Forestry Technicians Job Description: Tasks, Required Skills, Education, Career Outlook and Salary
Submitted by: Cheska Davenport
Job Overview: Forestry technicians work together with a forest management team as well as with a professional forester. They gather pertinent information to be used for formulating decisions and methods to resolve resource depletion and other related issues. They plan, supervise and conduct different operations to maintain forest growth, such as harvesting, replanting, and marketing of forest produce. Forest technicians are skilled in inventory methods and management to produce wood fiber, as well as control forest and wildlife areas from fires, pests and diseases. They may also survey land, measure output products, and operate logging equipment.
Education, Knowledge and Training Required: Prospective forest technicians are required to take a two-year associate’s degree in forestry technology or other related programs. The technical program includes the use of both scientific method and applied science principles, and these include the different plants and trees that grow in forests, as well as how they affect other natural resources. Technicians must able be knowledgeable about measuring the amount of lumber found in a tree, thus they have to take courses in mathematics and botany, communications and engineering. Other lessons involved in forestry technology courses include forest surveying, tree identification, forest orientation, applied silviculture, forest soils and wildlife ecology.
Skills and Abilities: Forestry technicians should have the passion for outdoor work. They must have good health and stamina, as they will always be outdoors working on various forest needs and issues. They should be able to think and act clearly with good judgment, and as well remain calm during emergency situations. They should also be self-reliant and work with minimal supervision, and be capable of being resourceful, self-sufficient and able to handle solitude.
Tasks: Forestry technicians perform a number of duties, such as forest land management and administration, as well as in timber production, recreation, water regulation, wildlife forage, preservation of natural resources, etc. Forestry technicians also take charge of controlled forest fires, harvesting forests, and replanting activities with the supervision of a forester.
They also conduct periodic measuring of trees to determine the amount of lumber which can be produced during the season, and perform spraying and fertilizing to keep the trees healthy and protected from pest or disease. They also harvest and market trees by means of operating logging machinery, surveying lands after harvest, and reconditioning the land for replanting activities.
Earnings and Job Outlook: Forest technicians usually receive a starting salary of $28,540, and after a few years their wages increase to as much as $45,700 per year. Most forest technicians work for the federal government, while others are found in lumber companies and other related industries. They also receive benefits such as paid holidays, sick leaves, vacations, insurance and retirement packages.
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.
Latest Articles about: Careers
1: College Mathematics Professors: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook2: Mathematics Teacher: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
3: Medical Assistant: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
4: Mathematicians: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
5: Medical Ethicist: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Word Count: 471 Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 Time: 4:43 AM
Previous - Foresters Job Description: Duties, Knowledge and Training Requirements, Job Information | Next - Forge Shop Workers Job Description: Career Information, Training and Required Knowledge, Employment Outlook and Salary Expectations