How Do I Become a Conservation Technician?

A conservation technician examines natural land elements to detect or prevent damage to the environment. In order to become a conservation technician, you should have a strong interest in conservation efforts and the ability to work in harsh outdoor environments. Educational requirements for this career vary, but a high school diploma and one to four years of college training is typically needed. After you become a conservation technician, you will spend most of your time taking water and soil samples, conducting laboratory analyses, and writing detailed reports of your findings.

Having a strong interest in conservation efforts is essential for this career. You must also be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions to become a conservation technician. Excellent analytical thinking skills and attention to detail are needed as well. Superior communication abilities are also important to properly convey your findings to others. Good interpersonal skills will be needed in order to work effectively with other professionals in this field.

Educational training for this occupation should probably begin during high school. You should complete coursework in subjects such as biology, physics, and chemistry to prepare for college-level training. Completing advanced mathematics courses will also be helpful in this profession. It might be a good idea to become a member of an environmental conservation group or club to gain some insight into this field. These organizations often conduct field trips to inspect forests, wetlands, and aquatic habitats which may help you to gain practical experience for this occupation.

Most employers require some type of formal college training before you can become a conservation technician. These professionals are often hired after completing only one year of technical training and a brief internship. Other employers prefer to hire candidates with an associate’s degree in applied science or some related subject. In some cases, you may need to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and complete a one-year internship prior to employment. A period of on-the-job training is typically needed after hiring.

After you become a conservation technician, a great deal of your time will be spent gathering data from natural land areas. These areas may include wetlands, forests, and aquatic habitats such as lakes, rivers, and streams. You will carefully examine an outdoor area and collect various samples for future laboratory analysis. These samples will be analyzed to detect or prevent damage to the environment caused by pollution, construction, or other issues. The results of these analyses must be carefully recorded and referred to other professionals for corrective action.