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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Part of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, in the Natural Resources Systems pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 19-4071.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
  • Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
  • 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.

What it pays

$48,380
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $41,070
Experienced workers reach $62,990
  1. $41k10th
  2. $48k25th
  3. $48kMedian
  4. $57k75th
  5. $63k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $41,070, 25th $48,140, Median $48,380, 75th $56,740, 90th $62,990

About 40 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

-3%

U.S. employment change

3,900

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

33,800

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: Associate's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Active Listening3.8
  2. Critical Thinking3.4
  3. Reading Comprehension3.8
  4. Speaking3.5
  5. Judgment and Decision Making3.4
  6. Time Management3.3
  7. Monitoring3.6
  8. Coordination3.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less35%
  2. Certificate5%
  3. Some college10%
  4. Associate degree35%
  5. Bachelor's degree15%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • San Antonio
  1. Environmental Science

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

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