Forestry technicians assist foresters in the care and management of forest lands and their resources. They estimate timber production, inspect for insect damage, supervise surveying and road-building crews, work in flood control and water quality programs, supervise firefighting crews, supervise planting and reforestation programs, and maintain forest areas for hunting, camping, and other recreational uses.
About half of all forestry technicians work for private logging, lumber, paper, mining, and railroad companies. The federal government employs about an equal number. Many of the technicians employed by the federal and state governments work during summer only or during the spring and fall fire seasons.
A related job is landscape architect.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Forestry technicians work throughout the country in just about every state.
Outdoor work in all kinds of weather is the norm for this job field. In emergencies such as forest fires and floods, the working hours are very long and the work can be dangerous. In many areas, the work is seasonal.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Good physical condition, stamina, love of the outdoors, and ability to work with or without supervision and to work with a variety of people are all necessary for a forestry technician.
High school should include as many science courses as possible.
Some technicians acquire their training through experience on firefighting crews, in recreation work, or in tree nurseries. Because this is a very competitive job field, however, those with specialized training in forestry have better opportunities for full-time employment.
One- and two-year courses for forestry technicians are available in technical institutes, junior colleges, and colleges and universities. Subjects studied include mathematics, biology and botany, land surveying, tree identification, aerial photography interpretation, and timber harvesting.
Potential and Advancement
This field is expected to grow steadily, but applicants will continue to exceed job openings due to the popularity of the work. Private industry will continue to provide the bulk of the full-time positions.
Additional Sources of Information
- American Forests, 734 15th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 20005 Phone: 202-737-1944
- Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198
- USDA Forest Service, Mailstop: 1111, 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20250-1111
