Forest Technician Jobs

If the level of planning in a forester role doesn’t fit your wishes, a forest technician role may fit your needs. A forest technician will work under the direct supervision of a professional forester, assisting with a wide range of forest management programs activities, such as field surveys and inventories.

Surveys involve collecting data on forest characteristics like species classification, growth rates, watershed development and insect infestation.

Inventorying roads and land plots using GPS equipment and determining possible areas of timber for sale or harvest are other survey results.

Technicians do become involved in plan implementation, in areas such as insect and disease control or tree harvesting and assist with fire control.

Forest technician positions can be seasonal, part-time or full-time positions based on a company’s needs. Seasonal positions can last from three to ten months, typically from spring through winter. Wages run from $30,000 for a temporary annual position to well over $50,000 for a permanent position and are negotiable based on experience.

The technician position usually requires some schooling. A forestry-related bachelor’s degree may be required for some positions, while a two-year forestry degree may be appropriate for others.

Qualifications and certifications for a forestry technician are similar to those for a forester.

Experience in timber cruising, forest mensuration, wildfire-fighting, prescribed burning, and timber sales preparation will be helpful. A candidate should be aware of the pertinent forest regulatory regulations and be experienced in GPS use.

Not all applicants must have direct forestry experience. Previous roles in resource conservation or land management practices may be a good fit. For example, knowledge of ranching conservation practices and backcountry navigation could be applied to the forest technician role in the right situation.

In general, the technician needs a clean and valid driver’s license, along with current First Aid and CPR certification. Skill with chain saws, lawn mowers, brush cutters and other forestry equipment is a major plus.

A forest technician must be physically fit, willing to work outdoors under just about any condition and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Skills in overnight backcountry camping and wilderness orientation are necessary to complete assigned tasks.