Careers in forestry and logging operations offer exciting opportunities to learn and apply a wide range of skills in a variety of outdoor-based settings. These rewarding careers not only deliver valuable wood products to the market, they help ensure the continued protection of our outdoor environment.
Ever-advancing technology and innovation help people in logging and forestry do things better, safer and in more comfortable settings than ever before. There are many fulfilling careers working in jobs where you want to go to work, and you get to travel to different outdoor jobsites every week.
There are many career opportunities in today's progressive forestry workforce. Each category below includes an array of forestry jobs.
Logging Crew
Loggers cut and process trees into logs in the forest. Entry-level positions receive training on the job, and more experienced positions take on greater responsibilities.
Trucking
Drivers transport the timber and machinery from the forest to the milling plant. Requires specialized training, a commercial drivers license and ample experience.
Management/
Supervision
Supervisors oversee the safe and productive function of employees working outdoors in forested terrain. Requires previous experience, often including specialized training or education certificates.
Forestry Crew
These jobs involve manual labor working outdoors in forested terrain -- often on a crew comprised of several workers, or helping other operators do their work. As entry-level positions, most training occurs on the job.
Equipment
Management Services
Mechanics diagnose, service and repair heavy equipment and trucks either in the shop or at remote field locations. Requires specialized training, often including education certificates, and experience.
Business Ownership
Owners typically have their roots in previous forestry work, advancing up the ranks to self-ownership. There are many types of forestry companies, employing from one to a couple hundred workers.
Heavy Equipment Operation
Skilled machinery operators run large function-built equipment. Operators may run different machines during the year. Requires specialized training and extensive experience.
Forestry Technicians
Specialized forestry positions that perform technically demanding work outdoors in the forest. Requires specialized training, often including some college education or certificates, as well as ample experience.
Forestry Professionals
Forest management decision-making, policies, and planning are conducted by "forestry professionals." These occupations typically require a college degree for entry-level employment.
