public use areas clear of vegetation, count and measure trees or even fight forest fires. Tennessee employs more forest and conservation workers than almost any other state, so this is a great place to get started with your new career.

What it Takes to Work in Forest and Conservation in Tennessee

The only real requirement there is for working in this field in Tennessee is having a high school diploma or GED. Beyond this it is up to employers to determine qualifications. Most will hire individuals without any post-secondary education and train them on the job. You can complete a college certificate or degree program to get started in this career, but it isn’t necessary.

Forestry and Conservation Academic Programs

There are a couple of reasons to consider earning a degree before starting your career in forest work. One is that it will provide you with a foundational education to be better prepared to do the job. Also, having a degree makes you a better job candidate, giving you an edge over others in getting hired. Some degrees will provide special skills, like firefighting, that could help you earn more too.

Three educational option in Tennessee include:

• Hiwassee College, Madisonville. Hiwassee offers students an associate’s degree program in forest technology to help launch a career in forestry. This two-year program will teach you all about forest ecology and conservation, as well as natural resources. With this degree you can become a forest and conservation worker or a forestry technician.
• Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin. Another option for an area of study if you are interested in forest work is fire science. Forest management includes preventing and fighting fires, and these are valued skills. At Volunteer you can choose to earn an associate’s degree or a technical certificate in fire science.
• Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville. If you are interested in becoming a forester, you may want to earn a four-year degree. Tennessee Tech offers a bachelor’s degree in nursery and landscape management and in wildlife and fisheries science.

Salary and Job Growth in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to about 300 forest and conservation workers. Unfortunately, the overall number of jobs for forest workers is going down in the state, as it is across the U.S. There are still about 60 positions available each year due to retirements and people leaving their jobs for other reasons.

For salary, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the national average for forest and conservation workers is $27,460 per year. In Tennessee the average is a little lower at $25,570. Forestry technicians, though, make over $38,000 per year on average, a great reason to earn a degree in this field.

Working in Forest and Conservation in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to a number of state, local and federal forests that need qualified and dedicated forest and conservation workers. In this state, you will most likely be hired by one of these levels of government, but you may also work for private farmers or land owners who need forest management.

If you do choose this career, it is important to understand that forest work is challenging. It is very physical and requires the ability to walk and use equipment all day long. You will also have to work in all weather conditions and risk getting injured. But if you love the outdoors, this can be a rewarding and fun career.