CAREER

Forest and Conservation Workers

Overview

Salary Median (2020)

$30,640

Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)

-0.5% (little or no change)

Most Common Level of Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Career

What Forest and Conservation Workers Do

Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.

Other Job Titles Forest and Conservation Workers May Have

Conservation Officer, Field Laborer, Forest Resource Specialist, Forestry Support Specialist, Geographic Information Systems Coordinator (GIS Coordinator), Park Maintainer, Reforestation Worker, Tree Planter

How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work

Conservation Corps Manager and Field Institute Assistant ,

Rocky Mountain Conservancy

Coordinating gear, housing, programming, credits, and stipends for interns. Partnering with federal agencies to develop an engaging and constructive experience for the conservation corps crews working in the field. Developing new programs for the Field Institute and new outlets for marketing and outreach. Managing the registrations and payment for classes through workplace databases and corresponding with participants.


Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

  • Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
  • Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
  • Gather, package, or deliver forest products to buyers.
  • Sow or harvest cover crops, such as alfalfa.
  • Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.

This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.