What does a conservation technician do?
Conservation technicians are responsible for handling technical, environmental science tasks like mapping, patrolling, and measuring land to assist conservation scientists and foresters. They generally work in the wilderness but can also work on air and sea resources. These technicians keep records of public and commercial activities within their jurisdiction and train conservation workers to plant trees and maintain the ground. Their jobs include managing protection crews who work to put out forest fires, collecting water or soil samples for pollutants, and checking wildlife and vegetation for diseases.
Conservation technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real conservation technician resumes:
- Lead crews to achieve goals of closing and reclaiming illegal ATV trails.
- Manage native grass to improve wildlife habitat and reduce woody encroachment.
- Survey back-country old-growth timber, fight forest fires, manage brush, and replant forests after harvest.
- Develop and conduct shoreline and wetland vegetation assessment methods utilizing GPS.
- Used GIS to develop a winter sign plan.
- Upload survey points collect with the engineer to AutoCAD.
- Identify and mark clusters of invasive plants using GPS devices.
- Define watersheds using ArcGIS and calculate peak discharge using NRCS software.
- Conduct fish passage assessment surveys for culverts on DNR own land.
- Provide program assistance and conservation planning for other state and federal Ag programs.
- Conduct OHV use field survey; input collect data into regional agency maps.
- Survey harvest unit boundaries and determine area of harvest units using GPS/GIS data.
- Maintain multiple boats (pontoon boat, electro-shock boat, and small fishing boat).
- Map land use types with ArcGIS, focusing on vegetation communities and invasive plant populations.
- Conduct visitor patrols, including monitoring of special and /or specific BLM designate areas or sites.
Conservation technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Conservation Technicians are proficient in GRASS, Natural Resources, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Observational skills.
We break down the percentage of Conservation Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GRASS, 25%
Implement habitat improvement program operating tractor and seeder to reseed Base airfield with desired grass species.
- Natural Resources, 13%
Assisted in collecting live specimens and preparing environmental experiments for Natural Resources and Environmental Science Labs.
- Data Entry, 6%
Supervised Interns Data Entry Collections Management Special Projects Work Seasonal Maintenance Records Maintenance Research/Cataloging Managed Collection Databases
- Hand Tools, 6%
Create a localized map of plans and progress as clearing of invasive plant species began using hand tools and tractors.
- Cost-Share, 4%
Completed DATCP SWRM Grant cost-share contracts and reimbursement requests on projects.
- GPS, 4%
Survey using GPS, and Robotic Total Station.
Most conservation technicians use their skills in "grass," "natural resources," and "data entry" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential conservation technician responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a conservation technician to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what conservation technicians do because "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Additionally, a conservation technician resume shows how conservation technicians use analytical skills: "utilized collection management database (tms). "
Communication skills. Many conservation technician duties rely on communication skills. "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists," so a conservation technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways conservation technician responsibilities rely on communication skills: "used keen observational skills and strong communication with conservation law enforcement to find and remove trespassers. "
Observational skills. This is an important skill for conservation technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how conservation technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a conservation technician: "used keen observational skills and strong communication with conservation law enforcement to find and remove trespassers. ".
Technical skills. A big part of what conservation technicians do relies on "technical skills." You can see how essential it is to conservation technician responsibilities because "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical conservation technician tasks: "grant funded position to preserve or increase conservation technical assistance to landowners. "
The three companies that hire the most conservation technicians are:
- Great Parks of Hamilton County6 conservation technicians jobs
- Peraton3 conservation technicians jobs
- Delaware State Government
2 conservation technicians jobs
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Compare different conservation technicians
Conservation technician vs. Fire management officer
A fire management officer ensures regular safe housekeeping and inspections take place. They ensure fire safety audits take place and appropriate actions get implemented. Besides reporting hazards and the implemented remedial actions, fire management officers monitor the organization's daily fire safety functions, fire protection, and fire prevention. These professionals ensure that the staff members have access to the appropriate emergency response procedures and written fire safety procedures. Also, they ensure fire protection systems and fire safety equipment remain tested and maintained.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a conservation technician are more likely to require skills like "grass," "natural resources," "data entry," and "hand tools." On the other hand, a job as a fire management officer requires skills like "management plans," "logistics," "resource management," and "financial reports." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, fire management officers reach higher levels of education than conservation technicians. Fire management officers are 14.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Conservation technician vs. Forestry aide
A natural resource technician assists other environmental specialists in collecting and compiling environmental data and in using that information to assess how natural resources are impacted by bioenergy. A natural resource technician is typically supervised by a senior natural resource specialist. This position requires a bachelor's degree in environmental science. The responsibilities of this position include analyzing environmental problems, developing plans that guide policy makers, and providing data on possible outcomes of bioenergy deployment.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, conservation technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "grass," "natural resources," "data entry," and "cost-share." Meanwhile, a forestry aide has duties that require skills in areas such as "fire suppression," "fire behavior," "rehabilitation," and "firefighting." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Forestry aides tend to reach similar levels of education than conservation technicians. In fact, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Conservation technician vs. Resource manager forester
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, conservation technicians are more likely to have skills like "grass," "natural resources," "data entry," and "hand tools." But a resource manager forester is more likely to have skills like "harvest," "management plans," "powershell," and "sccm."
Resource managers forester typically earn similar educational levels compared to conservation technicians. Specifically, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Conservation technician vs. Natural resource technician
Types of conservation technician
Updated January 8, 2025
