Fire Ecology and Management
Career Guide
Here are just a few of the jobs you can get with this degree.
Wildland fuels specialist
Use your scientific background and firefighting experience to identify potential problems and communicate those findings to managers and other decision makers. With training in all aspects of wildland firefighting, this is often the next step for a firefighter.
Fire and landscape ecologist
Combine natural and social science with your research skills to improve relationships between landscapes and things that impact them. These can include natural factors such as climate change and ecology to human influences such as agriculture or urban development.
Wildland fire extension specialist
Education is a cornerstone of this communication-based career. By working with stakeholders, scientists and agency professionals, you will help each to understand the impacts of fire on the land, and the ways to mitigate the fire potential.
Natural resource policy specialist
Know the policies that impact natural resource decision making. Be a part of the conversation as plans are made to protect and best manage our resources. Often specializing in one policy area, your expertise will help make a difference.
Forest hydrologist
Work with water and water issues in the forest. Your expertise in forest management and biology support this science-based position. You will work in the field measuring water—how much and how safe it is.
Community outreach specialist
Combine your natural resource background with your passion for people in this career that will enable you to teach, present and guide the public to a better understanding of our natural resources and the policies that govern them.
Forestry or range technician
Work in the field, alongside foresters, to protect forests and rangelands. As a technician you may work in the remote wilderness or in a park system, often planting or thinning trees, maintaining campsites, marking trees or enforcing regulations.
Learn Outside
- Become an Idaho Firewise Intern. Work with a University of Idaho professor to increase public awareness about wildland fire management, fire science and home and community fire protection by using social media.
- Study abroad and learn about how fire management is approached in other countries like Australia.
- Learn new skills and network with professionals. Obtain training, certifications and academic credit through the Student Association of Fire Ecology (SAFE).
- Travel to Nebraska with SAFE during Spring Break to do prescribed burns on Nature Conservancy land. Also, work alongside and network with students and professionals from other states and universities.
Course Checksheets
Download course checksheets for the current academic year | Fire Ecology & Management
Your Fire Ecology and Management degree has a number of course electives that will expand your knowledge and may help you meet your goals.
Your degree may also be enhanced with a minor in Fire Ecology and Management or one of our other programs. Many of our classes cross over and help you build minor credits.
For detailed information, please visit the catalog description for this degree and its options.