Foresters Job Description: Duties, Knowledge and Training Requirements, Job Information
Submitted by: Cheska Davenport
Job Overview: Foresters are people who manage and protect forest resources by means of various biological methods and techniques. They make use of specialized knowledge in biology and ecology to manage the use of natural resources found in forests, as well as regulate timber production and protect them from pest damage, fire and theft. Other foresters take charge of reestablishing new forests after harvesting.
Education, Knowledge and Training Required: To become a qualified for the job, one should have a degree in forestry and other related courses. Programs offered by universities which can be of great use to this career include agriculture, ecology, biology (ecosystem management and physiological principles), forest policy and administration, environmental science and natural resources management. Foresters may also come from programs such as chemistry, physics, zoology, soil science, geology, geography and economics. Once hired, foresters undergo classroom training about legislative procedures, forest measurements and environmental regulations.
Skills and Abilities: Foresters are required to be self-reliant, as the nature of their job is ambiguous and open-ended. They should be capable of making decisions on their own and must have their own initiative at work and while on the site. They should have the aptitude for science and curiosity, as well as the strong liking for outdoor adventure. Foresters should also be patient since trees grow at a slow pace. They must also be conscientious about their decisions as the outcome of their choices become visible after a number of years. Most of all, foresters must be physically fit since they are going to do a lot of physical work.
Tasks: Most of the tasks taken by foresters involve working with woodland owners to manage their properties. Among their basic duties include mapping forest areas and estimating the amount and value of the resources found in the area, such as timber, food, water, game shelter and forage.
They also check on areas which need intervention, such as scattering seed from helicopters, planting trees, controlling pests and diseases, thinning dense forests, pruning trees and preventing forest fires. They also monitor the best time for harvesting, and sometimes they lay out logging roads or pathways to lakes and recreational facilities. They usually supervise crew members for the manual and physical work and see how the work is when done. Other foresters meanwhile mark trees to be cut and oversee the removal of logs and pulpwood. They may serve as heads of lookouts, pilots and patrols who detect fires, issue permits, give instructions to campers, track down lost hikers, and rescue those who are in danger in forests. They also make reports and documents about the work done in the forest and submit them to their superiors for review and recommendation.
Earnings and Job Outlook: Foresters earn an average of $24,677 per year at entry levels, but this salary may rise as they become more seasoned on the job. Foresters, especially those hired by the government, earn an average of $63,492 per year, as well as benefits such as life and medical insurance, pension and retirement plans.
Cheska Davenport is a career search strategist who focuses on creating power resumes and providing job search advice that aim to help individuals achieve their target goals in the job market.
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Word Count: 526 Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 Time: 4:40 AM
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