Forestry Worker
A forestry worker plays a vital role in the management and conservation of forested and woodland areas. Their responsibilities include planting seedlings, removing diseased trees, and managing the health of trees through measures like controlling pests and weeds. This physically demanding job often requires outdoor work in various weather conditions, and workers must be prepared for potentially hazardous environments, including navigating dense foliage and operating heavy machinery.
Individuals drawn to this career typically enjoy physical labor and possess practical skills, making them well-suited to engage in a variety of tasks, from reforestation to maintenance of recreational facilities within parks. While a high school diploma is generally the minimum educational requirement, on-the-job training is crucial for skill development. Career advancement opportunities may arise for those who pursue additional education in forestry or related fields. Overall, forestry work is essential not only for timber and resource management but also for environmental conservation and wildlife protection.
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Subject Terms
Forestry Worker
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Interests: Environment, working outdoors, physical labor
Earnings (Yearly Median): $33,940 per year $16.32 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -9% (Decline)
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Forestry workers help maintain, grow, and protect forest and woodland areas. They plant seedlings and remove diseased trees, as well as tally, mark, and examine trees. Some maintain national and state park facilities or work at tree farms where they keep plants healthy by controlling growth, weeds, and insect, animal, or invasive plant infestation. Forestry workers may also be responsible for some equipment maintenance and repairs.
Work Environment. Forestry workers are outdoors most of the time in all types of weather. The work is physically demanding and sometimes dangerous. It can require walking long distances or being in isolated areas.
Occupation Interest. Individuals attracted to forestry work are comfortable spending long hours outdoors and enjoy physical labor. They tend to be practical and decisive individuals who become adept at a range of skills, from helping to harvest trees for raw materials to planting seedlings for conservation as part of a reforestation crew. The variety of daily tasks can be one of the most satisfying parts of forestry work. In addition, forestry workers must be familiar with the wildlife in their environment. They should show good judgment and be motivated to learn about sustainable forestry practices.
It is useful for self-employed forestry workers to have business and managerial skills.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Forestry workers help manage forests. The typical daily tasks of a forestry worker include removing fallen trees and branches that may have come down as a result of a storm or other disturbance or cutting trees to clear forest roads and facilities. Forestry workers plant seedlings for new growth, control soil erosion, and use power and hand saws to remove dead or diseased trees. They are also responsible for protecting environments from invasive species of insects, animals, or plants; the latter may require the application of herbicides.
Some forestry workers are employed by state and federal government agencies and help maintain campsites, forest trails, roads, campsite restrooms, and kitchen facilities in recreational areas. Those who work for private businesses sometimes help with controlled burning, which helps prevent the spread of wildfires. Forestry workers also set boundary lines and measure, mark, and count trees.
Tree farms also hire forestry workers to cultivate and harvest specialty plants, such as ornamental or Christmas trees. At tree farms, foresters are responsible for shaping Christmas trees, promoting foliage growth in some areas, and pruning in others. They also spend time controlling the growth of weeds and undergrowth.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Forestry workers work outdoors in all kinds of weather. They must be in good health and able to handle heavy lifting. Forestry work may be seasonal, and weather conditions vary. Forestry workers may have to trek through dense foliage and deal with falling trees and branches, insects, wildlife, harmful plants, and high noise levels from saws and machinery. Forestry workers must follow proper safety measures by wearing personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety eyeglasses, proper clothing, boots, and ear protection.
Human Environment. A forestry worker’s human environment varies. Sometimes, forestry workers work in teams, where communication, good judgment, and teamwork are essential. In isolated areas or when working alone, the ability to work independently is required.
Technological Environment. Forestry workers work with hand tools and machinery used for reforestation and timber cutting. Pesticides and controlled burns are also methods used to manage forests. All of these tools and techniques present potential hazards and require training. When working in large areas, forestry workers may use global positioning systems (GPS) to better understand their work environment and even to track harvested timber.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school diploma is usually required to become a forestry worker. Expertise comes with on-the-job training, which generally takes place in the field. Students can become apprentices in a variety of training programs, do volunteer work through forest conservation groups, do seasonal or part-time work in state parks or national forests, and find opportunities through state- or nationally-funded programs—for example, the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC).
Postsecondary. Students with a high school diploma can study in two-year vocational schools for associate’s degrees in courses such as forest management, forest harvesting, and conservation. Opportunities to participate in extracurricular experiences that offer forestry and logging activities may be available through educational institutions or state agencies.
Forestry workers who wish to advance their careers and become foresters should combine on-the-job experience with a bachelor’s degree in forestry or a similar field.
Related Occupations
− Forester and Conservation Scientist
Bibliography
"Forest and Conservation Workers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/forest-and-conservation-workers.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Forestry and Logging Workers." AgriSafe Network, 2024, www.agrisafe.org/healthcare/forestry-and-logging-workers/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 45-4011 Forest and Conservation Workers." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes454011.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.