Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Foresters
Foresters manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
What they do
Foresters manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
- Procure timber from private landowners.
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Plan and supervise forestry projects, such as determining the type, number, and placement of trees to be planted, managing tree nurseries, thinning forests, and monitoring the growth of new seedlings.
- Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management, and leasing of forest lands.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Foresters procure timber from private landowners. They supervise the activities of other forestry workers.
A typical day for a Forester will also include:
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Provide advice and recommendations, as a consultant on forestry issues, to private woodlot owners, firefighters, government agencies or companies.
- Contact local forest owners and gain permission to take inventory of the type, amount, and location of all standing timber on the property.
- Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
- Plan and direct forest surveys and related studies and prepare reports and recommendations.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Foresters also negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management, and leasing of forest lands. They may also plan and direct forest surveys and related studies and prepare reports and recommendations.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Foresters determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage. They might also plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
In addition, they plan and supervise forestry projects, such as determining the type, number, and placement of trees to be planted, managing tree nurseries, thinning forests, and monitoring the growth of new seedlings.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
To some Foresters, it is also their responsibility to plan and direct construction and maintenance of recreation facilities, fire towers, trails, roads and bridges, ensuring that they comply with guidelines and regulations set for forested public lands.
Freedom to make decisions
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Structured vs unstructured work
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
85% said they were satisfied with their job and 81% said they found their job meaningful.
It’s one of the most difficult and most rewarding jobs out there. Whether it’s surveying land, planting trees, or collecting biometrics data on ecosystems, you get to work in some of the most rugged, beautiful terrain in the world. You’ll be in good shape from hiking and scrambling over and through the woods, there is an opportunity to learn and use cool tech, including GPS/GIS units and you get paid decently well, and sleep like a log at night. Plus, you’re directly helping to quantify and reduce the effects of climate change.
11/10, highly recommend for any young adult looking for work that feels (and is) good (for the planet).
Alex Wick
MSc. Forestry
Cascadia Carbon
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Good salary (earns more than 50% of the careers out there).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Foresters with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $42,500 to $51,890 per year or $20 to $25 per hour.
| Salary range | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $45 | $93,060 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $37 | $77,010 |
| Middle (Mid 50%) | $31 | $63,980 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $25 | $51,890 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $20 | $42,500 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
Work with group or team
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Deal with external customers
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Manage or lead others
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Frequency of conflict situations
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Dealing with angry people
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Dealing with physically aggressive people
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Level of competition
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Repetition in this job
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Impact of decisions on co-workers or company results
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Frequency of decision making
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Responsibility for others’ health and safety
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Responsibility for outcomes and results
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
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Relevant work experience
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On The Job Training
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Should you become one
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
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