Agriculture

Conservation Technician

Do you love the outdoors? Are you passionate about saving the environment? Get a career that will help save the planet!

Assist scientists and land managers by collecting environmental data, maintaining conservation areas, and implementing sustainable land management practices.

Salary Range

$30,000 – $55,000

per year (10th–90th percentile)

Median Salary

$38,940

per year

Growth Outlook

Average Growth

2024–2034 projected

Prevent wildfires. Preserve amazing american landscapes. Work outside independently with Nature! Learn skills that will help better and save the planet.

Browse Conservation Tech Jobs

Tasks & Responsibilities

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.
Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
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.

Tools of the Trade

Commercial fishing netsReforestation equipmentTheodolitesPortable data input terminalsMeasuring tapesCalipersLumbering equipmentRecreational motorboatsRangefindersWheel bulldozersMoisture metersDredgersHeight gaugesRainfall recordersFire suppression hand toolsForestry increment borersTrack excavatorsLight trucks or sport utility vehiclesSoil core sampling apparatusWater pumpsSnowplow attachmentsDecorticatorsRadarbased surveillance systemsOpen stream current metersDump trucksEarthmoving shovelsSprayersMotorcyclesGeological compassesAgricultural tractorsScannersMeasuring rodsFishing boatsPrismsTow trucksPisciculture suppliesEarthmoving buckets or its parts or accessoriesGeological prospecting apparatusOpen stream water level recordersArticulating boom liftHandheld refractometers or polarimetersForestry sawsWater metersFire fighting pump truckFertilizer spreaders or distributorsLawnmowersHydraulic truck cranesVideo editorsAll terrain vehicles tracked or wheeledLaser measuring systemsConventional truck cranesTug boatsMagnetometer geophysical instrumentsDigital camcorders or video camerasMeasuring wheels for distanceWater samplersLasersLightersGlobal positioning system GPS receiverMap measurersPower sawsTwo way radiosWater trucksClinometersFront end loadersPlantersHarrowsTrack bulldozersNotebook computersForkliftspH metersMetal detectorsShovelsDigital camerasWedgesSeed drillsAxesDibblersDesktop computersPersonal computersWinchesBackhoesTensiometers

Knowledge Areas

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. 70/100

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 67/100

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. 63/100

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. 61/100

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 59/100

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. 59/100

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 57/100

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 57/100

Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. 56/100

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 56/100