a guide to natural resource career pathways in central oregon
TRANSCRIPT
A Guide to Natural Resource Career Pathways in Central Oregon
A Guide to Natural Resources Career Pathways in Central Oregon
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Overview of Natural Resource Fields and Employers 4-10
Natural Resource Career Pathway Stories 11-17
You Don’t Need to Work In the Outdoors to Work For the Outdoors 18
Getting Your Foot in the Door 19
Natural Resources Career Exploration Program and Opportunties in Central Oregon 20
Looking for a Federal Job? Tips for Success 21
Pacific Northwest Colleges with Degrees Related to Natural Resources 22-24
Cover Page Photo Credit: Paul Telenka
IntroductionWhat is Natural Resource Management?Natural resources are materials that occur naturally, such as timber, coal, oil, water, air, fish, animals, and land. Natural resource management is the responsible supervision or handling of these resources. This field considers the physical, biological, economic and social aspects of handling natural resources and involves putting resources to their best use for human purposes, in addition to preserving natural systems.
What are Careers in Natural Resources?When you think of a natural resources job, what do you picture? Many people think of a park ranger or a fire lookout and have the image of working outdoors in a beautiful setting. However, there are a huge variety of natural resources jobs from monitoring water to tracking wildlife, building fire line to entering data on a computer, speaking in front of a large crowd in a popular park to only seeing a few people over the course of a week. There is also a wide range of skill-levels required for natural resource jobs, from low-skill, entry-level jobs open to very young workers to high-skill jobs open only to those with advanced degrees and high levels of training and experience. In Oregon and across the United States, hundreds of thousands of professionals are working every day to manage and best utilize our natural resources to protect public health, preserve wildlife and habitat, mitigate disasters and meet the demands of growing populations for water, food, recreation, and energy supplies.
Overview of the GuideThis guide was developed to help young people who might be interested in careers in natural resources to learn more about entering this field. We begin by providing information about the range and variety of jobs in the natural resources field, including who potential employers are in Central Oregon. Next, we share examples of career pathways of natural resource professionals in our region, highlighting the steps they took along they way to make it to their current position. Finally, we provide some tips and insight for where to get started, opportunities for career exploration in your school and community, and options to pursue a degree in a natural resources-related field.
This guide was developed with input from multiple stakeholders including K-12 education, federal agencies, and non-profits.
The
Fiel
d of
Wha
t is
a Fo
rest
ry P
rofe
ssio
nal?
Fore
stry
pr
ofes
sion
als
gath
er
info
rmat
ion
abou
t fo
rest
res
ourc
es a
nd m
ake
deci
sion
s to
bes
t m
anag
e th
em.
A
fo
rest
ry
prof
essi
onal
m
ay
deve
lop
and
eval
uate
for
est,
and
fire
man
agem
ent
plan
s, pr
ovid
e te
chni
cal a
dvic
e, o
r des
ign
plan
s w
ith in
terd
isci
plin
ary
team
s of
em
ploy
ees
to k
eep
fore
sts
and
gras
slan
d en
viro
nmen
ts h
ealth
y.
Fore
stry
pro
fess
iona
ls in
clud
e re
crea
tion
spec
ialis
ts, p
rofe
ssio
nals
with
exp
ertis
e in
fir
e an
d fu
els
man
agem
ent,
envi
ronm
enta
l / la
nd u
se
FORE
STRY plan
ners
an
d co
nser
vatio
n,
wat
ersh
ed,
and
wild
life
man
agem
ent
prof
essi
onal
s. M
ost
use
GIS
/GPS
and
rem
ote
sens
ing
skill
s.
Wha
t is
the
FIel
d of
For
estr
y?
The
field
of f
ores
try
com
bine
s phy
sica
l, bi
olog
ical
an
d en
gine
erin
g sc
ienc
es to
man
age
and
impr
ove
our
natio
n’s
fore
st la
nds
in b
oth
rura
l and
urb
an
sett
ings
. Th
ese
land
s no
t on
ly in
clud
e th
e tr
ees
of a
fore
st b
ut o
ther
pla
nts,
the
soil,
wat
er, w
ildlif
e an
d hu
man
use
.
Who
Em
ploy
s Fo
rest
ry P
rofe
ssio
nals
? -
U.S
For
est S
ervi
ce -
Nat
iona
l Par
k Se
rvic
e -
Trus
t for
Pub
lic L
and
- O
rego
n D
epar
tmen
t of F
ish
and
Wild
life
How
Can
I G
et E
xper
ienc
e in
the
Fore
stry
Com
mun
ity?
-
Yout
h Pr
ogra
ms
& E
mpl
oym
ent:
Juni
or N
atur
alis
t Pro
gram
at
Sunr
iver
Nat
ure
Cent
er, Y
outh
Con
serv
atio
n Co
rps
(YCC
) with
U
.S F
ores
t Ser
vice
- Vo
lunt
eer:
Sunr
iver
Nat
ure
Cent
er, T
he N
atur
e Co
nser
vanc
y Re
stor
atio
n W
orkp
artie
s
- Pr
ivat
e fir
efigh
ting
cont
ract
ors
with
the
Fo
rest
Ser
vice
, lik
e G
FP E
mer
genc
y -
Sunr
iver
Nat
ure
Cent
er
Wha
t are
ex
ampl
es o
f ca
reer
s in
For
estr
y?
Man
agem
ent
Tech
nici
an
Prov
ide
tech
nica
l wor
k in
sup
port
of a
nd
supe
rvis
ed b
y st
aff
- Fi
re P
rogr
am A
ssis
tant
- Fo
rest
ry A
ide
- Fo
rest
ry Te
chni
cian
- Pl
ant P
rote
ctio
n
Tech
nici
an-
Soil
Cons
erva
tion
Te
chni
cian
Man
age
or a
dmin
iste
r pr
ogra
ms
and
supe
rvis
e st
aff
- Fo
rest
Man
ager
- Fo
rest
Sup
ervi
sor
- Pr
ofes
sor
- Fi
re M
anag
er
Educ
atio
n an
d Tr
aini
ng N
eede
dA
ssoc
iate
’s or
Bac
helo
r’s
Deg
ree
in re
late
d fie
ldM
aste
r’s o
r PhD
in a
rela
ted
field
and
exp
erie
nce
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- Ca
mpg
roun
d
M
aint
enan
ce-
Inte
rnsh
ips
- Tr
ail C
rew
- Vo
lunt
eer
Prof
essi
onal
Prov
ide
key
deci
sion
-mak
ing
on th
e de
sign
and
im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
and
prog
ram
s
- A
rbor
ist
- Bo
tani
st-
Cons
ultin
g-
Fore
st F
ire M
anag
emen
t
Offi
cer
- Fo
rest
er, R
esea
rch
Fore
ster
- Fi
re C
omm
unic
atio
n
Sp
ecia
list
- Fu
els
Fore
ster
- Si
lvic
ultu
rist
- So
il Sc
ient
ist
- U
rban
For
este
r-
Woo
d Sc
ient
ist
Bach
elor
’s or
Mas
ter’s
Deg
ree
in re
late
d fie
ldH
igh
Scho
ol
Dip
lom
a
Entr
y Le
vel
The
Fiel
d of
Wha
t is
a W
ildlif
e an
d Fi
sher
ies
Prof
essi
onal
?A
fish
and
wild
life
prof
essi
onal
may
wor
k in
res
earc
h to
det
erm
ine
the
stat
us o
f an
imal
pop
ulat
ions
, th
e in
tera
ctio
ns b
etw
een
anim
als,
how
ani
mal
s re
act
to
diffe
rent
env
ironm
enta
l co
nditi
ons,
and
an a
nim
al’s
habi
tat
requ
irem
ents
, be
havi
or o
r di
strib
utio
n.
Fish
an
d w
ildlif
e m
anag
ers
put
this
inf
orm
atio
n to
use
in
the
fiel
d by
des
igni
ng p
ract
ices
tha
t im
prov
e fis
h an
d w
ildlif
e po
pula
tions
. M
uch
of fi
sh a
nd w
ildlif
e m
anag
emen
t is
act
ually
peo
ple
man
agem
ent.
Ski
llful
com
mun
icat
ion,
writ
ten
and
oral
, is
one
of
the
mos
t im
port
ant
tool
s a
fish
and
wild
life
prof
essi
onal
use
s.
Wha
t is t
he F
ield
of
Wild
life
& F
ishe
ries
?Fi
sher
ies
and
wild
life
are
scie
ntifi
c di
scip
lines
in
clud
ing
rese
arch
, man
agem
ent,
educ
atio
n,
and
law
enf
orce
men
t to
sus
tain
fish
and
w
ildlif
e po
pula
tions
.
Who
Em
ploy
s Wild
life
and
Fish
erie
s Pr
ofes
sion
als?
- U
.S F
ores
t Ser
vice
- N
atio
nal P
ark
Serv
ice
- Tr
out U
nlim
ited
- O
rego
n D
epar
tmen
t of F
ish
and
Wild
life
(OD
FW)
How
Can
I G
et E
xper
ienc
e in
the
Wild
life
and
Fish
erie
s Co
mm
unit
y?
- Yo
uth
Prog
ram
s &
Em
ploy
men
t: Y
outh
Con
serv
atio
n Co
rps
(YCC
), H
eart
of
Ore
gon
Corp
s (H
OC)
, 4H
OSU
Ext
ensi
on-
Volu
ntee
r: Su
nriv
er N
atur
e Ce
nter
, The
Nat
ure
Cons
erva
ncy
Rest
orat
ion
Wor
kpar
ties,
Koka
nee
Carn
ival
, Hig
h D
eser
t Mus
eum
, Wiz
ard
Falls
Fis
h H
atch
ery,
Ore
gon
Dep
artm
ent o
f Fis
h an
d W
ildlif
e (O
DFW
)
Wha
t are
ex
ampl
es o
f ca
reer
s in
Wild
life
and
Fish
erie
s?
Man
agem
ent
Tech
nici
an
Prov
ide
tech
nica
l wor
k in
sup
port
of a
nd
supe
rvis
ed b
y st
aff
- Bi
olog
ical
Sci
ence
Te
chni
cian
- Fi
sher
ies T
echn
icia
n-
Wild
life
Tech
nici
an
Man
age
or a
dmin
iste
r pr
ogra
ms
and
supe
rvis
e st
aff
- D
istr
ict W
ildlif
e
Man
ager
- Fi
sh H
atch
ery
Man
ager
- Pr
ofes
sor
- Su
perv
isor
y Bi
olog
ist
- W
ildlif
e Re
fuge
Man
ager
Educ
atio
n an
d Tr
aini
ng N
eede
dA
ssoc
iate
’s D
egre
e an
d/or
som
e ex
perie
nce
in a
re
late
d fie
ld
Mas
ter’s
or P
hD in
a re
late
d fie
ld a
nd e
xper
ienc
e
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- Ca
mpg
roun
d
M
aint
enan
ce-
Inte
rnsh
ips
- Tr
ail C
rew
- Vo
lunt
eer
Prof
essi
onal
Prov
ide
key
deci
sion
-mak
ing
on th
e de
sign
and
im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
and
prog
ram
s
- A
nim
al R
esea
rch
Scie
ntis
t-
Biol
ogic
al S
cien
tist
- Ec
olog
ist
- En
tom
olog
ist
- En
viro
nmen
tal S
cien
tist
- Fi
sher
ies
Biol
ogis
t
- M
amm
alog
ist
- Re
sear
ch S
cien
tist
- W
ildlif
e Bi
olog
ist
- Zo
olog
ist
- H
abita
t Con
serv
atio
n
Sp
ecia
list
Bach
elor
’s or
Mas
ter’s
Deg
ree
in b
iolo
gy, e
colo
gy,
natu
ral r
esou
rces
, zoo
logy
or r
elat
ed fi
eld
Hig
h Sc
hool
D
iplo
ma
Entr
y Le
vel
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- In
tern
ship
s
- O
SU C
asca
des
- CO
CCWIL
DLI
FE A
ND
FIS
HER
IES
The
Fiel
d of
Wha
t is
a W
ater
Man
agem
ent P
rofe
ssio
nal?
Wat
er is
not
onl
y on
e of
our
mos
t im
port
ant r
esou
rces
, it
also
link
s m
any
envi
ronm
enta
l sys
tem
s to
geth
er, a
nd
is c
entr
al to
man
y en
viro
nmen
tal p
robl
ems.
Bec
ause
of
gro
win
g w
ater
nee
ds o
f hum
ans,
and
beca
use
wat
er
span
s m
ultip
le ju
risdi
ctio
nal b
ound
arie
s, th
e fie
ld o
f w
ater
man
agem
ent i
s ch
alle
ngin
g. W
ater
man
agem
ent
prof
essi
onal
s m
ust n
ot o
nly
be s
kille
d in
the
scie
nces
, bu
t als
o in
pro
blem
sol
ving
, com
mun
icat
ion,
and
w
orki
ng w
ith o
ther
nat
ural
reso
urce
pro
fess
iona
ls.
WAT
ER M
ANAG
EMEN
TW
hat i
s the
Fie
ld o
f Wat
er M
anag
e-m
ent?
W
ater
man
agem
ent a
pplie
s ph
ysic
al,
chem
ical
, and
bio
logi
cal s
cien
ces
alon
g w
ith
mat
h, te
chno
logy
, eng
inee
ring,
eco
nom
ics,
and
law
to m
akin
g de
cisi
ons
abou
t bot
h w
ater
qua
lity
and
wat
er q
uant
ity.
Who
Em
ploy
s Wat
er M
anag
emen
t Pro
fess
iona
ls?
- U
.S F
ores
t Ser
vice
-
Cent
ral O
rego
n Irr
igat
ion
Dis
tric
t (CO
ID)
- N
atio
nal P
ark
Serv
ice
- O
SU C
asca
des
- O
rego
n D
epar
tmen
t of F
ish
and
Wild
life
- CO
CC-
Upp
er D
esch
utes
Wat
ersh
ed C
ounc
il -
Des
chut
es, C
rook
or J
effer
son
Coun
ty-
Trou
t Unl
imite
d
How
Can
I G
et E
xper
ienc
e in
the
Wat
er M
anag
emen
t Fie
ld?
- Yo
uth
Prog
ram
s &
Em
ploy
men
t: U
pper
Des
chut
es W
ater
shed
Co
unci
l Ste
war
dshi
p Pr
ojec
ts, Y
outh
Con
serv
atio
n Co
rps
(YCC
)-
Volu
ntee
r: Su
nriv
er N
atur
e Ce
nter
, Env
ironm
enta
l Cen
ter,
The
Nat
ure
Cons
erva
ncy
Rest
orat
ion
wor
kpar
ties
Wha
t are
ex
ampl
es o
f ca
reer
s in
Wat
er
Man
agem
ent?
Man
agem
ent
Tech
nici
an
Prov
ide
tech
nica
l wor
k in
sup
port
of a
nd
supe
rvis
ed b
y st
aff
- Aq
uatic
Bio
logi
st-
Aqua
tic R
esto
ratio
n-
Aqua
tic To
xico
logi
st-
Envi
ronm
enta
l Sa
mpl
ing
& M
onito
ring
Tech
nici
an-
Hyd
rolo
gy Te
chni
cian
- La
b A
naly
sis T
echn
icia
n-
Gro
und
Wat
er
Rem
edia
tion
Tech
nici
an-
Hyd
raul
ic S
peci
alis
t
Man
age
or a
dmin
iste
r pr
ogra
ms
and
supe
rvis
e st
aff
- Pl
ant O
pera
tor
- W
ater
Tre
atm
ent
Ope
rato
r
Educ
atio
n an
d Tr
aini
ng N
eede
dA
ssoc
iate
’s D
egre
e an
d/or
ex
perie
nce
in re
late
d fie
ldM
aste
r’s o
r PhD
in re
late
d fie
ld a
nd e
xper
ienc
e
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- In
tern
ship
s
Prof
essi
onal
Prov
ide
key
deci
sion
-mak
ing
on th
e de
sign
and
im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
and
prog
ram
s
- H
ydro
geol
ogis
t-
Hyd
rolo
gist
- St
orm
wat
er Te
chni
cian
- Su
rfac
e W
ater
Mon
itorin
g Te
chni
cian
- W
ater
Law
Exp
ert
- W
ater
Tre
atm
ent E
xper
t
- W
ater
Qua
lity
Ana
lyst
- W
ater
Qua
lity
Educ
ator
- W
etla
nd D
elin
eatio
n
Sp
ecia
list
- W
ater
Sup
ply
Fore
cast
er-
Wat
er R
ecyc
ling
Engi
neer
- W
ater
shed
Pla
nner
Bach
elor
’s or
Ass
ocia
te’s
Deg
ree
in re
late
d fie
ldH
igh
Scho
ol
Dip
lom
a
Entr
y Le
vel
The
Fiel
d of
Wha
t is
a G
eosc
ienc
e Pr
ofes
sion
al?
The
wor
k an
d ca
reer
pa
th
of
a ge
osci
ence
pr
ofes
sion
al
is
ofte
n qu
ite
varie
d.
M
any
geos
cien
ce p
rofe
ssio
nals
are
hire
d fo
r exp
lora
tion,
de
velo
pmen
t, pr
oduc
tion
and
rese
arch
. S
ome
inve
stig
ate
the
eart
h’s
phys
ical
en
viro
nmen
t in
clud
ing
its s
oils
, oce
ans
and
atm
osph
ere
whi
le
othe
rs m
easu
re g
loba
l cl
imat
e ch
ange
, lo
cate
ad
equa
te s
uppl
ies
of n
atur
al re
sour
ces
to b
alan
ce
dem
and
with
long
-ter
m s
usta
inab
ility
.
GEO
SCIE
NCE
Wha
t is
the
Fiel
d of
Geo
scie
nce?
G
eosc
ienc
e is
a s
cien
tific
field
tha
t in
volv
es t
he
colle
ctio
n an
d in
terp
reta
tion
of
data
ab
out
the
Eart
h in
ord
er t
o im
prov
e th
e qu
ality
and
hum
an
life.
Maj
or d
isci
plin
es o
f geo
scie
nce
incl
ude
geol
ogy,
ge
ophy
sics
, hy
drol
ogy,
oc
eano
grap
hy,
mar
ine
scie
nce,
at
mos
pher
ic
scie
nce,
pl
anet
ary
scie
nce,
m
eteo
rolo
gy, e
nviro
nmen
tal s
cien
ce, a
nd so
il sci
ence
.
Who
Em
ploy
s La
nd M
anag
emen
t Pro
fess
iona
ls?
- Bu
reau
of L
and
Man
agem
ent (
BLM
) -
Nat
iona
l Par
k Se
rvic
e -
Min
ing
Com
pani
es (e
.g. S
unst
one
Min
ing
Com
pany
)
How
Can
I G
et E
xper
ienc
e in
the
Land
Man
agem
ent C
omm
unit
y?
- Yo
uth
Prog
ram
s &
Em
ploy
men
t: Y
outh
Con
serv
atio
n Co
rps
(YCC
), H
eart
of
Ore
gon
Corp
s (H
OC)
, 4H
OSU
Ext
ensi
on-
Volu
ntee
r: G
eosc
ient
ists
in th
e Pa
rks
Inte
rnsh
ips
- Nat
iona
l Par
ks S
ervi
ce,
Anc
estr
al L
ands
Con
serv
atio
n Co
rps,
Mos
aics
in S
cien
ce D
iver
sity
In
tern
ship
s, St
uden
t Con
serv
atio
n A
ssoc
iatio
n, U
nive
rsity
cla
sses
Wha
t are
ex
ampl
es o
f ca
reer
s in
G
eosc
ienc
e
Man
agem
ent
Tech
nici
an
Prov
ide
tech
nica
l wor
k in
sup
port
of a
nd
supe
rvis
ed b
y st
aff
- G
eote
chni
cian
- So
il Co
nser
vatio
n
Tech
nici
an
Man
age
or a
dmin
iste
r pr
ogra
ms
and
supe
rvis
e st
aff
- Su
perv
isor
y G
eolo
gist
- Su
perv
isor
y Ph
ysic
al
Sc
ient
ist
Educ
atio
n an
d Tr
aini
ng N
eede
dA
ssoc
iate
’s D
egre
e an
d/or
som
e ex
perie
nce
in
rela
ted
field
Mas
ter’s
or P
hD in
a re
late
d fie
ld a
nd e
xper
ienc
e
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- In
tern
ship
s
Prof
essi
onal
Prov
ide
key
deci
sion
-mak
ing
on th
e de
sign
and
im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
and
prog
ram
s
- A
tmos
pher
ic S
cien
tist
- Ec
onom
ic G
eolo
gist
- En
gine
erin
g G
eolo
gist
- En
viro
nmen
tal C
onsu
ltant
- En
viro
nmen
tal G
eolo
gist
- M
inin
g G
eolo
gist
- G
eoch
emis
t-
Geo
logi
st-
Geo
mor
phol
ogis
t-
Hyd
roge
olog
ist
- H
ydro
logi
st-
Mar
ine
Geo
logi
st-
Met
eoro
logi
st-
Oce
anog
raph
er-
Petr
oleu
m E
ngin
eer
- Ph
ysic
al S
cien
tist
- Pr
ofes
sor
- Re
sear
ch G
eoph
ysic
ist
- Se
dim
ento
logi
st-
Soil
Scie
ntis
t
Bach
elor
’s or
Ass
ocia
te’s
Deg
ree
in re
late
d fie
ldH
igh
Scho
ol
Dip
lom
a
Entr
y Le
vel
The
Fiel
d of
Wha
t is a
Par
ks a
nd R
ecre
atio
n Pr
ofes
sion
al?
A p
arks
and
recr
eatio
n pr
ofes
sion
al p
lans
, org
aniz
es,
and
adm
inis
ters
rec
reat
ion
prog
ram
s, se
rvic
es a
nd
activ
ities
in
a va
riety
of
sett
ings
and
to
dive
rse
audi
ence
s. P
arks
and
recr
eatio
n pr
ofes
sion
als
may
w
ork
at n
atio
nal,
stat
e or
loc
al p
arks
and
ope
n sp
ace,
spor
ts c
ente
rs, r
esor
ts, a
nd c
amps
. Par
ks a
nd
recr
eatio
n pr
ofes
sion
als m
ust w
ork
wel
l with
oth
ers
whi
le e
xhib
iting
lea
ders
hip,
cre
ativ
ity a
nd g
ood
deci
sion
-mak
ing.
PARK
S &
REC
REAT
ION
Wha
t is
the
Fiel
d of
Par
ks a
nd R
ecre
atio
n?
Park
s an
d Re
crea
tion
focu
ses
on t
he h
uman
use
of
nat
ural
reso
urce
s fo
r enj
oym
ent,
soci
aliz
atio
n,
educ
atio
n,
heal
th
and
wel
l-bei
ng.
The
fie
ld
com
bine
s kn
owle
dge
of t
he e
nviro
nmen
t w
ith
skill
s in
soc
ial s
cien
ces,
econ
omic
s, an
d bu
sine
ss.
Who
Em
ploy
s Pa
rks
& R
ecre
atio
n Pr
ofes
sion
als?
- N
atio
nal P
ark
Serv
ice
- D
esch
utes
Lan
d Tr
ust
- O
rego
n St
ate
Park
s -
Bend
, Red
mon
d, S
iste
rs, L
a Pi
ne a
nd C
rook
Co
unty
Par
k an
d Re
crea
tion
Dis
tric
ts
How
Can
I G
et E
xper
ienc
e in
the
Park
s &
Rec
reat
ion
Com
mun
ity?
-
Yout
h Pr
ogra
ms
& E
mpl
oym
ent:
Ben
d Pa
rk a
nd R
ecre
atio
n
Dis
tric
t Pro
gram
s - S
port
s, O
utdo
or a
nd Y
outh
Pro
gram
s; Y
outh
Co
nser
vatio
n Co
rps
(YCC
), H
eart
of O
rego
n Co
rps
(HO
C)-
Volu
ntee
r: Vo
lunt
eer w
ith P
ark
and
Recr
eatio
n ev
ents
- O
SU C
asca
des
- CO
CC
Wha
t are
ex
ampl
es o
f ca
reer
s in
Par
ks
and
Recr
eati
on
Man
agem
ent
Tech
nici
an
Prov
ide
tech
nica
l wor
k in
sup
port
of a
nd
supe
rvis
ed b
y st
aff
- Co
mm
unity
Ass
ista
nt-
Educ
atio
nTec
hnic
ian
- En
viro
nmen
tal
Tech
nici
an-
Park
s Tec
hnic
ian
- Ra
nger
Ass
ista
nt-
Recr
eatio
n Te
chni
cian
- Vi
sito
r Ser
vice
s
Adm
inis
trat
ive
Ass
ista
nt-
Wild
erne
ss Te
chni
cian
Man
age
or a
dmin
iste
r pr
ogra
ms
and
supe
rvis
e st
aff
- D
irect
or o
f Act
iviti
es-
Dire
ctor
of E
duca
tion
- D
irect
or o
f Par
ks, T
rails
and
Recr
eatio
n-
Dis
tric
t Man
ager
- Pu
blic
Lan
ds D
irect
or-
Sum
mer
Cam
p
Dire
ctor
Educ
atio
n an
d Tr
aini
ng N
eede
dA
ssoc
iate
’s or
Bac
helo
r’s
in re
late
d fie
ld a
nd/o
r ex
perie
nce
Bach
elor
’s D
egre
e in
a
rela
ted
field
and
ex
perie
nce
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- In
tern
ship
s
Prof
essi
onal
Prov
ide
key
deci
sion
-mak
ing
on th
e de
sign
and
im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
and
prog
ram
s
- Co
mm
unity
Org
aniz
er-
Educ
atio
n Sp
ecia
list
- En
viro
nmen
tal E
duca
tor
- Ev
ent C
oord
inat
or-
Fiel
d In
stru
ctor
- N
atur
alis
t-
Out
reac
h Co
ordi
nato
r-
Park
Ran
ger I
nter
pret
atio
n-
Park
s Pl
anne
r-
Play
grou
nd S
afet
y In
spec
tor
- Pr
ogra
m C
oord
inat
or-
Recr
eatio
n
Co
ordi
nato
r-
Recr
eatio
n Pl
anne
r-
Spor
ts C
oord
inat
or-
Sust
aina
bilit
y
Cons
ulta
nt-
Volu
ntee
r Coo
rdin
ator
- W
ilder
ness
Ran
ger
Bach
elor
’s or
Ass
ocia
te’s
Deg
ree
in re
late
d fie
ldH
igh
Scho
ol
Dip
lom
a
Entr
y Le
vel
The
Fiel
d of
Wha
t is
an O
utdo
or A
dven
ture
Pro
fess
iona
l?A
n ou
tdoo
r ad
vent
ure
prof
essi
onal
has
fol
low
ed a
pa
ssio
n fo
r at
lea
st o
ne o
utdo
or a
dven
ture
act
ivity
, an
d de
velo
ped
skill
in t
hat
spor
t or
act
ivity
. O
utdo
or
Adve
ntur
e pr
ofes
sion
als
may
w
ork
loca
l ou
fitte
rs,
Out
war
d Bo
und-
type
pro
gram
s, sp
orts
cen
ters
, res
orts
, an
d ca
mps
. O
utdo
or a
dven
ture
pro
fess
iona
ls m
ust
wor
k w
ell w
ith o
ther
s and
als
o ex
hibi
t lea
ders
hip,
a ze
st
for t
he o
utdo
ors,
crea
tivity
and
goo
d de
cisi
on-m
akin
g.
Wha
t is
the
Fiel
d of
Out
door
Adv
entu
re?
Out
door
Adv
entu
re f
ocus
es o
n th
e hu
man
us
e of
nat
ural
res
ourc
es f
or e
njoy
men
t, ris
k,
chal
leng
e, a
nd w
ell-b
eing
. Th
e fie
ld c
ombi
nes
know
ledg
e of
the
env
ironm
ent
with
ski
lls i
n at
lea
st o
ne a
dven
ture
spo
rt o
r ac
tivity
plu
s ne
cess
ary
busi
ness
kno
wle
dge.
- Be
nd, R
edm
ond,
Sis
ters
, La
Pine
and
Cro
ok
Co
unty
Par
k an
d Re
crea
tion
Dis
tric
ts-
Raft
ing
and
Padd
ling
com
pani
es (O
uzel
Out
fitte
rs, R
iver
ston
e Ad
vent
ures
, Sun
Co
untr
y To
urs,
Tum
alo
Cree
k Ka
yak
& C
anoe
)
- Sk
i Res
orts
(Mt.
Bach
elor
and
H
oodo
o)-
Clim
bing
com
pani
es (B
end
Rock
Gym
and
Cho
ckst
one)
-
Cam
p Ta
mar
ack,
Cam
pfire
How
Can
I G
et E
xper
ienc
e in
the
Out
door
Adv
entu
re C
omm
unity
? -
Yout
h Pr
ogra
ms
& E
mpl
oym
ent:
Cam
p Co
unse
lor a
nd C
ouns
elor
s in
Tr
aini
ng p
rogr
ams
at C
amp
Tam
arac
k, C
amp
Cald
era,
Cam
pFire
cam
ps;
Part
icip
ate
in O
utdo
or A
dven
ture
Pro
gram
s to
gai
n sk
ills
(bac
kpac
king
, cl
imbi
ng, k
ayak
ing,
raft
ing,
ski
ing,
bik
ing)
- Vo
lunt
eer:
ask
an O
utdo
or p
rogr
am if
you
can
vol
unte
er/a
ppre
ntic
e
Wha
t are
ex
ampl
es o
f ca
reer
s in
Out
door
A
dven
ture
Man
agem
ent
Tech
nici
an
Prov
ide
tech
nica
l wor
k in
sup
port
of a
nd
supe
rvis
ed b
y st
aff
- O
pera
tions
Sup
port
St
aff-
Cust
omer
Rel
atio
ns
A
ppre
ntic
e-
Cam
p Su
ppor
t Cre
w-
Bike
, Ski
Equ
ipm
ent
Tech
- M
enu
Plan
ner/
Ki
tche
n M
anag
er-
Ski L
ift O
pera
tor
Man
age
or a
dmin
iste
r pr
ogra
ms
and
supe
rvis
e st
aff
- Pr
ogra
ms
Man
ager
- Sa
les
Man
ager
- O
pera
tions
Man
ager
- Le
ad In
stru
ctor
&
D
irect
or o
f Ins
truc
tion
- O
ffice
Man
ager
Educ
atio
n an
d Tr
aini
ng N
eede
dA
ssoc
iate
’s or
Bac
helo
r’s
Deg
ree
in re
late
d fie
ld
and/
or s
ome
expe
rienc
e
Bach
elor
’s in
a re
late
d fie
ld,
expe
rienc
e in
adm
inist
ratio
n /
man
agem
ent,
Mas
ter’s
Deg
ree
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- Ca
mp
Coun
selo
r-
Day
Cam
p
Lead
er-
Inte
rnsh
ips
- O
utdo
or
Adve
ntur
e
App
rent
ice
- O
pera
tions
Supp
ort C
rew
Prof
essi
onal
Prov
ide
key
deci
sion
-mak
ing
on th
e de
sign
and
im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
and
prog
ram
s
- O
pera
tions
Sup
port
Sta
ff-
Cust
omer
Rel
atio
ns
A
ppre
ntic
e-
Cam
p Su
ppor
t Cre
w-
Bike
, Ski
Equ
ipm
ent T
ech
- M
enu
Plan
ner/
Kitc
hen
M
anag
er-
Ski L
ift O
pera
tor
- Cu
stom
er R
elat
ions
A
ssoc
iate
- Re
tail/
Sale
s A
ssoc
iate
- Pr
ogra
m L
ogis
tics
Co
ordi
nato
r-
Biki
ng G
uide
- Fi
shin
g G
uide
Bach
elor
’s D
egre
e in
rela
ted
field
and
/or e
xper
ienc
e
Entr
y Le
vel
OU
TDO
OR
AD
VEN
TURE
Who
Em
ploy
s O
utdo
or A
dven
ture
Pro
fess
iona
ls?
The
Fiel
d of
Wha
t is a
Lan
d M
anag
emen
t Pro
fess
iona
l?Th
e la
nd m
anag
emen
t fiel
d co
mbi
nes
a ra
nge
of in
form
atio
n ab
out t
he p
hysi
cal e
nviro
nmen
t w
ith b
iolo
gica
l fac
tors
suc
h as
wild
life
habi
tat,
and
hum
an fa
ctor
s su
ch a
s re
crea
tion,
live
stoc
k gr
azin
g, m
iner
al d
evel
opm
ent,
ener
gy
prod
uctio
n, th
e pr
eser
vatio
n of
his
toric
al o
r cu
ltura
l res
ourc
es a
nd p
olic
y to
det
erm
ine
how
pu
blic
land
s ca
n be
man
aged
for m
ultip
le u
ses
and
bene
fits.
LAN
D M
AN
AG
EMEN
TW
hat i
s the
Fie
ld o
f Lan
d M
anag
emen
t?A
land
man
agem
ent p
rofe
ssio
nal w
orks
with
oth
er
natu
ral r
esou
rce
prof
essio
nals
and
the
publ
ic to
de
term
ine
wha
t a p
artic
ular
are
a of
land
shou
ld b
e us
ed fo
r. B
ecau
se la
nd is
man
aged
for a
var
iety
of
uses
, land
man
ager
s hav
e kn
owle
dge
of m
any
rela
ted
field
s, as
wel
l as c
ritic
al th
inki
ng, p
robl
em so
lvin
g, a
nd
com
mun
icat
ion
skill
s. T
he fi
eld
of la
nd m
anag
emen
t en
com
pass
es th
e ph
ysic
al, b
iolo
gica
l, and
hum
an
envi
ronm
ents
, and
a v
arie
ty o
f car
eers
are
ava
ilabl
e.
Who
Em
ploy
s La
nd M
anag
emen
t Pro
fess
iona
ls?
- U
.S F
ores
t Ser
vice
-
Ore
gon
Stat
e Pa
rks
- N
atio
nal P
ark
Ser
vi
ce
- Be
nd P
ark
and
Recr
eatio
n D
istr
ict
- Tr
ust f
or P
ublic
Lan
d -
Redm
ond
Are
a Pa
rk a
nd R
ecre
atio
n D
istr
ict
- D
esch
utes
Lan
d Tr
ust
- O
SU C
asca
des
- Th
e En
viro
nmen
tal C
ente
r
How
Can
I G
et E
xper
ienc
e in
the
Land
Man
agem
ent F
ield
?-
Yout
h Pr
ogra
ms
and
Empl
oym
ent:
You
th C
onse
rvat
ion
Corp
s (Y
CC),
Hea
rt o
f Ore
gon
Corp
s (H
OC)
, 4H
OSU
Ext
ensi
on-
Volu
ntee
r: Su
nriv
er N
atur
e Ce
nter
, The
Env
ironm
enta
l Cen
ter
Wha
t are
ex
ampl
es o
f ca
reer
s in
Lan
d M
anag
emen
t?
Man
agem
ent
Tech
nici
an
Prov
ide
tech
nica
l wor
k in
sup
port
of a
nd
supe
rvis
ed b
y st
aff
- G
IS Te
chni
cian
- Ra
nge
Tech
nici
an-
Soil
Cons
erva
tion
Tech
nici
an-
Surv
ey A
ide
Man
age
or a
dmin
iste
r pr
ogra
ms
and
supe
rvis
e st
aff
- O
pen
Spac
e D
irect
or-
Park
Man
ager
- Pr
ofes
sor
- Pu
blic
Lan
ds D
irect
or-
Rang
elan
d M
anag
er-
Refu
ge M
anag
er-
Reso
urce
Man
ager
Educ
atio
n an
d Tr
aini
ng N
eede
dA
ssoc
iate
’s or
Bac
helo
r’s
Deg
ree
in re
late
d fie
ldM
aste
r’s o
r PhD
in re
late
d fie
ld a
nd e
xper
ienc
e
Entr
y le
vel i
s su
perv
ised
- In
tern
ship
s
Prof
essi
onal
Prov
ide
key
deci
sion
-mak
ing
on th
e de
sign
and
im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
and
prog
ram
s
- A
rcha
eolo
gist
-
Cart
ogra
pher
(map
s)
- Ec
onom
ist
- Re
alty
Spe
cial
ist
- En
viro
nmen
tal L
awye
r -
Envi
ronm
enta
l Pla
nner
-
Envi
ronm
enta
l Pol
icy
-
Rest
orat
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You Don’t Have to Work In the Outdoors to Work For the OutdoorsYou may have a passion for our natural world, but prefer an office job or have skills that are computer-based. That’s perfectly okay! Federal agencies, like the U.S. Forest Service, could not accomplish their work of managing natural resources without the thousands of employees who work indoors. There are lots of opportunities for you to contribute to the field of natural resources. Here are some examples of real jobs in natural resource agencies and organizations:
• Accounting & Budget• Administrative Officer• Administrative Assistant• Clerk• Communications Director (Public Information Officer)• Community Engagement Specialist• Contract Specialist• Facilities Manager• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)• Grants Management Specialist• Human Resources Specialist• Visitor Services• Management • Program Manager• Public Relations Specialist• Realty Specialist• Support Services Specialist• Technical Information Specialist• Technical Writer• Visitor Services
Getting Your Foot in the DoorJob skills and experience matter. Fortunately, a variety of opportunities exist to prepare you for a career in the field of natural resources. Some types of these opportunities are unpaid, while others provide some sort of compensation. These positions vary by the level of time commitment required, as well as the skill and education level required. Generally speaking, these positions correspond with your level of experience in the field.
A volunteer or internship experience is a great place to start, followed by a seasonal position to build relevant skills and experience. While landing your first permanent position in the field of natural resources may be your final goal, you will have numerous opportunities to gain additional knowledge and skills throughout your career should you wish to take advantage of them. This will allow you to continue to grow and progress along your career path.
Examples of career-development opportunities:Volunteer: These positions are typically unpaid. You may volunteer for an organization that needs help answering phones or providing a public service. While there are opportunities to develop skills, these positions are designed to support the organization or effort.
Job Shadowing: This is also an unpaid opportunity. Some organizations allow individuals (including youth and young adults) follow a professional on a short-term basis. A job shadow experience could last a few hours or several weeks and is a great way to see first-hand what the job entails.
Internships and AmeriCorps Service: AmeriCorps Service and internships generally require more of a time commitment that volunteer opportunities, but they also provide greater opportunity for job skill development and professional growth through mentorship and training. Internships can be paid or unpaid, while AmeriCorps service members are reimbursed a living stipend. Some AmeriCorps opportunities also provide college credit and/or scholarships.
Seasonal and/or Temporary Employment: If you’re interested in working for the federal government, maybe the best way to get your foot in the door is through seasonal employment. Seasonal positions are jobs that are only needed during certain months of the year. Typically, these opportunities take place during the agency’s “field season”. In the Pacific Northwest, the field season typically lasts from May through August, but is sometime extended. These positions are often advertised in late summer/early fall of the previous year – so you’ll need to plan ahead!
Natural Resoures Career Exploration Programs and Opportunities
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Camp Tamarack (Outdoor School) X X X XChildren's Forest of Central Oregon X X X X XDiscover Your Forest X X X X XHigh Desert Museum X X X XMiddle Deschutes Watershed Council X X XSunriver Nature Center X X X XThe Environmental Center X X X XTrout Unlimited X X X XU.S. Forest Service X X X X XUpper Deschutes Watershed Council X X X X4-H X X X X XBoy Scouts/Girl Scouts X X X X XBoys and Girls Club/Kids Club X X X X XCaldera X X X X XCamp Fire Central Oregon X X X XCamp Tamarack X X X X XHigh Desert Museum X XPark and Recreation Disctricts X X X X XSchool Clubs X X X X X XCrook County High School X XJefferson County Middle School X XLa Pine High School X XMadras High School X X
Agricultural Science Program Redmond High School X XInterdisciplinary Environmental Expedition Course Sisters High School X X
Camp Tamarack (Student Leader) X X X XDiscover Your Forest X X X X XHigh Desert Museum X X XCrook County HS (Outdoor School Leader) X XSunriver Nature Center X X XBureau of Land Management X XChildren's Forest of Central Oregon X X X X XDiscover Your Forest X X X XU.S. Forest Service X X X X
Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps
Heart of Oregon Corps/Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council X X X X
AmeriCorps/Stewardship Crews Heart of Oregon Corps X X X X
Natural Resource Career and Technical Education Programs
Outdoor/Natural Resources Field Trips
Volunteer Opportunities
After-school and Summer Programs
Internships
Looking for a Federal Job? Tips for Success1. Tailor your Search, Resume, and Application to the Federal Process: Applying for federal jobs may seem overwhelming. As we teach in the USAjobs workshop, it is important that you tailor your resume and search to the federal process. We recommend attending a workshop before you apply for a federal job, but if you are unable to do so, USA jobs has resources available.
• https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/• Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/usajob-
sapp
2. Experience matters! Federal service is competitive. If you have less than one year of experience in the field where you plan to work, look into paid and unpaid opportuni-ties such as Internships (Pathways, Resource Assistance Program, & others), Service (AmeriCorps & YCC), Season-al work.
• Pathways: This is a federal government internship program. Opportunities are listed in USAjobs. Most po-sitions require some college. Information can be found at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-gov-ernment/unique-hiring-paths/students/
• Resource Assistance Program: This is a Forest Service internship program that is administered by RA desig-nated non-profit partners. Information can be found at: https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/volunteers/resource-assistants-program
• AmeriCorps: This is a national program with local opportunities. Information can be found at: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps
• Youth Conservation Corps (YCC): This is a national program for young adults age 15-18. Information about this program can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/ycc.htm
3. Be realistic. You will evolve and grow throughout your career. As important as it is to know where you are going – you must also understand where you are today. Most of you are at the beginning of your career, so you will start at a GS-03, GS-04, or GS-05. Before you apply, research your desired position. What is the starting salary (both in the private sector and federal sector) and what is the mid and late career average salary. Will this work for you? What education might it take to move to the next level?
4. Be flexible. Most federal employees don’t start their careers in their ideal job. Examples of more typical first jobs in the Forest Service are include maintaining facilities, working the front desk, and marking trees. If you can, try to see the potential in your first job rather than the pay and glory.
5. Opportunities for Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities: The federal government hires the greatest percentage of veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you fall into either of these categories, look into the spe-cial hiring authorities and seek out advice. A good place to start is:
• Veterans: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/work-ing-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/
• Individuals with Disabilities: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/
Pacific Northwest Colleges with Degrees Related to Natural Resources
OregonCentral Oregon Community College Forest Resources Technology AAS
Forestry ASNatural Resources ASWildland Fire/Fuels AAS
Mt. Hood Community College Fisheries Technology AASNatural Resources Technology: Forest Resources AASNatural Resources Technology: Wildlife Resources AAS
Oregon State University (Corvallis) Fisheries and Wildlife Administration PSMFisheries and Wildlife Sciences BSFisheries Science MAg, MS, PhDForest Ecosystems and Society MF, MS, PhDForestry BSForest Engineering BSForest Engineering/Civil Engineering BSNatural Resources BSRangeland Sciences BSRangeland Ecology and Management MAg, MS, PhDRecreation Resource Management BSSoil Science MAG, MS, PhDSustainable Forest Management MF, MS, PhDWildlife Science MAg, MS, PhDWood Science and Engineering MS, PhD
Oregon State University, Cacades Natural Resources BSTourism and Outdoor Leadership BS
Rogue Community College Environmental Sciences/Forestry Interest AAOTSouthwest Oregon Community College
Forestry ASNatural Resources AS
Tillamook Bay Community College Agriculture and Natural Resources AASTreasure Valley Community College Natural Resources AS
Wildland Fire Management AASWildlife Resources AS
CaliforniaCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Forestry and Natural Resources BS
Humboldt State University Fisheries Biology BSForestry BSNatural Resources BS
Pacific Northwest Colleges with Degrees Related to Natural Resources (cont’d)
University of California, Berkeley Environmental Science, Policy, and Management PhDForestry BS, MFRange Management MS
IdahoUniversity of Idaho Conservation Biology BS
Ecology BSFire Ecology and Management BSFisheries Resources BSForestry BSNatural Resources PhDNatural Resources Conservation BSRangeland Conservation BSRenewable Materials BS
NevadaUniversity of Nevada, Reno Forest Management and Ecology BS
Natural Resource and Environmental Science MSRangeland Ecology and Management BSWildlife Ecology and Conservation BS
WashingtonWashington State University Environmental and Forest Sciences PhD
Forestry BSNatural Resource Science MSWildlife Ecology and Conservation Sciences BS
University of Washington Aquatic Fisheries Sciences BSEnvironmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management
BS
Environmental and Forest Sciences MFR, MS, PhD
AS - Associate of ScienceAAS - Associate of Applied ScienceBS - Bachelor of ScienceMS - Master of ScienceMF - Master of ForestryPhD - Doctorate Degree