YOUR CAREER AS A
FOREST MANAGER (FORESTER)
Forest managers carry out a wide range of work from planning and directing new forest developments, to managing forestry operations. This work can include:
- monitoring forest growth and health
- care of the forest environment
- supervising staff and contractors
- financial and business management
- sales negotiations
- managing health and safety
- forest security and fire prevention.
In some cases, forest managers will also be responsible for planning and overseeing harvesting.
SNAPSHOT INFO
Earning Potential
$55,000 – $150,000
Qualification Required
Diploma or Degree
Physically Demanding
Mix of office and on-site
Absence from home
Varies with employer
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
To become a forest manager you will generally need either:
- a diploma in forest management from Toi Ohomai
- a degree in forestry science or forest engineering from the University of Canterbury
- a forestry degree or management experience in New Zealand or overseas.
Skills include a good technical knowledge of managing forests and forestry operations, a knowledge of relevant legal requirements such as the Resource Management Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act, and the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry. Good communication, analytical and presentation skills are also important.
There is a mix of office and on-site activities, so a driver's licence is also needed.
SIMILAR JOBS
CAREER PROGRESSION
Forest managers can progress from junior to senior management roles fairly quickly, and have the opportunity to move between large and small forest owners or between other management roles to gain more experience.