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Updated 2010
Summary Report for:
19-1032.00 - Foresters
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the
type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up
contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil
stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new
trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Sample of reported job titles: Forester, Area Forester, Fire Prevention Forester, Chief Unit Forester, Environmental
Protection Forester, Regional Forester, Resource Forester, Service Forester, Urban Forester
View report: Summary Details Custom
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests |
Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks
Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
Supervise activities of other forestry workers.
Choose and prepare sites for new trees, using controlled burning, bulldozers, or herbicides to clear weeds,
brush, and logging debris.
Plan and supervise forestry projects, such as determining the type, number and placement of trees to be
planted, managing tree nurseries, thinning forest and monitoring growth of new seedlings.
Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and
leasing of forest lands.
Direct, and participate in, forest fire suppression.
Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
Analyze effect of forest conditions on tree growth rates and tree species prevalence and the yield, duration,
seed production, growth viability, and germination of different species.
Monitor forest-cleared lands to ensure that they are reclaimed to their most suitable end use.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
All terrain vehicles tracked or wheeled All-terrain vehicles ATV; Four wheel drive 4WD vehicles
Clinometers Digital clinometers
Garden chainsaw Chainsaws; Power pruners
Measuring tapes Steel measuring tapes
Sprayers Backpack sprayers; Weed sprayers
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Technology used in this occupation:
Analytical or scientific software Forest vegetation simulators; Forest yield software
Data base user interface and query software Data entry software; Microsoft Access; SMART
*
Inventory management software Forest Metrix software; Fountains Forestry TwoDog
Map creation software ESRI ArcGIS software; Geographic information system GIS software; Mapping software
Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.
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Knowledge
Biology Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and
interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and
spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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Skills
Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make
improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and
evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions,
conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the
most appropriate one.
Systems Analysis Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the
environment will affect outcomes.
Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being
made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Abilities
Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make
sense.
Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken
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words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve
solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Category Flexibility The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in
different ways.
Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes
finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific
rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Work Activities
Documenting/Recording Information Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in
written or electronic/magnetic form.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best
solution and solve problems.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and
accomplish your work.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events,
or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers,
and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization Communicating with people outside the organization,
representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information
can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public.
This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
information or data.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual
judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Work Context
Freedom to Make Decisions How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Electronic Mail How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Telephone How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in
this job?
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Structured versus Unstructured Work To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing
the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Frequency of Decision Making How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other
people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of
other workers?
Work With Work Group or Team How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Coordinate or Lead Others How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in
this job?
Duration of Typical Work Week Number of hours typically worked in one week.
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Job Zone
Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these
occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for
several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-
the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others.
Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers,
chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range (7.0 to < 8.0)
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Education
Percentage of
Respondents Education Level Required
100
Bachelor's degree
This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) educational disciplines:
Engineering Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology
Life Sciences Forest Sciences and Biology; Forestry; Natural Resources and Conservation, Other; Natural
Resources Management and Policy; Natural Resources/Conservation, General; Wood Science and Wood
Products/Pulp and Paper Technology
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Credentials

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Interests
Interest code: RIE
Realistic Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and
solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of
the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount
of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These
occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often
deal with business.
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Work Styles
Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative
attitude.
Independence Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no
supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical.
Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Persistence Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding
aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in
the workplace.
Concern for Others Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and
helpful on the job.
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Work Values
Independence Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make
decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions.
Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their
strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and
Achievement.
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Related Occupations
11-9121.00 Natural Sciences Managers
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13-1041.01 Environmental Compliance Inspectors
19-1023.00 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
19-1031.01 Soil and Water Conservationists Green
19-1031.02 Range Managers
19-2041.00 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
19-2043.00 Hydrologists
19-4091.00 Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
29-9011.00 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
45-1011.06 First-Line Supervisors of Aquacultural Workers
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Wages & Employment Trends
Median wages (2013) $27.46 hourly, $57,110 annual
State wages
Employment (2012) 12,000 employees
Projected growth (2012-2022) Slower than average (3% to 7%)
Projected job openings (2012-
2022)
4,200
State trends
Top industries (2012) Government
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2013 wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in
total employment over the projections period (2012-2022). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
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Job Openings on the Web

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Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links
to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Conservation Scientists and Foresters . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition.
Society of American Foresters (SAF) , 5400 Grosvenor Ln., Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: (301) 897-8720.
Fax: (301) 897-3690.
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