CAREER "SAMPLES"

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The career opportunities in forestry are many - these summaries represent a few:

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ADMINISTRATION (generally office based careers)

Computer Operator- inputs information about everything in the forest industry - may be in the office, in the forest environment (the woods) or in manufacturing (the mills/factories). The computer operator would require very good computer and communication skills.

Payroll Accountant - is in charge of looking after wages and special benefits for workers. This person would be good with numbers and would have computer skills.

Receptionist - is the person at the front desk - would greet visitors to the office, look after mail, book meeting rooms, photocopy information. The receptionist must enjoy working with people, must be organized and have computer skills.

Salesperson - would find customers all over the world to buy finished wood products. This person would have an outgoing personality, would have to be a "team player" and would need good communication skills.

Biologist - would work to analyze ecosystems in the forest. The biologist would be responsible for working with wildlife, plants and water. This worker would need to have good writing and oral communication skills as well as a strong background in forest ecosystems, wildlife and plant ecology.

Conservation Officer - works with wildlife organizations to make sure that laws are met to protect certain species of wildlife. This person would enjoy working outdoors, would need to know a lot of information about animals and would also spend some time working in an office.

Equipment Operators - would operate machinery in the woods. These workers would need a good understanding of how machinery works and many of them would require computer skills. They would also require a good knowledge of safety regulations.

Forest Manager - has the responsibility of working with specialists and with the public to manage the forest resources. Some of the work would be done in the forest and the rest of it would be office work. This person would need a good understanding of all aspects of the forest. He/She would also have to be comfortable working as a "team player".

Forester - studies the forest including forest health and may spend most of his/her time in the bush. This person would need to understand the forest and trees in particular. The job may include research work. The forester would need good communication skills, would have to be able to work alone in the field or to work as part of a team.

Firefighter - for the forest service, this person would work with firefighting crews to put out forest fires and to work as a team to see that fires do not spread. The firefighter would need to be physically fit, have a good knowledge of safety and be a good communicator.

Silviculturist - works either indoors or outside and is responsible for the growing, planting and looking after trees. This worker would be required to have a good knowledge of the science of trees, have good reporting and organizational skills.

Tree Planter - replants trees in the forest. This person would have to be a hard worker and physically fit, would likely have to be prepared to work away from home and perhaps would have to work in some difficult areas (steep slopes, rocky or difficult planting areas).

Chemical Engineer - in a pulp mill (a mill where they make paper), this worker would develop new ways of making better paper products.

Construction Supervisor - responsible for organizing new building projects. This person would need to have a good understanding of safety, would be required to work with teams of workers and would have to be able to manage tools and building materials.

Equipment Operators - would work with a variety of equipment in mills or factories - from a forklift driver to a computer operator. These workers would require a good knowledge of safety, be willing to work hard and be good decision makers.

Researcher - could work in the woodlands or the manufacturing part of forestry. These workers would be involved in science and technology. They would gather information from tests and would come up with new ideas for working methods or for equipment. The researcher would enjoy analyzing information, developing new theories and presenting them to industry people.

Production Supervisor - works in a mill or factory and is responsible for the safety of the workers, the quality of the product being produced in the mill or factory, the shipping of the product and the maintenance. This person must be able to work well with people. He/She should have good communication, computer, and problem solving skills.