forest economy

Careers in forestry

There has never been a more exciting time to begin a career in the forest sector, where modern forest management and technology go hand-in-hand and career options are abundant.

College-bound students

If you’re college-bound and interested in a career in the forest sector, there are many opportunities to choose from. This resource guide details these career options, and it will help you identify both college and career paths.

What path will you take?

Just imagine the possibilities.

Management, Policy and Planning

Work to conserve and manage forests and their many natural resources. Develop strategies and policies to ensure a perfect balance between social, economic and environmental concerns.

Chief Forester, Deputy Forester

Regional Administrator

Environmental Planning

Compliance Specialist

Lawyer

Planning Consultant

Economist

Professor

Forestry and Natural Resource Sciences

A background in biological or physical sciences is the foundation for a career in managing water systems (hydrology), forest ecology, tree physiology regarding insects and disease (entomology and pathology), forest soils, geology and microclimatology.

Forester / Urban Forester / Research Forester / Arborist

Forest / Environmental Consultant

Forest Resource Administrator

Forestry Technician

Conservation Biology (Soil, Plant, Hydrology, Wildlife, etc.)

Fire Suppression Specialist

Rangeland Specialist

Environmental Protection Specialist

Land Use Planner / Land Investment Analyst

Habitat Conservation Specialist

Biometrician

Biostatistician

Natural Resource Specialist

Nursery/Greenhouse Manager

Silviculturist

Soil Management

Insect and Disease Management

Land Rehabilitation Specialist

Realtor / Real Estate

Professor / Educator

Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Combine your excellent people skills with an intimate knowledge of forests, fish and wildlife. In your job you will help people develop a greater understanding, respect and connection with the forest and its natural wonders.

Parks and Recreation Coordinator

Recreation Specialist

Adventure Travel Guide

Environmental Educator

Park Interpreter

Park Naturalist

Public Information Officer

Environmental Sociologist

Supervisor / Parks Maintenance

Park Superintendent

Park Administrator

Environmental Science and Technology

Using GIS and other sophisticated air and water testing technologies, monitor the ecosystem, take measurements and make assessments that will help guide forest management decisions.

Forestry GIS Analyst

GIS Technician

Environmental Technologist

Air and Water Quality Specialist / Chemist

Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Safety Specialist

Geotechnical Engineer

Toxicologist

Water Recycling And Solid Waste Engineer

Watershed Program Director

Water Quality Specialist

Photogrammetrist

Fish and Wildlife Management

A career working with government, industry and private organizations, you will manage and sustain healthy populations of fish and wildlife by drawing from your extensive knowledge of biology and ecology.

Scientist

Project Manager

Fisheries Biologist / Technician

Wildlife Animal Control Technician

Wildlife Biologist / Wildlife Refuge Manager

Hatchery Manager

Aquatic Toxicologist / Ecologist

Wildlife Forester

Game Warden

Aquaculturist

Wildlife Keeper

Mammalogist

Genetics and Biotechnology

How do forest organisms grow, adapt and interact with their environment? Jobs in these rapidly evolving fields of study tackle these types of intricate questions and then use the results to shape the forest of the future.

Tree Breeder

Tree Improvement Technician

Forest Geneticist

Lab Technician

Field Technician

Biochemist

Molecular Biologist

Tissue Culture Specialist

Genetic Engineering Specialist

Professor / Educator

Wood and Paper Science

Try to imagine the number of the wood and paper products being used each day. Now double or even triple it. Be at the forefront with a career that allows you to create new and exciting uses for nature's most abundant and versatile renewable material.

Pulp and Paper Specialist

Mill Manager

Renewable Materials

Wood Science and Engineering

Sawmill Supervisor

Wood Fiber Acquisition and Sales

Wood Technologist

Packaging Engineer

Resin Technologist

Energy Specialist

Professor / Educator

High school graduates

If you are a high school grad, or soon to be, there are plenty of interesting career opportunities in the forest and wood products sectors that don’t require a college degree.

Check out this guide for descriptions of jobs in wood product production – everything from growing, harvesting and transporting timber to milling and manufacturing wood products. Get a clear picture of the job duties, required skills, working conditions and potential career paths.

Forest sector jobs pay a better-than-average wage

Logging and Forestry Crews

With a job in logging, you’ll work in a team of five to ten and use cutting tools and machinery to move logs safely from stump to roadside landing. You’ll also be involved in reforestation and active management of new forests.

Timber Faller

Tree Planter

Choker Setter

Rigging Slinger

Tree Thinner

Firefighter

Fire Engine Assistant

Heavy Equipment Operator

With computer monitor, joysticks, buttons, toggles, gauges, levers and pedals you will operate sophisticated equipment to select and fall trees, remove branches and cut them into logs. Then haul them up steep terrain and sort and load them for transport.

Skidder Operator

Dozer Operator

Harvester Operator

Log Loader Operator

Processor Operator

Yarder Operator

Rock Crusher Operator

Excavator Operator

Track-Hoe Operator

Forestry Technician

Grade, select and purchase raw materials for the mill, or supervise the assets needed to bring raw materials to the mill in a manner that is safe for workers and has minimal impact on the forest.

Timber Cruiser and Marker

Log Buyer / Appraiser

Engineering Technician

Biology / Hydrology Technician

Survey Technician

Road Construction Specialist

Fuels Technician

Fire / Security Watch

Transportation

Transport logs from remote locations to lumber mills via narrow and steep forest roads and wide highways. Work independently to locate travel routes and guide the safe loading and delivery of your payload.

Log Truck Driver

Self-Loader Driver

Dump Truck Driver

Semi Truck Driver

Lowboy Driver

Rail Engineer

Tug Crewperson

Helicopter Pilot

Equipment Mechanics

In the field or in the shop, this job will give you an opportunity to diagnose, repair and maintain heavy forestry equipment, trucks and in some cases airplanes and helicopters.

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Diesel Truck Mechanic

Saw Shop/Motor Mechanic

Field Service Mechanic

Aviation Mechanic

Management / Supervision

In addition to coordinating daily work activities, be responsible for ensuring safe working conditions and training and mentoring crewmembers.

Crew Boss

Hooktender

Reload / Log Yard Manager

Project Foreman

Road Manager

Production / Shift Supervisor

Maintenance or Transportation Manager

Maintenance

Using specialized skills, in this job you will help install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair mill machinery and equipment.

Saw Filer

Electrician

Millwright

Maintenance Technician

Product Finishing

With specialized training, a career in finishing will require that you process timber into lumber and ensure maximum output from both logs and wood byproducts.

Boiler / Dry Kiln Assistant

Bin Attendant

Grader

Planer Operator

Stacker Operator

Production Centers

With a skilled eye, control the conveyor systems and machines that process timber to maximize grade and value.

Debarker Operator

Chipper Operator

Sawyer

Canter Operator

Edger Operator

Chain Puller

Rough Stacker Operator

Gang Saw / Sorter Operator

Edger / Optimizer Operator

Press Operator

Mill Yard

Move materials and equipment through the mill with constant concern for safety and efficiency.

Shipping Attendant

Forklift Operator

Loader Operator

Truck / Railcar Loader

Log Scaler

Yard Crewperson