Forest officer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

A forest officer may have progressed from a working role in the woodland into this more managerial position. Where several woodlands are owned, or managed, a forest officer may be responsible for each individual woodland, with a head forester overseeing the work in all of the woodlands.

Working in private woodland or for the Forestry Commission will often require a wider range of skills and knowledge including land management skills. The forest officer will also usually have to control a budget and follow a business plan developed for the sites they manage. They will be answerable in the first instance to the head forester, who will oversee the forestry work on a number of different locations.

Their main tasks may include planning the work to be carried out by staff and contractors, managing the maintenance of machinery and equipment, maintaining records of work and ensuring that heath and safety policies are observed.

They will also be required to survey and inspect trees and sites, selecting and marking up timber to be harvested as well as planning, monitoring and evaluating habitat management work.

Forest officers are also known as foresters, forest managers, woodland managers and assistant head foresters.

Hours

This can be physically hard, demanding work and individuals should be fit and able to perform physical labour outdoors. Forest officers need to be prepared to work outdoors in all weathers.

Whilst certainly some of the time will be spent office based, forest officers typically work a standard full-time week. However, the hours may vary and weekend or Bank Holiday work can be required.

It is potentially hazardous work, requiring the use of power tools and heavy machinery. Protective clothing may need to be worn for certain tasks.

Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites. A driving licence may be required. Occasional periods may be spent working away from home.

Income

Salaries can range from around £19,000 to around £30,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

Individuals entering at this level will have significant experience in forestry and will usually have completed a higher level qualification in forestry or related subjects. They may also have completed the relevant certificates of competence for their work area. These might include chainsaw use, chipper use and operation of specialist equipment such as a forwarder or harvester.

Training and development

As a forest officer, progression will depend upon the type of organisation that you work for. Forest officers may seek to become head foresters, forestry consultants or move into a forestry contracting role.

For higher-level posts, you may need full membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF). As a member you will have access to opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD). See the ICF website for details.

When you have at least two years' experience, you may be able to achieve chartered status by taking the ICF exams. You could also complete training through Forestry Training Services, the training division of the Forestry Commission.

If you want to develop your career at a higher level you could complete a postgraduate course in forestry (MSc, MPhil or PhD).

Skills and knowledge

To be a forest officer you should have:

• an interest in environmental and conservation issues
• practical skills
• the ability to supervise others, and work as part of a team
• the ability and confidence to manage long-term projects
• strong written and spoken communication skills
• a good standard of maths
• working knowledge of IT.

More information

Lantra
Lantra House
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
www.lantra.co.uk

Royal Forestry Society (RFS)
www.rfs.org.uk

Forestry Commission
www.forestry.gov.uk

Institute of Chartered Foresters
59 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2JG
Tel: 0131 240 1425
www.charteredforesters.org

BTCV
Sedum House
Mallard Way
Potteric Carr
Doncaster
DNL 8DB
Tel: 01302 388883
www.btcv.org.uk

The Arboricultural Association
Ullenwood Court
Ullenwood
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL53 9QS
Tel 01242 522152
www.trees.org.uk

Opportunities

You could find vacancies with the Forestry Commission or with private forestry companies, consultants and contractors, estates, charities, some statutory bodies and local authorities.

Most jobs are in rural areas in Scotland, Wales and northern England. Competition is strong.

Self-employment is common, and some forest managers also act as contractors, taking on forest workers to complete contracted work.

As a graduate, you could find research opportunities with universities and the Forestry Commission. With experience you may be able to move into consultancy work.

In the Forestry Commission you could have good prospects for promotion if you have experience across a broad range of work activities. In the private sector your prospects would vary depending on the size of the organisation.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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