How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Virginia

As a forest and conservation worker in Virginia you could be a part of managing the state’s beautiful wooded areas. These workers are supervised by forest technicians and foresters and do day-to-day work that keeps forests healthy and thriving.

Some of the duties you may have in this career include identifying trees to be treated or cut down, administering treatments for disease or pests, doing work to prevent forest fires, clearing brush from trails and campgrounds, and planting seedlings for reforestation. This is a physically demanding job, but also a rewarding one, and it does not require an extensive post-secondary education.

Requirements for Forest and Conservation Work in Virginia

There are no state requirements in Virginia for becoming a forest and conservation worker. This is an entry-level type of job. You should have a high school diploma or a GED and be prepared to learn and be trained on the job by a forester or forest technician.

Academic Programs in Virginia

There are no academic requirements for this job, but earning a diploma, certificate or degree in forestry or related fields can be a good way to get to the top of the pile of job applicants. Employers may be more willing to hire someone who has some background knowledge in ecology, forestry, horticulture, natural resources or environmental science. Here are a couple of educational options in the state of Virginia:

• Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke. Virginia Western has a couple of academic options that will prepare you to work in environmental science. You can earn an associate’s degree in integrated environmental studies, which should take two years to complete. You can also transfer credits from this program to Virginia Tech. Another option is the horticulture technology certificate, which will teach you the basics of plants.
• Virginia Tech, Multiple. This four-year university offers degrees in forest operations and business, forest resources management and urban forestry. If you’re not ready to earn a bachelor’s degree, the school also offers several extension programs throughout the state. These will not provide transferable credits but do give you a foundation of knowledge in areas like urban forest management, small woodlot management and alternative forest production systems.

Salary and Job Outlook in Forest and Conservation

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for forest and conservation workers is $27,460 per year and $13.20 per hour. You could potentially earn a higher salary with more training and education, with a leadership role and with more years of experience on the job.

The outlook for these careers is unfortunately not positive. The number of positions is in decline, but there are still jobs available each year as workers leave the field. If you are willing to work toward becoming a forest technician, the outlook is stronger with nearly seven percent growth I this career in Virginia.

Doing Forest and Conservation Work in Virginia

Most forest and conservation workers are employed by state governments. Virginia is home to many state-managed forests, so this is a great place to start looking for your first job. You may also look at local governments that need urban forest workers and park managers, or at the federal government for positions in U.S. forest lands.

Private employers also need forest workers. These include the owners of lumber companies, orchards and tree farms. Wherever you work in this career, be aware that this is a difficult job that requires you to be on your feet, lifting heavy materials and walking most of the day. Injuries are also a risk in this line of work.