Forest officer
Career outlook for forest officer
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£35,880
Currently employed in Scotland
1,600
Average UK salary
£35,880
Currently employed in Scotland
1,600
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would look after an area of forest to produce timber and conserve the woodland environment.
You’d plan the planting and harvesting activities in the forest. You’d lead a team of forestry workers and supervise their work.
It will be your responsibility to make sure that the trees in the forest are healthy and free from disease so the timber can be harvested.
Your work would help to conserve the woodland environment so that other plants and wildlife can flourish. You’d also manage the facilities, like paths and signposts to help visitors enjoy the environment.
You would:
- Survey and inspect trees and sites
- Select and mark up timber to be harvested
- Plan, monitor and evaluate habitat management
- Manage the maintenance of machinery and equipment
- Maintain records of work
- Ensure that heath and safety policies are followed
You’d follow the business plan for your area of woodland and manage the budget so you’d need project management skills.
Depending where you work you may manage an individual site and report to a head forester who oversees work in several woodlands.
You might also require land management skills.
Working conditions
Hours
Travel
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
41%
Part-time
26%
Self employed
33%
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Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Delegating
- Taking responsibility
- Taking initiative
- Implementing ideas
- Developing a plan
- Attention to detail
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Cooperating
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Qualifications
Entry into this work requires a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in:
- Forestry
- Arboriculture
- Countryside management
- Forest management
- Environmental conservation management
To enter a Higher National Certificate courses require one to two Highers (SCQF level 6), and work experience is required for some courses.
Qualifications are also available at degree level and require a relevant HND or Nationals plus four to five Highers.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- A science subject
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show an interest and understanding of the natural environment such as Skills for Work Rural Skills (SCQF 4) or the John Muir Award.