Conservation Technician Job Description

Conservation technicians seek to preserve the environment through research.

Conservation technicians compile data and samples of natural resources. According to Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, forest and conservation technicians held about 34,000 jobs in the United States in 2007. A majority of the jobs were with the federal government.

Function

Conservation technicians analyze wildlife movement, animal habitats, tree condition and plant growth. They take measurements, gather soil and water samples, inspect insect damage, and assess possible fire hazards. They may also educate schoolchildren and the public about conservation and the environment.

Training

A background and enthusiasm for science is a core prerequisite for interested conservation technician candidates. The Sloan Career Cornerstone Center recommends college students select a laboratory-oriented major with additional emphasis on courses in applied chemistry, physics and math. Interested candidates should earn an associate's degree from an accredited community college or technical school. Among 21 accredited Forest and Conservation Technology programs are those offered at Reedley College, Hocking College, Eastern Oklahoma State College and Mt. Hood Community College.

Work Environment

Irregular hours, weekend and holiday work comes with becoming a conservation technician. They have to monitor experiments and samples that often cannot be completed during the scope of a traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work day. Technicians also should be prepared to work in a variety of weather conditions, as most of their work is conducted outdoors, and often in remote areas.

Earnings

According to the BLS, the median hourly wage for conservation technicians was $15.39 in May 2008. Employees of the federal government earned median wages of $17.36 during the same period. Technicians in Alaska were the highest earners, bringing home median hourly earnings of $20.33.

Job Outlook

According to the BLS, jobs for conservation technicians are expected to grow by 9 percent through 2018. The BLS advises that new opportunities will continue to develop in the area of urban forestry -- the study of trees in urban settings. Increased awareness on conservation issues also will spur demand for these jobs.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Science Technicians
• Sloan Career Cornerstone Center