Forest worker

Forest workers carry out a variety of jobs to care for and manage trees, woodland areas and forests. Their activities include include planting, trimming, thinning and felling trees and protecting them from pests, diseases and damage.

The duties of a forest worker typically include some or all of the following:

• mark and measure trees to be cut down
• prepare the ground for planting by clearing undergrowth
• plant new tree seedlings
• dig out or install drainage systems
• trim and cut back shrubs and other ground cover to promote the healthy growth of trees
• use specialist tools to thin out densely wooded areas
• harvest trees, strip branches and cut felled tree trunks into specific lengths
• protect the forest against insect pests and disease, particularly young trees
• clear footpaths and nature trails, and maintain facilities such as car parks.

Forest workers typically work for state and local governments or on privately owned forest lands or nurseries. Governments also employ forest and conservation workers on a contract basis.

Forestry work is physically hard and demanding. Forest workers spend most of your time working outdoors in all weather conditions.

Some of the work can be dangerous as forest workers may use power tools and heavy machinery, such as electric saws. Wearing protective clothing is necessary for certain jobs. They may also need to use a safety harness for climbing trees. Sometimes, they may be exposed to contaminants such as pesticides.

Depending on their location, forest workers may need to travel between different sites, so a valid drivers’ license is often required.

Forest workers usually work full time. They may work a schedule with irregular hours due to weather conditions and project deadlines. They may also work seasonal jobs.

The following job titles also refer to forest worker:

woodland worker
forest workers
silviculture worker
woodland assistant
forestry worker
forestry assistant

No formal educational credential is required to be a forest worker, although a high school diploma is preferred. On-the-job training is usually provided by the employers.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Forest worker is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to forest worker.

garden labourer
refuse collector
sorter labourer
building cleaner
recycling worker

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of forest worker. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of forest worker with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

arboriculturist
tree surgeon
forest ranger
groundsman/groundswoman
landscape gardener

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of forest worker.

• Pollution prevention: The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.

These skills are necessary for the role of forest worker.

• Control tree diseases: Identify diseased or undesirable trees. Remove them using power saws or hand saws.
• Perform pest control: Carry out crop spraying pest and disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements. Carry out slurry and fertiliser spreading in accordance with local environmental regulations
• Work independently in forestry services: Perform tasks individually in forestry services by taking decisions without help. Handle tasks and tackle with issues or problems without any outside assistance.
• Perform tree thinning: Removing some trees from a stand in order to improve tree health, timber value and production.
• Maintain the trails: Check trails and clear away brush from trails and roads when necessary. Inspect campsites and prepare the area for visitors.
• Build fences: Put up fences using a pothole digger, shovel, tamper, and other manual tools.
• Plant green plants: Plant seeds manually or by using ground equipment.
• Carry out aerial tree rigging: Undertake aerial tree rigging to safely remove lower tree sections using suitable cuts, minimising shock loading in the rigging systems. Take into account the expected load and the positions of the ground crew, other anchor points, equipment, planned drop zone, and processing area.
• Maintain forestry equipment: Check forestry equipment to make sure that it is in working order.
• Perform weed control operations: Carry out crop spraying for weeds and plant disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements.
• Put up signs: Put up signs using a posthole digger, shovel, tamper, and other manual tools.
• Spray pesticides: Spray pesticide solutions to keep insects, fungus, weed growth, and diseases under control.
• Plant trees: Transplant and plant trees or tree seeds in woodland areas and forests.
• Protect biodiversity: Protect biodiversity among animals, plants and microorganism by adopting environmentally sustainable actions such as maintaining natural habitats and preserving nature.
• Have a high level of safety awareness: Ensure high levels of safety awareness; use personal protection equipment; communicate with staff members and provide advice on health and safety issues.
• Execute disease and pest control activities: Execute disease and pest control activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the climate, plant or crop type, health and safety and environmental regulations. Store and handle pesticides in accordance with recommendation and legislation.
• Nurse trees: Plant, fertilise and trim trees, shrubs and hedges. Examine trees to assess their condition and determine treatment. Work to eradicate insects, fungus and diseases which are harmful to trees, assist with prescribed burning, and work on preventing erosion.
• Assist tree identification: Assist in the development and improvement of techniques for measuring and identifying trees. Obtain and use various sources of information to accurately identify and name trees, use tree characteristics to aid identification, identify tree species in all seasons.
• Climb trees: Ascend and descend from trees in a safely manner.
• Assist forest survey crew: Hold measuring tape and survey rods. Carry and stakes and set them. Clear vegetation from sighting line. Assist forest survey crew in related tasks.
• Manage forest fires: Protect life, property and resources by preventing forest fires. Detect, control, restrict and suppress fires when they occur. Integrate knowledge of fire regimes, the effects of fire and the values at risk, the required level of forest protection, and costs of fire-related activities.
• Operate forestry equipment: Operate various forest instruments such as skidders, bulldozers to pull scarification or site preparation equipment over forest areas to be regenerated.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of forest worker. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Animal hunting: The techniques, procedures and legislations concerning the hunting of animals such as wildlife and birds for the purpose of gaining food and animal products, recreation, trade and wildlife management.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of forest worker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer program, create computer files or documents.
• Develop forestry strategies: Build up forestry policies in order to enhance their sustainable management and to improve communication linked to forestry operations. These plans are meant to tackle issues regarding correlated environmental and societal changes.
• Maintain camping facilities: Keep campsites or areas for recreation, including maintenance and supply selection.
• Adapt to changes in forestry: Readjust to constant changes in work environments for forestry operations. These mostly affect working hours and conditions.
• Handle forest products: Gather, package, and deliver forest products to buyers.
• Make decisions regarding forestry management: Decide on issues regarding various aspects concerning the management of natural resources such as forests and woodland areas.
• Report pollution incidents: When an incident causes pollution, examine the extent of the damage and what the consequences could be and report it relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.
• Pay attention to safety while performing forestry operations: Accomplish forestry related tasks by paying attention to small details which can contribute to a safer work environment.

9215 – Forestry labourers

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References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Forest Worker | Career Database | CareerHQ
4. Forestry Technician – Working Conditions – IllinoisWorkNet
5. Featured image: Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash