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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Forestry Officer

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

Agriculture, Forestry & FishingEnvironmental ScienceGovernment & Public Sector

🎯 Role Definition

As a Forestry Officer, you are a crucial steward of our public and private forest lands. This is a dynamic, field-oriented role that blends scientific principles with hands-on application. You will be responsible for the planning, development, and execution of comprehensive forest management strategies that balance ecological health, economic productivity, and public use. From timber harvesting and reforestation to wildfire management and wildlife habitat enhancement, you will ensure the long-term sustainability and vitality of our invaluable forest ecosystems for generations to come.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Forestry Technician
  • Recent Graduate (Forestry or Natural Resources)
  • Wildland Firefighter

Advancement To:

  • Senior or Lead Forester
  • Forest Manager / Area Manager
  • District / Regional Forester

Lateral Moves:

  • Environmental Scientist
  • Land Manager
  • GIS Analyst (Natural Resources)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and monitor long-range, comprehensive forest management plans to achieve specific objectives related to timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed protection.
  • Conduct detailed forest inventories, timber cruising, and stand examinations to assess forest resource conditions, quantify volume, determine growth rates, and monitor forest health.
  • Administer all phases of timber sale contracts, including pre-harvest layout, boundary marking, volume estimation, bid preparation, and ongoing supervision of harvesting operations to ensure contract compliance.
  • Plan and oversee silvicultural treatments such as site preparation, tree planting, pre-commercial and commercial thinning, and vegetation control to promote desired forest composition and structure.
  • Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS, and remote sensing technologies for sophisticated mapping, spatial analysis, data management, and operational planning.
  • Coordinate and execute prescribed burning programs to reduce hazardous fuels, restore fire-adapted ecosystems, and improve forest health, including writing burn plans and leading fire crews.
  • Enforce federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to forest practices, environmental protection, water quality, and land use.
  • Prepare comprehensive technical reports, environmental assessments, biological evaluations, and permit applications required for forestry projects and regulatory compliance.
  • Manage forest health programs by surveying for, identifying, and responding to insect infestations, disease outbreaks, and invasive species threats.
  • Develop and manage project budgets, including cost estimation for silvicultural activities, procurement of services, and administration of contracts.
  • Plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of forest road systems and trails to provide necessary access for management activities and public recreation.
  • Serve as a key resource in wildfire prevention, mitigation, and suppression efforts, often integrating with interagency incident command systems during fire events.
  • Assess and implement wildlife habitat improvement projects, such as creating snags, developing food plots, and managing riparian zones to enhance biodiversity.
  • Engage with private landowners, industry partners, tribal governments, and the general public to provide technical assistance, education, and guidance on sustainable forestry.
  • Ensure all field operations adhere to strict safety protocols and occupational health standards (e.g., OSHA) to foster a safe working environment for all staff and contractors.
  • Supervise, train, and mentor junior foresters, technicians, and seasonal field crews in a wide range of forestry techniques and data collection procedures.
  • Conduct forest certification audits and maintain records to ensure management practices comply with standards like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
  • Evaluate the economic feasibility of various forest management alternatives and conduct financial analyses for timber sales and other forest product initiatives.
  • Respond to public inquiries and resolve conflicts related to forest management activities, resource use, and land access.
  • Manage forest nursery operations, including seed collection, propagation, and seedling distribution to support large-scale reforestation and restoration efforts.
  • Collaborate with research scientists and academic institutions to integrate cutting-edge research findings into operational forest management practices.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the development and delivery of public outreach presentations and environmental education programs for schools and community groups.
  • Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot a variety of specialized forestry equipment, including GPS units, increment borers, clinometers, and data loggers.
  • Contribute to grant writing and funding proposals to secure financial support for conservation, restoration, and research projects.
  • Participate in inter-agency committees and collaborative workshops to address landscape-scale conservation challenges and opportunities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Forest Management Planning & Silviculture
  • Timber Cruising, Forest Mensuration & Inventory
  • GIS and GPS Applications (ArcGIS, QGIS)
  • Timber Sale Administration & Contract Management
  • Wildfire Management & Prescribed Burning
  • Forest Health Assessment (Entomology & Pathology)
  • Environmental & Forestry Law Compliance
  • Forest Engineering & Road Layout
  • Chainsaw Operation & Safety Certification (e.g., S-212)
  • Data Analysis & Technical Report Writing
  • Budgeting and Project Management

Soft Skills

  • Strong Written and Verbal Communication
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Public Relations
  • Independent Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
  • Leadership & Team Supervision
  • Adaptability & Resilience in Field Conditions
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from a program accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), or a closely related degree in natural resource management with a forestry emphasis.

Preferred Education:

A Master's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Silviculture, or a related natural resource discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Forestry
  • Forest Management
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Environmental Science
  • Silviculture

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of progressive, professional experience in operational forestry, land management, or a related natural resources field. Field-based experience is highly valued.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience in a supervisory or lead worker capacity.
  • Demonstrated experience administering timber sales from start to finish.
  • Advanced proficiency in GIS for complex spatial analysis and modeling.
  • State-specific forester registration or licensing, where applicable.
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