Renewable Resources and Energy

Advanced Forestry Technician

Potential Earnings Range:

$25,542-$54,828*

Per year after graduation

Offered at

Job Corps Centers

Do you enjoy teamwork and physical tasks? Do you have a commitment to safety and a concern for others? Enjoy being outside and active? Then you may be a good fit for Job Corps’ Advanced Forestry Technician training program.

On the job, you will:

Work to measure and improve the quality of forests
Use digging and planting tools to plant seedlings
Use power saws to cut down diseased trees
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests and related natural resources

The credentials you'll earn:

In the Advanced Fire Management training program, you will earn industry-recognized credentials from such organizations as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Students should also earn a state-issued learner’s permit and driver’s license upon completion of the program.

Some of the career options you'll have:

Program graduates can go on to work in a variety of occupations in the forestry industry, including biology/hydrology technician, forest and conservation specialist, drilling explosive specialist, fire technician, firewatcher, forestry aide, forestry technician, land surveyor, log scaler, and road management technician.

Requirements:

High school diploma or the equivalent (can be earned at all Job Corps centers)
Complete a Job Corps basic training program
Meet academic (math and reading) requirements
At least 17 years old

Positive attendance and progress record
Written recommendation from Job Corps center personnel
Health clearance at current center
Strong work ethic and determination to succeed
Possess or be qualified to obtain a USDA Forest Service driver's license

* Salary information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program and is provided for planning purposes only. Actual salary will depend on student skill level, credentials earned, experience level and location.

Need help meeting one or more of these requirements?

Don’t worry! Speak with your current career training instructor at your campus. They will help you along your journey to make sure you have all the tools and resources you need to check those boxes and start your training.

Program Details

Explore location features and learn how to apply.

Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center

Program Details

Website: https://oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov/

Location:

Cherokee, NC

Availability:

10 slots

Application Information

Contact:

James Lawler

Email: james.r.lawler@usda.gov

Phone number: (828) 497-8042

Frenchburg Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center

Program Details

Website: https://frenchburg.jobcorps.gov/

Location:

Frenchburg, KY

Availability:

10 slots

Wolf Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center

Program Details

Website: https://wolfcreek.jobcorps.gov/

Location:

Glide, OR

Availability:

10 slots

Real Stories

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out these stories from real Job Corps students who have trained in this advanced training program.

Tavaris

Oconaluftee Job Corps Center

From being a Job Corps student to an instructor, Tavaris has done it all. Tavaris completed three different training areas at three different Job Corps campuses and is now an Advanced Forestry Instructor at Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center in North Carolina. He and the rest of his Advanced Training Wildland Fire Management class participated in hands-on, on-site training that included wildfire fighting, prescribed burns, assisting with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and various other U.S. Forest Service projects. “It was really great, being able to get a trade and education with free food and free lodging,” Tavaris said. After graduating from Job Corps, Tavaris participated in the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and was hired as a Forestry Technician at the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana. Although he was mainly focused on firefighting and prescribed burns, he also worked in wildlife and recreation. From there, Tavaris moved to the Cibola National Forest to work on the Engine Crew for eight years, and then he headed back to Job Corps to work as an instructor, where he hopes to stay for the foreseeable future.