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Foresters

TRENDS

CITY FORESTERS. Although it may sound like a contradiction of terms, 
Foresters really do work in urban areas.  In fact, urban forestry is 
becoming a recognized science as more and more cities begin to realize the
value of protecting and managing trees on their streets, in their yards, 
parks, and in rapidly dwindling wooded areas.


COMMUNITY FORESTERS.

Increasing urbanization and land development are dramatically affecting 
land use in California and influencing the size, location, and quality of 
our natural areas.  Community Foresters specialize in managing trees at the
"interface", which is the area between traditional
wildland areas and inner city urban forests.


BACKGROUND

The history of modern forestry in the United States began in 1898 when 
Gifford Pinchot, America's first professional Forester, was appointed as 
the head of the federal forestry division.  Recognizing that a forest can
provide a number of products and services, he advocated managing forests 
for a constant and sufficient supply of natural resources.  This policy 
later became known as the "multiple use policy" and was reflected in the
Multiple Use Act of 1960 which directed that our National Forests be 
managed for "timber, watershed, range, outdoor recreation and wildlife and
fish purposes."

The Forestry profession, following this multiple use policy, has 
traditionally managed and protected our forest and wildlife resources to
meet the need for wood products, protect water quality, and preserve 
recreational areas.  Today's Foresters, however, now face managing forest
resources in the light of growing, and sometimes hotly debated, 
environmental concerns, including issues of old growth forests, 
clear-cutting and spotted owls.  Many of them now advocate placing greater 
emphasis on protecting wildlife and diversity in forests.  In fact, in the 
Spring of 1993, a Society of American Foresters task force recommended 
adopting an ecosystem approach to sustaining long term productivity and 
forest health for all forest values.


THE JOB

A forest is more than a collection of trees; it is a composite of the soil, 
trees and plants, wildlife, and streams.  The Humboldt State University 
Forestry Department poetically describes the forest as "a place where 
people earn their living, retreat for recreation, where fish and wildlife 
find a home, and the water supply of our nation is stored and purified."

Forests are not only in the country, they are also found in our suburbs and
cities.  The field of forestry includes the study and administration of all
the elements of the forest ecosystem, including people.  Foresters are 
environmental scientists who are committed to getting the greatest good 
from our forests for the largest number of people. 

Foresters are employed by the U.S. Forest Service, State and other 
government entities, timberland companies and wood products industries.  
Many foresters are self-employed.  They can choose from a variety of 
careers including:  

     Forest Management - The forest manager's job is to administer all the 
                         forest resources for continued production of goods
                         and services.  Duties include protecting the forest
                         from fire, insects and disease, planning and 
                         overseeing recreation, planning and supervising
                         timber sales from harvested areas, and, when 
                         necessary, dealing with citizens and politicians.

     Urban Foresters   - City dwellers need trees for both practical and
                         aesthetic reasons.  The management of trees in this
                         unique forest environment presents a different set 
                         of problems for Foresters.  Urban foresters may 
                         work for municipalities in planning departments,
                         parks departments or elsewhere in city government.

     Resource Recreation Management - Foresters in this field manage wooded
                         lands to meet the needs of increasing numbers of 
                         outdoor enthusiasts seeking the peace and quiet of
                         natural areas.

     Wildlife Management - With the heightened concern for wildlife, and
                         other environmental issues, an increasing number 
                         of employers look for foresters with this 
                         specialization to help devise multiple-use plans
                         for forests.

     Forest Products Industries - Those who choose this specialty can work
                         in production, sales and technical services; in 
                         pulp and paper technology; or develop new 
                         techniques for wood and residue use.

There are many more career opportunities in this field including 
possibilities in international forestry, and in the Peace Corps.  The 
Society of American Foresters lists over 700 job categories and nearly 
14,000 separate employers among its members.


WORKING CONDITIONS

If you are interested in working in this field you probably love working in 
the great outdoors!  In reality, though, Foresters may spend a lot of time 
indoors.  They work in laboratories, offices, parks, Christmas tree farms, 
nurseries, sawmills, manufacturing plants, classrooms, and even in 
legislative halls.  Most Foresters, however, do get to spend a lot of their
time "in the woods", especially during the first years of their career.  
They work outside in all seasons and weather conditions and are often 
exposed to hazards such as smoke, poison oak, and insects.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

According to the Society of American Foresters, more than half of 
professional Foresters work for government.  About 25 percent are 
employed by the wood products industry with the rest working in teaching, 
consulting or related fields.  Since the beginning of environmental 
awareness in the late 1960s, nature-related jobs have grown in popularity.
With increased student interest in forestry and restricted federal and 
State budgets, competition for entry level jobs is stiff.  Those taking
specialized classes such as communications and computers will have an 
advantage.

The following information is from the California Projections and Planning
Information report published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993            2,010
Estimated number of workers in 2005            2,430
Projected Growth 1993-2005                       21%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005    780

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Most graduates entering Federal Service as Foresters start at $19,700 or 
$23,700 a year depending on academic achievement.  The average Federal 
salary for Foresters is around $39,500 a year.  The entry level pay for 
Forester I with California Department of Forestry (CDF) starts at $3,892 
per month and can range to $4,730.  A Forester II can earn between $4,280 
to $5,190 monthly.  The monthly salary for a Forester III begins at $4,700 
and can go as high as $5,720.  Entry level Forester positions annual 
salaries in the private sector generally start between $22,000 and $25,000.

Employers provide full-time employees with a comprehensive fringe benefit 
package of paid vacations and holidays, sick leave, retirement programs, 
and disability benefits. 


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The minimum educational requirement for most entry level professional 
positions is a BS in forestry or a closely related major.  Foresters who 
manage a private forestland must be licensed in the State of California.  
The Forester License is also required for many higher level forestry jobs,
and CDF requires it to qualify for the Forester II position.  Licensing 
requires an examination, plus a bachelor's degree in forestry and three 
years of experience under the direction of a licensed forester, or four 
years of forestry work, plus three years under a licensed Forester. 

High school students interested in this field need to take college 
preparatory classes with an emphasis on math, science, and English.  The 
University of California at Berkeley, Humboldt State University and 
California State Polytechnic College at San Luis Obispo offer undergraduate
programs.  Humboldt offers a Master program.  U.C. Berkeley has Master and 
Ph.D. forestry programs.


ADVANCEMENT

After advancement from trainee to licensed Forester, promotion is to 
supervisory positions.  Promotions in public agencies are competitive and 
follow civil service procedures.


FINDING THE JOB

Part-time or seasonal employment with the United States Department of 
Agriculture Forest Service or CDF may lead to full-time employment.  Job 
seekers interested in seasonal work should contact the U.S. Forest Service,
Pacific Southwest Region, Regional office and the CDF Personnel Office.  
Employers recruiting professional Foresters hire directly through the 
college placement offices.  Other resources include environmental 
publications and newsletters.  Applicants may also find job leads through
their local California Employment Development Department Job Service 
offices.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

California Department of Forestry
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-8007
http://www.fire.ca.gov

Society of American Foresters
5400 Grosvenor Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814-8720
(301) 897-8720
http://www.safnet.org

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region
630 Sansome Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
http://www.fs.fed.us/


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Park Rangers                          No. 232
Firefighters                          No. 241
Horticulturists                       No. 396


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Forester                          040.167.010

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Foresters, Conservation Scientists     243020


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.