Forestry Technician

In addition to pursuing an Associate’s Degree at Feather River College, students can pursue certificates, which can be attained instead of or along with the major. These certificates are designed with seasonal employment in mind. The biological science, forestry, and hydrologic  technician certificates were designed to ensure completers have the coursework required to be eligible for employment at the GS-4 level within the US Forest Service.

The Forestry Technician Certificate, in particular, is designed to provide students with the education and experience to qualify them for a job as a Forestry or Fuels Technician for the US Forest Service. In these and related positions, students will work with foresters, silviculturists,fuels managers, timber-sale preparers, etc.

StudentLearning Outcomes

·        Demonstrate knowledge of plant and forest biology and ecology

·        Demonstrate knowledge about sustainable,multiple-use forest resource management

·        Demonstrate knowledge about forest management in the context of global climate change and with the goal of reducing wildfire risk

·        Achieve preparation for employment as a forestry or fuels technician at the GS-4 level for the USFS and in other related positions  

The Forestry Technician Certificate currently provides students with hands-on and theoretical education about forest ecology and management and the impacts of disturbances, such as fire, insects, or disease. At the completion of this certificate, students meet the requirements to gain employment as a Forestry or Fuels Technician (GS-4) for the US Forest Service, and likewise also meet the requirements to work as a field technician for other local, state, or federal agencies, as well as private forest resource companies, and non-profits. The courses required for this certificate include a traditional, classroom-based educational component, but also emphasize laboratory and field components, which provide students with hands-on experience, in order to expose them to professionals and to help prepare them for jobs in this sector. Students should be able to complete the courses for the program in one year. The program currently exists as a local Certificate of Specialization at Feather River College, but we hope to transition the program to a state-recognized Certificate of Achievement,that will reward students for the work they put in by awarding them a transcribable certificate.  

This certificate can be gained along with or instead of associates degrees at Feather River College. Past students have gained this certificate as stand-alone certificate, along with an associate degree in Environmental Studies, and as they complete course-work necessary to pursue related environmental degrees at four-year programs, even if they do not plan to complete an associate degree at FRC.

All the required courses for this certificate are elective courses for the Environmental Studies A.S. degree, so students can use their original work towards a certificate to continue to work towards a degree, if they so choose. Often students arrive planning to gain only a certificate and decide to continue to pursue the associate degree once they enter the program.