What does a forester do?
Foresters are individuals who practice forestry, art, science, and forest management. They are typically engaged in various activities that include the management of protected areas and ecological restoration. These professionals are responsible for maintaining the forests and managing different objectives, including outdoor recreation, conservation, and raw material extraction. This role also requires you to perform other activities such as enforcing forestry laws and protecting natural resources. Other duties include conducting a survey of regional plants and animals and monitoring all human activities in the forests.
Forester responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real forester resumes:
- Manage 8 staff members at the HQ and up to 50 off-site.
- Manage landowner survey program to meet SFI standards.
- Manage and implement the daily operations for developing and expanding dispersal habitat for the company HCP.
- Manage the rifle range, pistol range and physical fitness tests, combat fitness tests and swim qualifications.
- Manage and distribute COMSEC cryptographic material for communications security devices on a monthly basis.
- Manage inventory and treatment data as well as special projects for privately-own timberland using advance GIS and database software.
- Secure right-of-ways, prepare timber and land acquisition contracts, logging and timbering notification forms to DOF.
- General maintenance of the park and nature center include mowing, tree trimming, wood chipping and animal care.
- Represent DEA in various DOJ legislative reform working groups to address the impact of emerging communication technologies on law enforcement.
- Identify hazard trees using ISA principles.
- Monitor storm clean-up per FEMA requirements.
- Complete Recon work on large tracts of land.
- Monitor NASA expendable launch vehicles associate with DoD programs.
- Respond to calls for suspect EAB and find confirmed infestation.
- Assist firefighting crews with prescribe burning and wildland fire suppression.
Forester skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Foresters are proficient in Natural Resources, Patrol, and Management Practices. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Management skills, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Foresters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Natural Resources, 20%
Support RRAD's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) and the Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (INCRMP).
- Patrol, 12%
Patrol distribution and transmission lines for Empire Electric in order to maintain the vegetation along them.
- Management Practices, 10%
Perform aerial observation of logging operations to ensure Alabama's Best Management Practices for forestry are being utilized.
- Vegetation Management, 8%
Manage annual funding allocated for vegetation management activities.
- Management Plans, 7%
Assisted non-industrial forest landowners with management activities through educational workshops, management plans, and cost-share activities.
- Inspection Results, 6%
Submit inspection results to clients with recommendations.
Common skills that a forester uses to do their job include "natural resources," "patrol," and "management practices." You can find details on the most important forester responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a forester to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "conservation scientists and foresters must be able to evaluate results from field tests and experiments to determine potential impacts on soil, forest lands, and the spread of fires." Additionally, a forester resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "maintain and update forest inventory computer program and transmit collected data to centralized computer system. "
Management skills. Another essential skill to perform forester duties is management skills. Foresters responsibilities require that "conservation scientists and foresters must be able to lead the forest and conservation workers and technicians they supervise." Foresters also use management skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "recorded work observations via getac computer tablet using vegetation management software. "
Physical stamina. foresters are also known for physical stamina, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to forester responsibilities, because "conservation scientists and foresters may walk long distances in challenging terrain, such as steep or wooded areas, and may work in all kinds of weather conditions." A forester resume example shows how physical stamina is used in the workplace: "job included high physical demand, rigorous hikes or flown by helicopter to fire incident. "
The three companies that hire the most foresters are:
- ACRT Services76 foresters jobs
- The Davey Tree Expert Company13 foresters jobs
- West Fraser9 foresters jobs
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Compare different foresters
Forester vs. Environmental technician
An environmental technician is responsible for identifying, evaluating, preventing, and controlling contamination of the environment. They study how it affects human health with the supervision of environmental engineers and environmental scientists. Environmental technicians work by monitoring the environment and look for possible sources of pollution and contamination that can possibly affect public health. They make sure that environmental violations are prevented. In addition, an environmental technician also investigates any complaint that is related to water quality, air quality, and food safety.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, forester responsibilities require skills like "natural resources," "patrol," "management practices," and "vegetation management." Meanwhile a typical environmental technician has skills in areas such as "patients," "osha," "hazardous materials," and "patient rooms." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Environmental technicians really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $43,237. Comparatively, foresters tend to make the most money in the insurance industry with an average salary of $71,235.On average, environmental technicians reach similar levels of education than foresters. Environmental technicians are 1.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Forester vs. Environmental specialist
Environmental specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that forester responsibilities requires skills like "natural resources," "patrol," "management practices," and "vegetation management." But an environmental specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "hazardous waste," "environmental compliance," "hazardous materials," and "epa."
Environmental specialists earn a higher average salary than foresters. But environmental specialists earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $63,858. Additionally, foresters earn the highest salaries in the insurance with average pay of $71,235 annually.environmental specialists earn higher levels of education than foresters in general. They're 6.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Forester vs. Environmental service technician
An environmental service technician is an employee who works in a hospital or healthcare facility to maintain cleanliness and a healthy environment within the premises. Environmental service technicians are involved in traditional janitorial tasks as well as proper handling and disposal of biological waste. Although not responsible for laundering them, they are required to distribute linens and keep track of the linens used per department. Environmental service technicians must also refill toilet papers and other paper products to rooms when needed.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, foresters are more likely to have skills like "natural resources," "patrol," "management practices," and "vegetation management." But a environmental service technician is more likely to have skills like "patients," "environmental services," "cleanliness," and "floor care."
Environmental service technicians make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $31,196. On the other hand, foresters are paid the highest salary in the insurance industry, with average annual pay of $71,235.environmental service technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to foresters. Specifically, they're 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Forester vs. Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
Types of forester
Updated January 8, 2025
