Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Timber Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Timber Supervisor is a pivotal field leadership role, acting as the on-the-ground expert and manager for all timber harvesting, loading, and transportation activities. This individual is the backbone of our forestry operations, responsible for transforming strategic harvesting plans into safe, efficient, and sustainable reality. You'll be directing crews, operating in challenging environments, and making critical decisions that impact productivity, profitability, and our environmental stewardship. This isn't just about cutting trees; it's about leading people, managing valuable assets, and ensuring every action aligns with stringent safety and environmental standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Forestry Technician
Lead Sawyer / Faller
Experienced Heavy Equipment Operator (Forestry)
Procurement Forester

Advancement To:

Harvesting Manager
Operations Manager (Forestry/Woodlands)
Area or Regional Manager
Wood Procurement Manager

Lateral Moves:

Silviculture Supervisor
Safety Manager (Forestry Operations)
Logistics and Hauling Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide direct, on-the-ground supervision and leadership to logging and harvesting crews, ensuring daily production targets are met efficiently and in accordance with the harvest plan.
Champion and enforce a robust safety culture, conducting regular safety meetings, job site inspections, and incident investigations to maintain a zero-harm work environment.
Meticulously plan and coordinate daily logging activities, including felling, processing, yarding, and loading, to optimize workflow and minimize downtime.
Ensure all operations are conducted in strict compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations, forestry laws, and Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Manage the logistics of timber transportation, coordinating with truck drivers and mills to ensure a steady and efficient flow of wood products from the harvest site.
Oversee the maintenance and field-level repair of all logging machinery and heavy equipment, such as feller bunchers, skidders, delimbers, and loaders, to maximize uptime.
Accurately track and report on key production metrics, including timber volume, species sort, crew productivity, and operational costs.
Interpret and execute detailed harvest plans, reading maps, and utilizing GPS/GIS technology to lay out cutting boundaries, skid trails, and stream management zones.
Maintain positive and professional relationships with landowners, consulting foresters, and government agency representatives during on-site operations.
Monitor timber quality throughout the harvesting process to ensure it meets mill specifications and value is maximized.
Conduct pre-harvest site assessments to identify potential operational challenges, safety hazards, and environmental sensitivities.
Train, mentor, and develop crew members on new techniques, equipment operation, and safety protocols to build a highly skilled and motivated team.
Manage on-site inventory of logs, ensuring proper sorting, scaling, and decking to prepare for transport.
Respond to and resolve operational issues, equipment breakdowns, and unforeseen site conditions in a timely and effective manner.
Administer the work schedule for harvesting crews, managing hours, approving timecards, and coordinating leave.
Secure harvesting sites from unauthorized access and manage public interactions professionally.
Play a key role in the bid and contract process by providing accurate estimates of production costs and timelines for potential tracts.
Ensure proper road construction and maintenance on logging sites to provide safe and reliable access for equipment and trucks.
Implement and monitor erosion control measures to protect soil and water quality during and after harvesting operations.
Act as the primary point of contact on the job site for all stakeholders, communicating progress and addressing concerns clearly and effectively.
Manage the supply of fuel, lubricants, and other necessary operational materials at the remote job site.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the development of annual operating budgets and long-term capital expenditure plans for equipment.
Contribute insights and field data to the forestry planning team to improve future harvest designs and yield projections.
Collaborate with procurement foresters and mill personnel to stay informed about changing market demands and wood specifications.
Participate in industry meetings and training sessions to stay current on new technologies, regulations, and best practices in timber harvesting.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Timber Cruising and Scaling: Proficient in estimating timber volume and quality both in standing trees and in logs.
Harvest Plan Interpretation: Ability to read and implement complex harvest plans, topographical maps, and digital data.
GPS/GIS Technology: Competency in using GPS units for field navigation and GIS software for mapping and data analysis.
Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs): Deep knowledge and practical application of environmental protection guidelines for logging.
Heavy Equipment Knowledge: Strong understanding of the operation, capabilities, and basic maintenance of modern logging equipment.
Log Grading and Sorting: Expertise in identifying wood species and grading logs to meet specific mill and market requirements.
Regulatory Compliance: Familiarity with OSHA safety standards, state forestry laws, and environmental regulations (e.g., Clean Water Act).
Basic Surveying and Layout: Skills in establishing property lines, cutting boundaries, and road/skid trail locations.

Soft Skills

Leadership and Crew Management: Proven ability to motivate, direct, and manage a diverse team in a physically demanding environment.
Decisive Problem-Solving: The capacity to make quick, sound decisions under pressure to resolve operational and safety challenges.
-Safety-First Mindset: An unwavering commitment to safety protocols and the well-being of the crew.
Strong Communication: Excellent verbal communication skills for clearly conveying instructions to crews and liaising with managers, landowners, and truckers.
Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to thrive in outdoor, all-weather conditions and adapt to changing plans and priorities.
Conflict Resolution: Skill in de-escalating disagreements and finding constructive solutions to personnel or operational disputes.
Time Management and Organization: Superior ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple activities simultaneously, and keep operations on schedule.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Forestry / Forest Management
Natural Resource Management
Wood Science / Forest Products

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of progressive experience in hands-on timber harvesting, logging, or forestry operations.

Preferred: We're ideally looking for someone with at least 2 years of that experience in a supervisory, foreman, or lead role where you were responsible for directing the work of others.