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Resource forester skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

1 min read

Quoted experts

Paul Doruska,

Paul Doruska

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical resource forester skills. We ranked the top skills for resource foresters based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 49.8% of resource forester resumes contained gis as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a resource forester needs to be successful in the workplace.

5 resource forester skills for your resume and career

1. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how resource foresters use gis:

Completed S-341 GIS course in 2011.
Maintained security clearance with responsibility for managing and inspecting vegetation at pole facilities for Geographic Information System (GIS) errors.

2. Harvest

Here's how resource foresters use harvest:

Developed and applied silvicultural treatments to reforest harvest areas under various stand, terrain, environmental, and biological conditions.
Prepared annual harvest schedule, prescribed site preparation and reforestation activities, and monitored boundary line maintenance program.

3. Forests

Here's how resource foresters use forests:

Assisted with the creation of the Wyoming Forest Action Plan.
Sit as a Cooperator on U.S. Forest Service Forest Plan Revisions on the Shoshone and Medicine Bow/Routt National Forests.

4. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how resource foresters use gps:

Tree inventory using GPS technology for municipalities.
Complete route off highway vehicle trail inventories, within designated areas, with all terrain vehicles and GPS.

5. DOF

Here's how resource foresters use dof:

Secured right-of-ways, prepared timber and land acquisition contracts, logging and timbering notification forms to DOF.

What skills help Resource Foresters find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on resource forester resumes?

Paul Doruska

Professor of Forest Measurements & Forestry Discipline Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

-Demonstrated field skills and in-field experiences - certificates/certifications (i.e., chainsaw, pesticide applicator, wildland fire, ...) certificates have become more important than minors, in my opinion - require fewer university credits (10-12) than minors (18-22), and focus on applied skills and practical knowledge. They often require some university courses and some outside of the university training). Those wanting to expand on what can be offered through the 120 credits in a bachelor's of science degree in forestry will find some of the certificate knowledge embedded with the degree.

-Knowledge of forest management certification systems and carbon accounting.

What soft skills should all resource foresters possess?

Paul Doruska

Professor of Forest Measurements & Forestry Discipline Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Awareness/Adherence to equity, diversity, inclusion, communicating (written, oral, electronic, social media), listening, teamwork, ethics, adaptability (especially to changing technology), conflict resolution, lifelong dedication to continuing education (As the world of forestry is forever changing) and dedication to continued certifications - (all of those above and then post-graduate certifications such as Society of American Foresters Certified Forester, Certified Park and Recreation Professional, Real Estate/Appraisals (unfortunately don't know the correct titling here off the top of my head) and the list goes on... Willingness to network through professional organizations (Society of American foresters, Parks and Recreation Association, Society for ecological restoration, International Society of Arboriculture, the list goes on...); multitasking to make most efficient use of one's time.

What hard/technical skills are most important for resource foresters?

Paul Doruska

Professor of Forest Measurements & Forestry Discipline Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Geographic Information Systems, forest inventory, finance, silviculture, developing and defending sound management plans in one's chosen area of forestry (forest management, recreation, urban and community forestry, or Ecosystem Restoration and Management are the areas here at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point)

What resource forester skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Justin Kunkle PhD

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Michigan State University

Forestry is a good profession to enter now due to the increasing focus on environmental conservation, sustainable resource management, and the growing demand for professionals who can manage forests effectively. There are also opportunities for innovation and technological advancements in the field.

What technical skills for a resource forester stand out to employers?

Patrick Hiesl Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Forest Operations, Clemson University

The one skill that repeatedly is asked for by employers is a working knowledge of spreadsheets, and in many cases the use of pivot tables. Forestry includes a lot of number crunching and spreadsheets really help to organize and streamline that process. Other technical skills include a solid foundation in timber cruising techniques, both on paper, and with digital data recorders. While nobody expects new employees to be familiar with all technology, employers are looking for people that can easily adapt to new tools and build on their existing skills.

Do you want to know more?

List of resource forester skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a resource forester resume and required skills for a resource forester to have include:

GIS
Harvest

Forests
GPS

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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