National
| Median wages (2008) |
$25.84 hourly, $53,750 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
13,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
5,000 additional employees |
19-1032.00 - Foresters
Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine the best time for harvesting. Develop forest management plans for public and privately-owned forested lands.
Sample of reported job titles:
Forester, Area Forester, Fire Prevention Forester, Chief Unit Forester, Environmental Protection Forester, Regional Forester, Resource Forester, Service Forester, Urban Forester
Tasks
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
- Supervise activities of other forestry workers.
- Choose and prepare sites for new trees, using controlled burning, bulldozers, or herbicides to clear weeds, brush, and logging debris.
- Plan and supervise forestry projects, such as determining the type, number and placement of trees to be planted, managing tree nurseries, thinning forest and monitoring growth of new seedlings.
- Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
- Direct, and participate in, forest-fire suppression.
- Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
- Analyze effect of forest conditions on tree growth rates and tree species prevalence and the yield, duration, seed production, growth viability, and germination of different species.
- Monitor forest-cleared lands to ensure that they are reclaimed to their most suitable end use.
