Forest and conservation technicians 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.

  • 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.
  • Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.
  • Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.
  • Develop and maintain computer databases.
  • Inspect trees and collect samples of plants, seeds, foliage, bark, and roots to locate insect and disease damage.
  • Measure distances, clean sightlines, and record data to help survey crews.
  • Issue fire permits, timber permits, and other forest use licenses.
  • Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas such as burns, cut-over areas, experimental plots, and timber sales sections.
  • Provide forestry education and general information, advice, and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations, and the general public.
  • Provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys, or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.
  • Conduct laboratory or field experiments with plants, animals, insects, diseases, and soils.
  • Install gauges, stream flow recorders, and soil moisture measuring instruments, and collect and record data from them to assist with watershed analysis.
Work Context
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 98% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 88% responded "Extremely important".
  • Electronic Mail — 82% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 68% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 52% responded "Contact with others most of the time".
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 56% responded "Once a week or more but not every day".
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 51% responded "Very important results".
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Work Activities
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Survey land or properties.
  • Prepare maps.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
  • Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
  • Manage agricultural or forestry operations.
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Knowledge

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.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
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Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making
  • Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Information Ordering
  • The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD LT Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
  • Corel Presentation
Map creation software
  • ESRI ArcGIS software Hot Technology
  • Traverse PC
  • RockWare ArcMap
  • Photogrammetric software
  • Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
  • Allegro Landmark
  • Ben Meadows Yeoman Expedition
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
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