Forester

Bachelor's Degree in Forestry or related field and a GIS Certificate.

Helpful courses to take in high school: Focus on biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and calculus classes. Join an agriculture-focused club, such as 4-H or FFA (Future Farmers of America), to gain insightful information about related industries.

- In the field, a forester will use various measurement tools, including diameter tape, a clinometer and a hypsometer.

- Software and mapping tools may include AVENZA, Excel, ArcGIS and GIS maps.

- Safety gear may include high vis vests, steel-toed or cork-soled shoes, and raingear. Hard hats will be needed at times.

- It is beneficial to have an understanding of the operation of heavy equipment such as feller bunchers (heavy machinery used to cut down trees during harvest), stump grinders, delimbers and log loaders. Some of this equipment may be used by a forester who wears multiple hats in a smaller company, or the forester of a larger company will likely be responsible to hire contractors who work with these machines.

Knowledge of tree species and the forest lifecycle, competing vegetation species and how to use geographical information systems (GIS) are all important skills.

Management skills, including planning, organizing and making decisions while on the job. At times, the forester might oversee a group of workers to ensure the assigned project is completed.

Good communication and people skills are needed to build positive relationships with other foresters, contractors, landowners, local government officials and the public.

Plant and animal identification skills are needed while working in the field.

Must be able to work outside for extended periods of time in all seasons of weather.

Each season provides the forester with new and different tasks. For example, in the winter, foresters may work to plant baby trees and ensure seedlings are properly spaced. In the spring, they work with various employees to manage weed and grass overgrowth, supporting the growing trees. In the summer and fall, data is collected about the growing forest and logging efforts take place. No matter the season, and no matter the weather, the forester spends at least 80 percent of his or her time out in the working forest.

Foresters are also on the frontlines when it comes to protecting the environment. It is their job to identify and protect endangered species habitats; enforce guidelines to protect water and soil integrity; and oversee the careful management of chemical applications and harvests to ensure ecosystems are protected.

There are many job titles and classifications for forester positions. Below are four common classifications. Each range in years of forestry and supervisory experience. All levels of foresters are responsible for land management and forestry operations within the companies’ managed working forests.

Forester (Entry Level) - Typically has up to 3 years of experience working in any forestry department. This includes, but is not limited to, wood procurement, silviculture, timber cruising, tree improvement, etc. (See also: forest technician.)

Forester I - Typically has 3-5 years of combined forestry and supervisory experience.

Forester II - Typically has 5-10 years of combined forestry and supervisory experience.

Forester III - Typically has 10 or more years of combined forestry and supervisory experience.