Forest and Conservation Worker
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.
Annual openings
61
BLS median wage
$37,690
Typical education
High school (GED)
10-year growth
+20%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
High school (GED)
Credential requirement
No certification is required or expected for this job.
Work experience
No previous work experience is required.
Employer competency information
- Refer above to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities information. Good communication and teamwork skills are important for most Natural Resources jobs.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Automation exposure
High exposure
Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.
A typical day
- Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
- Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
- Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
- Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
- Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.