What does a 3194175forestry9.66natural resources3.98wildlife3.26outdoor3.02environmental2.83279412475910.0022.0238.60HOURLY6631892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Forestry Technician do?

A Forestry Technician helps to preserve forested areas for future generations. By conducting tests and inspections, a technician can spot a potential threat before it causes serious damage to plant and animal life. Their enforcement of park rules and regulations reduces the risk of forest fires and accidental injuries and deaths occurring on public and private lands. The educational aspect of 3194175forestry9.66natural resources3.98wildlife3.26outdoor3.02environmental2.83279412475910.0022.0238.60HOURLY6631892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Forestry Technician job duties promotes increased respect for forest ecosystems among campers and outdoor enthusiasts. As a result, these activities can further lower the likelihood of fires and potentially minimize the need for maintenance and repairs due to negligence.

Forestry Technician skills and qualifications

Quality candidates for 3194175forestry9.66natural resources3.98wildlife3.26outdoor3.02environmental2.83279412475910.0022.0238.60HOURLY6631892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Forestry Technician job openings should possess key skills and qualifications. Some indications that individuals may excel in Forestry Technician careers include:

• Strong background in biology and environmental science
• Analytical skills to understand the results of scientific testing
• Problem-solving skills to develop plans of action related to conservation and emergency response
• Ability to move safely over rough, uneven terrain and to travel over long distances
• Interpersonal skills to enforce rules with authority and deescalate confrontations
• Project management skills to oversee and coordinate responses to pests, diseases and fire
• Ability to use precision scientific equipment and maneuver heavy loads of supplies and samples
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills to educate the public, collaborate with coworkers and compile reports

3194175forestry9.66natural resources3.98wildlife3.26outdoor3.02environmental2.83279412475910.0022.0238.60HOURLY6631892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Forestry Technician experience requirements

Typically, employers look for Forestry Technicians who have some experience working in forestry. For an entry-level position, completing an internship or volunteer work may be adequate. Mid-level positions that involve training and supervising staff normally require at least one to two years of previous experience completing Forestry Technician job duties. Often called journeymen, the highest-ranking Forestry Technicians on the team typically need at least three to five years of experience working as a tech and serving as a supervisor or manager.

Forestry Technician education and training requirements

If your job opening is for an entry-level position, a high school diploma or associate degree in forestry, forest management or environmental science may be adequate, provided candidates have taken coursework in statistics, geology, trigonometry, biology and hydrology. Normally, mid-level and journey Forestry Technicians require at least a bachelor’s degree in forestry management or forestry. In large national and state parks, journey Forestry Technicians may hold graduate-level degrees.

Some Forestry Technicians seek Certified Forester certification from the Society of American Foresters. At least 10 years of working experience and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in forestry management are necessary for the certification. In addition, technicians must pass a written examination. You may wish to prioritize candidates who are Certified Foresters when hiring for positions that involve supervising, training or independent research.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the Forestry Technician job duties don’t fully align with your organization’s requirements, these alternative job descriptions may be a better fit:

• Park Ranger
• Wildlife Biologist
• Firefighter

Forestry Technician job description FAQs

What are the working conditions for Forestry Technicians?

Forestry Technicians often work in extreme environments and must contend with extreme heat or cold or face severe storms or wildfires. Because they work outdoors, technicians must also contend with sun exposure and pests like ticks and mosquitoes. Accurately describing conditions in a job description and describing what personal protection is available for technicians may encourage quality candidates to apply for your open position.

What are the different types of Forestry Technicians?

In large forests, Forestry Technicians may work in a specialty area. Fire Forestry Technicians focus solely on helping forests recover from fires and preventing fires within parks and private forests. Dispatch Fire Technicians work in areas where the threat of fire is especially high and are responsible for directing firefighters to fires and monitoring their progress. Research technicians participate in long-term projects studying plant and animal life, while educator technicians have public-facing jobs, giving lectures and informal talks on fire safety and conservation.

Who does a Forestry Technician Report to?

Who a Forestry Technician reports to depends on the size and organizational chart of a public park or private forest management operation. Facilities that hire many Forestry Technicians may have tiered job descriptions with entry-level techs reporting to mid-level techs who are overseen by journey techs. Scientists like hydrologists and botanists may serve as the direct supervisors for journey techs or the entire forestry technician team. In other facilities, a tech may be the direct report of the head park ranger or park director.