Forest & Conservation Workers

realistic interests tree equipment manual labor crop package products forest insect insecticides

Forest Ranger, Forestry Support Specialist, Tree Farmer, Tree Planter

What they do:
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
On the job, you would:
  • Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
  • Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
  • Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Math and Science

  • biology

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Endurance

  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Integrity
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Initiative

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Geographic information system

  • ESRI ArcGIS software Hot Technology
  • Geographic information system GIS software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Spreadsheet software

  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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