Forester Job description: What does a Forester do?

Foresters are certified experts who know the art and science of managing forests. They aim to conserve and maintain the forests in Canada. They also need to instruct others about the right use of forest resources to protect the ecosystem. However, foresters are not same as the loggers. Unlike loggers, foresters do not just focus on harvesting timber. They also implement sustainable forest management practices. They have several responsibilities from managing forest personnel to overseeing contracts.

What would I do?

To work as a forester, you must know about your duties-

• Enact safety protocols - As Canada has forested recreational zones, foresters evaluate fire risks. They have to supervise campsites to ensure the right use of fires for recreational purposes. Moreover, they help others collect debris and grime from forested sites to reduce fire risks.
• Maintain parks and trails - Licensed foresters know everything about ecology and forest geography to design new parks and pathways for exploration. They instruct on park maintenance and protect trees from visitors.
• Educate others - Some foresters are assigned educational tasks. They often attend public seminars to provide information on forest conservation.
• Manage lumber sales - Government-employed foresters participate in lumber procurement activities. They determine the right site for harvesting and instruct on replanting the areas. They also negotiate deals for a logging company.
• Study vegetation and forest animals - As foresters know about various plants and creatures, they have to protect them.

Am I suited for a role as a Forester?

The most significant skills of a forester are:

• Analytical abilities - Foresters should interpret field experiments and survey results to determine subsequent actions. Analyzing the tests is essential, as foresters will detect any inaccuracy in development plans.
• Critical thinking abilities - Fast thinking skills are vital for a forester. If there is a disaster, the expert must respond fast. To become a proficient forester, you should have good judgment ability.
• Physical stamina - As some foresters need to work outdoors, they need physical strength. Even if the terrain is uneven, they have to walk long distances without losing energy. So, stay fit to work as a forester.
• Communication skills - Understanding spoken and written information is important for professional foresters. Moreover, they should be able to speak clearly and interpret work-related materials. You can now nurture your communication skills to become a forester.
• Solving problems - It is essential to have a reasoning ability to find solutions for problems. Expert forestry professionals know how to use logic to identify weaknesses and strengths.
• Ecological and tree identification knowledge - Understanding the forest ecosystem’s intricacies is important. To become a qualified forester, you should have a solid knowledge of soil and flora. Forests in Canada are diverse and have different tree species. So, you must know about these species and identify their growth patterns. Tree recognition skills are important for tree selection.
• Research skills - The evolving forestry world faces different challenges. Thus, you must research regularly to stay updated with innovative strategies for forest conservation.
• Teamwork - If you work on a forestry project, you have to work with multidisciplinary teams. You should collaborate with ecologists and biologists. Collaboration with experts ensures better forest management.

So, you have to prepare yourself for the multifaceted profession by acquiring these skills. These special abilities will also help you compete with other foresters.

Environment & Typical Day

Not every forester has the same everyday duties. The professional often needs to interact with geologists and wildlife biologists. But, the main task of a forester is to restore the health of forests. The number of work hours depends on where the forester works.

Sometimes, foresters are assigned to manage forest-related projects and collect the relevant data for environmental research.

They need to conduct technical forestry activities, such as forest product sales and volume estimation. 

Foresters have to collect forest-related data valuable to different government bodies and industries.

They also measure and establish forest plots to facilitate surveys on land management. They collaborate with a team of other foresters to maintain the forest’s sustainability. They also interpret aerial photographs to check plot conditions.

Other everyday duties include-

• Preparing contracts for forest product harvesting 
• Marking and inspecting trees to be harvested
• Coordinating and conducting studies on the volume of the felled trees
• Evaluating areas before and after burning

What are the wages and benefits?

Salary: A reliable source revealed that the average annual salary of foresters in Canada is $60,420. As a beginner-level forester, you may earn 44,385 per year. On the contrary, experienced foresters have a chance of earning up to $101,066. Depending on where you work, there is an opportunity to gain incentives. Glassdoor disclosed that the hourly salary of foresters in Ottawa is around CA$13 -CA$15. 

What is the job outlook in Ottawa?

Currently, there are more than 200 forestry jobs in Ontario, and you can check those job openings at Indeed. Glassdoor also has posted several vacancies for registered foresters. So, foresters in Ottawa, Ontario have a bright future.

How do I become a forester?

If you dream of becoming a forester, you should perform well in academic years. It is essential to secure high marks in

• Mathematics
• Biology
• Computer Science
• Outdoor Education
• Economics

Try to acquire an undergraduate degree, as it is the minimum academic requirement for aspiring foresters. Post-secondary students choosing to become foresters should join a program related to

• Forestry
• Ecology
• Environmental Science

Choose an accredited university to pursue your Bachelor's degree course in forestry. Although it is not compulsory, a Master’s degree will help you compete with other candidates. The Bachelor's degree course will cover 4 years, while the Master’s course will be for 2 years.

Try to gain some field-related experience for at least 2 years. It is essential if you want to register for particular forest manager certifications. Look for internship opportunities in government departments or environmental consulting agencies. Undergraduate candidates also can join an internship program. 

You can then decide on your specialization in the forestry sector. For instance, you may work as-

• Forest planner
• Ecologist
• Forest technician
• Forest industry researcher

Research these positions to identify the right one for your career development. Some candidates like to work outdoors as foresters. Choosing a particular role allows you to undergo relevant training. 

Foresters need to pass an exam to get established as a professional. Every province in Canada has a forestry authority. Learn about the requirements for becoming a licensed forester. After passing the exam, you will gain a certificate that you should show to your recruiter. For instance, if you are in Ottawa (Ontario), you should appear for the OPFA exam.

For OPFA registration, you have to fulfil some criteria. For instance, you must gain a degree from a CFAB-certified university. Proper documentation is also important for registration.

Where would I work?

Both private and public organizations hire foresters for different reasons. So, you can find a significant variation in the work location as a forester. Some foresters need to work outdoors, whereas others work in office settings. Foresters in the government sector inform legislation and different government policies. They also need to make forest registration plans while advising rehabilitation activities. However, some foresters face challenges and risks when they need to help with wildlife control.

How do I find a job?

You can browse the online job search portals to look for available job openings in the forestry sector. They will allow you the filter the search based on the preferred location (such as Ottawa in Canada).

You may create a professional profile on LinkedIn to let recruiters learn about your knowledge and skills.

Applying for a job

While writing the resume, you should reveal your certifications and other basic details. If you have already worked as a forester, you have to disclose your work experience. 

Before sending your application, you should know about the government agencies and companies that recruit foresters.

• Government- Managing public lands is the main duty of government foresters. They create silvicultural management strategies to produce timber. Moreover, they develop a proper plan for wildlife management and watersheds.
• Conservation- Foresters often need to work with conservation scientists to evaluate forestry in the country. Nonprofit organizations also employ foresters, as foresters are the habitats for wildlife. 
• Real estate- Many real estate companies look for foresters to deal with timber production essential for developmental projects. 

Where can this job lead?

With a forestry degree, you can work as a forester in the private or public sector. However, this degree allows you to apply for different types of jobs. For instance, you may work as a naturalist to help citizens appreciate the natural world. Some foresters like to work as wildland firefighters. They need to know the right tactics to create fire lines and aid the forest growth. Other career options for you are environmental scientists and park rangers.

As a forester, you should learn about relevant legal rules in the country. It will help you comply with harvesting and environmental regulations. So, gather more experience and move through your career path.

Foresters in Canada will have a rewarding career in the future. Due to global warming, deforestation, and natural disasters, the forestry sector is looking for experts. Pursuing your career as a forester will be prestigious. You need to protect biodiversity and ensure food security for future years.