YOUR CAREER AS A
SURVEY TECHNICIAN
Survey technicians assist forest managers and engineers with survey work and measurement of forest areas, trees and logs. This is sometimes called forest inventory.
Trees and forest areas are measured before and after silviculture work to gain information crucial for quality control and planning. Trees are also measured before harvesting to work out future yields and what type of logs will be produced.
SNAPSHOT INFO
Earning Potential
$50,000-$80,000
Qualification Required
No specific qualification required
Physically Demanding
Outdoor work
Absence from home
Varies with employer; likely
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
No specific qualifications are required but forest survey work is becoming highly technology-based, so an aptitude for hand-held, aerial (i.e. drones) and other technology is required, including GPS and GIS. Also an interest in data acquisition and processing, and good attention to detail. Technicians need to be physically fit, and enjoy spending time in the outdoors in all weathers and on all types of terrain. Specialist inventory crews can work all over the country, so significant travel and time away from home may be part of the package.
The work often involves using off-road vehicles to access sites, so 4WD driving experience is useful.
SIMILAR JOBS
CAREER PROGRESSION
Inventory technicians can progress to managing inventory crews. There is also the potential to become skilled in GIS and data analysis and take on more of an inventory planning role over time.