YOUR CAREER AS A
GIS SPECIALIST
GIS specialists are an essential part of forest management. This is a fast-developing area using a range of new technology such as satellite and drone imagery, and sophisticated data analysis techniques. The role is often closely linked to operations management (e.g. forest establishment and harvest planning, helicopter spraying) and to field-based survey and tree measurement by specialist teams.
This is a field where new technologies and innovations are actively being developed all the time, so there is a lot of scope for extending your skills on the job.
SNAPSHOT INFO
Earning Potential
$55,000 – $80,000+
Qualification Required
Degree or diploma
Physically Demanding
Mainly office-based
Absence from home
Rarely
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
To become a forestry GIS specialist you will need a degree or diploma in forestry science, GIS or have good skills in GIS. Knowledge of forestry operations, statistics and data analysis techniques, and an interest in new data capture technologies will also be useful. You could occasionally be required to join the inventory team working in the forest, in which case you would need to be prepared to work outdoors and be physically fit.
SIMILAR JOBS
- Harvest planner
- Survey technician
- Inventory crew manager
CAREER PROGRESSION
A career in forestry survey planning/GIS could lead to more senior resource management, data analysis, or harvest planning roles in larger forestry companies.