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Forest Worker

Also known as Forestry Worker.

Forest workers assist with growing, maintaining and harvesting timber plantations.

Forest workers are usually employed in small work teams.

They may work in softwood and hardwood plantations and forests, in rural areas or in isolated bush locations.

Much of the work is outdoors and therefore subject to varying weather conditions.

Some aspects of the work can be physically demanding.

TASKS

Forest workers may perform the following tasks:

prepare sites for tree planting
raise and package cuttings and seedlings at a forest nursery
undertake planting and other regrowth activities of native or plantation forests
control weeds and pests in both new and established forests using fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides
prune and thin trees in plantations by hand and using mechanical equipment
collect seeds
construct and maintain facilities such as access roads, buildings and visitors' amenities
prevent and put out fires, including maintenance of fire breaks
take part in fire spotting and controlled burning
maintain forestry equipment and vehicles
mark trees for harvesting
observe correct environmental practices to minimise impact on roads, water courses and wildlife corridors

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy practical and outdoor work
alert and safety-conscious
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
good hand-eye coordination
interested in forest protection and regeneration
sound literacy and numeracy skills

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Forest Nursery Technician - carries out and manages seed harvesting, propagation or cultivation of young trees at a forest nursery.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as a forest worker without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

You can also become a forest worker through a traineeship in Forest Growing and Management.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Forest and Forest Products Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Forest workers are employed by government departments, forest owners or private contractors who are hired by wood processing firms to carry out logging operations. Work may be on a continuous basis or on short-term contract, or piecework for specific tasks such as tree planting or pruning.