Occupation Details
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$43,260.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$51,730.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$63,720.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
480
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
560
+8 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
71
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Aerial bucket trucks
- Airboats
- All terrain vehicles ATV
- Altimeters
- Amphibious excavators
- Aquatic weed harvesters
- Axes
- Backhoes
- Basal area factor BAF prisms
- Boats
- Brush hooks
- Brush trucks
- Bulldozers
- Calipers
- Chain saws
- Clearing hooks
- Clinometers
- Crown densitometers
- Desktop computers
- Diameter tapes
- Dibblers
- Digital cameras
- Dump trucks
- Electronic rain gauges ERR
- Electroshocking boats
- Excavators
- Farm tractors
- Fertilizer spreaders
- Field personal computers PC
- Fire plows
Technology
- Allegro Landmark
- Assisi Compiler
- Assisi Forest
- Assisi Inventory
- Atterbury Consultants SuperAce
- Autodesk AutoCAD LT
- Ben Meadows Yeoman Expedition
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Computer graphics software
- Corel Presentation
- Database software
- Desktop publishing software
- ESRI ArcView
- Fire behavior modeling software
- Forest EcoSurvey
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- draw maps or charts
- issue licenses or permits
- maintain records, reports, or files
- prepare reports
- direct workers in planting, irrigating, cultivating, harvesting, or marketing
- give directions to crew on fire line during forest fire
- explain complex mathematical information
- interpret aerial photographs
- explain government laws or regulations
- judge soil conditions
- operate emergency fire or rescue equipment
- operate forestry equipment
- use two-way radio or mobile phone
- use chain saws
- use biological testing instruments
- use fire suppression equipment
- operate land or site surveying instruments
- use laboratory equipment
- advise clients or customers
- analyze biological research, test, or analysis data
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- conduct laboratory research or experiments
- conduct land surveys
- perform statistical analysis
- analyze adaptability of tree species to new environmental conditions
- analyze forest conditions to determine reasons for species prevalence
- enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
- estimate standing timber or future growth
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- conduct training for personnel
- use herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides or related products
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
- direct and coordinate fire prevention and suppression activities
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- direct construction of recreation facilities or fire safety features
- direct loading of fire suppression equipment
- patrol or guard area or premises
- observe fire to note changing conditions
- observe plants, flowers, shrubs or trees to ascertain condition
- plant, cultivate, or harvest crops, including aquaculture
- control and extinguish municipal or forest fires
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in agricultural, forestry, or fishing setting
- oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
- ensure compliance with government regulations
- determine negligence or violation of laws or regulations
- communicate technical information
- make presentations
- compile numerical or statistical data
- develop tables depicting data
- classify plants, animals, or other natural phenomena
- use chemical testing or analysis procedures
- use fire suppression techniques
- use forestry, range, or other public land management techniques
- use government regulations
- use hazardous materials information
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use land surveying techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use plant or crop transplant techniques
- use plant disease control techniques
- use pollution control techniques
- use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
- use scientific research methodology
- follow safe waste disposal procedures
- use timber grading standards
- use building or land use regulations
- use public speaking techniques
- use biological research techniques
- use forest fire protection methods
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use long term forest or range land planning techniques
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use quantitative research methods
- use timber scaling procedures
- use knowledge of environmental laws and regulations
- collect scientific or technical data
- obtain technical support instructions from scientists or engineers
- collect statistical data
- read maps
- read measuring or metering devices used in forestry
- obtain land survey data using surveying instruments
- collect geographic or physical data
- read surveying instruments to measure property
- plan or organize work
- plan forestation, reforestation, or range revegetation projects
- recognize plant diseases
- recognize tree or forest plant species
- recognize wood species characteristics
- identify plant characteristics
- identify diseased, weak or undesirable trees
- work as a team member
- determine best method for attacking fire
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
- 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.
- Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.
- 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.
- Install gauges, stream flow recorders, and soil moisture measuring instruments, and collect and record data from them to assist with watershed analysis.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
92nd Street Y Camp Tevah for Science and Nature
Camp Tevah focuses on the dynamic exploration of science and nature. The campers all possess a particular interest in nature and the environment and enjoy Tevah for its mix of science and nature-related program with more traditional camp activities such as swimming and sports. Although no science background is necessary, most of the activities will incorporate a hands-on investigation of the natural and physical world. For ages 8 to 11.
Learn MoreAmerican Museum of Natural History Courses, Institutes and Evenings for Educators
The American Museum of Natural History offers an extensive program of professional development in a variety of formats that provide educators at all levels with opportunities to deepen their content knowledge and address national and local performance standards in the natural and social sciences through interactions with scientists and educators and use of AMNH research, exhibitions, and print and online resources.
Learn MoreBiology Lesson Plans
Are you looking for complete, well written K12 lesson plans to add to your biology lessons? The topics at this site include: Neuroscience, General Anatomy and Physiology and Environmental Sciences and Animal Biology Activities.
Learn MoreBugscope
The Bugscope project is an educational outreach program for K12 classrooms. The project provides a resource to classrooms so that they may remotely operate a scanning electron microscope to image bugs at high magnification. The microscope is remotely controlled in real time from a classroom computer over the Internet using a web browser.
Learn MoreDeBruce Environmental Education Camp
Discover the interconnectedness of life on earth at Camp BeBruce in the Catskills. The campers participate in a discovery group while at camp, completing six lessons ranging from group dynamics to field, forest, and pond explorations, to a study of human impact.
Learn MoreEnvironmental Education Summer Camps
Pack Forest offers teens who are 15 to 17 years old a chance to explore forestry, aquatic biology, wildlife management, field ecology and other environmental issues. Workshop attendees learn about professional forestry techniques.
Learn MoreLake Colby Environmental Education Camp
The Northern Adirondacks are the setting for Camp Colby campers. They participate in a discovery group while at camp, completing six lessons ranging from group dynamics to field, forest, and pond explorations, to a study of human impact.
Learn MoreLet's Talk About Insects
Let's Talk About Insects is designed to help students ages 9 to11 years of age gain an appreciation of insects; learn how insects grow and develop (metamorphosis), and learn the importance of insects in our environment.
Learn MoreNational Biological Information Infrastructure Your Home for Biological Information on the Web
The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is a broad, collaborative program to provide increased access to data and information on the nation's biological resources.The NBII links diverse, high-quality biological databases, information products, and analytical tools and topics that include Habitats, Plants, Animals and Other Organisms, Ecological Topics and more.
Learn MorePack Forest Environmental Education Summer Camp
Pack Forest offers teens a chance to explore forestry, aquatic biology, wildlife management, field ecology and other environmental issues. Workshop attendees learn about professional forestry techniques.
Learn MorePeconic Dunes and Camp Sea Wolf
These two unique environmental camps supply experiences provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The focus is on the stewardship of our natural resources and outdoor recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
Learn MoreRushford Environmental Education Camp
The Hanging Bog in Allegany County, NY is the setting for Camp Rushford campers. Participate in a discovery group while at camp, completing six lessons ranging from group dynamics to field, forest, and pond explorations, to a study of human impact.
Learn MoreSUNY New Paltz Summer Camp: Mad Science Nature Camp
Mad Science has sparked imaginative learning with their unique brand of engaging and educational live programs and activities. Nature Camp - Explore the natural world and the adaptations that allow birds and beast to thrive. Make plaster casts of animal tracks. Tie-dye t-shirts with vegetable dyes. Build a bird feeder, construct a bug house for observing insects, grow your own crystal garden and more!
Learn MoreScience technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreTech Prep, A National Secondary Program for High School Students
Tech Prep provides students with contextual hands on learning in a nonduplicative course of study focused on career and technical education.Tech Prep also creates a seamless course of study that aligns high school and college coursework.
Learn MoreTech Prep: National Program Secondary Programs for High School Students
Tech Prep provides students with contextual "hands-on" learning in a non-duplicative course of study focused on career and technical education.Tech Prep also creates a seamless course of study that aligns high school and college coursework.
Learn MoreTeens For Planet Earth
Are you fascinated by nature and the environment? Do you ever dream about working with or protecting wildlife? Are you worried about the future of our planet? The Teens for Planet Earth website can help you learn more about the environment and conservation, and use this knowledge to develop a project that'll have a real impact on your own corner of the globe.
Learn MoreWalk in the Woods
A Walk in the Woods is designed for third through fifth grade students to gain an appreciation of nature. Sometimes students are not able to go to a forest preserve or woods, so this brings the woods to them in a multi-media way.
Learn MoreWave Hill Street Trees Internship
Street Trees interns earn a license from the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Trees New York to care for New York City trees. Indoor and outdoor sessions promote stewardship of neighborhood trees and knowledge of tree biology, classification, pit gardening, pruning, and pests, including the Asian longhorned beetle; and how to have a tree planted on your block. Through outdoor adventures, such as hiking, bouldering, and sailing interns learn more about the city's natural environments.
Learn More