YOUR CAREER AS A
FORESTRY ENGINEER

Forest engineering is a hybrid of engineering, forestry and management. Forest engineers are a critical part of forest planning and particularly forest harvesting operations. The work involved includes:

• surveying
• road and forest infrastructure design
• harvesting equipment selection and installation
• environmental planning
• staff and contractor supervision
• working with harvest planners, harvest managers and forest managers.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

To become a forestry roading engineer you will generally need either:

• a degree in forest engineering from the University of Canterbury
• a similar qualification or experience from New Zealand or overseas.

Apart from an engineering background, skills needed include a good technical knowledge of forestry operations, and good environmental knowledge. Forestry engineers must have a 'can do' attitude, and mechanical and technical skills. Familiarity with relevant legislation such as the Resource Management Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act, and the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry is essential. 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

• Harvesting manager
• Forest manager
• Harvest planner

CAREER PROGRESSION

Forest engineers can progress quickly from junior to more senior roles. There is also the opportunity to transfer into other forest management or consultancy roles.