Occupation · SOC 19-4071
Forest and Conservation Technicians
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
408 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementSpeakingMonitoringSocial Perceptiveness
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentGeography
Technology & tools
Map creation softwareData base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareInventory management softwareComputer aided design CAD software
Representative tasks
Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.Keep records of the amount and condition of logs taken to mills.Manage forest protection activities, including fire control, fire crew training, and coordination of fire detection and public education programs.Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors.Perform reforestation or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement.Plan and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads.Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.Develop and maintain computer databases.Inspect trees and collect samples of plants, seeds, foliage, bark, and roots to locate insect and disease damage.Measure distances, clean sightlines, and record data to help survey crews.Issue fire permits, timber permits, and other forest use licenses.Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas such as burns, cut-over areas, experimental plots, and timber sales sections.Provide forestry education and general information, advice, and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations, and the general public.Conduct laboratory or field experiments with plants, animals, insects, diseases, and soils.Provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys, or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic chemical applicators — use under direct supervision to thin trees and control undergrowth on an assigned forest tract.Tree seedling planting protocols — follow step-by-step instructions during seasonal planting activities on a conservation crew.Forest and park patrol routes — complete assigned foot or vehicle patrols under supervisor guidance to monitor resource conditions.Environmental protection regulations — read and recite key rules to members of the public under the direction of a senior technician.Basic digital mapping software — enter field data into pre-configured map layers under supervision at a district field office.Fire safety procedures — recognize hazardous conditions and report findings to a lead technician during routine patrol activities.Field observation notes — record accurate written observations of wildlife, vegetation, and land conditions using standardized forms.Inventory management software — log equipment and supply quantities into a database under the guidance of a resource manager.Geographic features and terminology — identify terrain types, watershed boundaries, and vegetation zones on standard topographic maps.Active listening skills — receive and clarify task instructions from supervisors and experienced crew members before beginning field assignments.
developing
Manual tools and approved herbicides — apply independently to thin stands and suppress invasive undergrowth across multiple forest units.Seasonal conservation workers — assist in orienting and guiding crew members during tree seedling planting and recreational facility maintenance tasks.Resource utilization and accident prevention regulations — explain requirements accurately to visitors and contractors during routine park or forest patrols.Patrol schedules and incident reports — manage independently across assigned zones, documenting resource damage, violations, and wildlife activity.GIS and digital mapping systems — compile and update forest tract data from field surveys, producing draft maps for supervisor review.Fire suppression support activities — coordinate assigned crew roles during initial attack operations following established incident command protocols.Analytical or scientific software — enter and interpret vegetation density, growth, and treatment data to support district resource assessments.Time management across concurrent projects — balance patrol duties, treatment schedules, and reporting deadlines with limited supervisory oversight.Public inquiries about conservation programs — respond clearly and professionally using knowledge of local ecology, regulations, and agency policy.CAD and presentation software — prepare basic visual aids and maps to support team briefings on treatment plans and project outcomes.
proficient
Thinning and weed-control programs — plan, execute, and evaluate outcomes autonomously across large, ecologically diverse forest tracts.Seasonal work crews — train, lead, and evaluate performance of forest and conservation workers in planting, fire response, and facility maintenance activities.Regulatory compliance reviews — assess land use activities for adherence to environmental protection, fire safety, and resource law, issuing notices when warranted.Multi-zone patrol operations — design and manage patrol strategies that efficiently cover extensive park or forest areas, adjusting for seasonal risk factors.Digital mapping and GIS systems — produce accurate, publication-ready forest tract maps by integrating field survey data, aerial imagery, and agency databases.Complex problem solving in the field — diagnose non-routine resource damage, pest outbreaks, or erosion events and implement evidence-based corrective actions.Systems analysis of forest health indicators — synthesize biological, hydrological, and land-use data to identify trends and recommend management interventions.Written technical reports — author detailed project assessments, environmental monitoring summaries, and regulatory findings for agency records and stakeholder distribution.Interagency coordination — serve as a primary field contact with law enforcement, fire agencies, and tribal or private landowners on shared resource concerns.Inventory and resource management software — administer equipment, chemical, and seed inventories at the district level, ensuring compliance with procurement standards.
advanced
District-wide conservation and forest management strategy — develop and direct multi-year operational plans aligned with agency mandates and ecological sustainability goals.Technician and crew development programs — design training curricula and mentorship pathways that build field competency across all seasonal and permanent staff.Regulatory policy interpretation and implementation — translate new environmental protection and land-use legislation into enforceable field protocols adopted organization-wide.Risk assessment frameworks for fire and resource protection — establish patrol prioritization models and early-warning systems used across multiple forest districts.GIS and geospatial program leadership — oversee agency-wide digital mapping standards, data governance, and integration of emerging remote-sensing technologies.Cross-agency and stakeholder engagement — lead collaborative resource planning with federal, state, tribal, and private partners to resolve complex land management conflicts.Budget and personnel administration — manage district operating budgets, staffing allocations, and performance evaluations to optimize conservation program outcomes.Strategic learning and adaptive management — institutionalize systematic review of treatment effectiveness data and redirect program resources based on evidence-based findings.Public communication and policy advocacy — represent the agency at public hearings, legislative briefings, and professional conferences to advance conservation priorities.Organizational systems evaluation — analyze workforce structures, technology adoption, and operational workflows, recommending and leading reforms that improve district-level efficiency and safety.
Also known as
35 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Park Technician (Park Tech)Forester AideTimber Management TechnicianForest TechnicianSurvival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialist Apprentice (Air Force 1T031)Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialist Journeyman (Air Force 1T051)Timber Sale Preparation Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Preparation Forestry Tech)Conservation OfficerFirefighter (Army 12M)Fire Protection (Air Force 3E7X1)Field Technician (Field Tech)Conservation TechnicianForestry Aid TechnicianFire Protection Journeyman (Air Force 3E751)Grazing ExaminerFire Protection Manager (Air Force 3E700)Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialist Superintendent (Air Force 1T091)Range TechnicianGrazing AideResource TechnicianFire Protection Helper (Air Force 3E711)Conservation AgentForestry Aide TechnicianFire Protection Craftsman (Air Force 3E771)Biological Science AideNatural Resources TechnicianForestry Technician (Forestry Tech)Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialist (Air Force 1T0X1)Timber AppraiserSurvival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialist Helper (Air Force 1T011)Forestry AideFire Protection Superintendent (Air Force 3E791)Fire Protection Apprentice (Air Force 3E731)Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialist Craftsman (Air Force 1T071)Soil-Conservation Technician