What skills does a forest worker need?

A forest worker needs 25 essential skills including sustainable forest management, pollution prevention, reforestation, control tree diseases, perform pest control. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace forest worker jobs?

The AI disruption score for forest worker is 10/100 (very low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Agriculture & EnvironmentAgricultural, forestry and fishery labourersISCO 9215

forest worker

Forest workers carry out a variety of jobs to care for and manage trees, woodland areas and forests. Their activities include planting, trimming, thinning and felling trees and protecting them from pests, diseases and damage.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

sustainable forest managementsustainable forest managementThe stewardship and use of forest lands in a way and at a rate that maintains their productivity, biodiversity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil now and in the future rele...pollution preventionpollution preventionThe processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.reforestationreforestationMethods for the recovery of deforested areas to reverse the destruction of forests and regreen an important number of hectares. Strategies as planting new trees, protecting ecosystems from destruction...control tree diseasescontrol tree diseasesIdentify diseased or undesirable trees. Remove them using power saws or hand saws.perform pest controlperform pest controlCarry out crop spraying pest and disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements. Carry out slurry and fertiliser spreading in accordance with local environmental regulatio...work independently in forestry serviceswork independently in forestry servicesPerform tasks individually in forestry services by taking decisions without help. Handle tasks and tackle with issues or problems without any outside assistance.perform tree thinningperform tree thinningRemoving some trees from a stand in order to improve tree health, timber value and production.maintain the trailsmaintain the trailsCheck trails and clear away brush from trails and roads when necessary. Inspect campsites and prepare the area for visitors.build fencesbuild fencesPut up fences using a pothole digger, shovel, tamper, and other manual tools.plant green plantsplant green plantsPlant seeds manually or by using ground equipment.carry out aerial tree riggingcarry out aerial tree riggingUndertake aerial tree rigging to safely remove lower tree sections using suitable cuts, minimising shock loading in the rigging systems. Take into account the expected load and the positions of the gr...maintain forestry equipmentmaintain forestry equipmentCheck forestry equipment to make sure that it is in working order.perform weed control operationsperform weed control operationsCarry out crop spraying for weeds and plant disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements.put up signsput up signsPut up signs using a posthole digger, shovel, tamper, and other manual tools.spray pesticidesspray pesticidesSpray pesticide solutions to keep insects, fungus, weed growth, and diseases under control.plant treesplant treesTransplant and plant trees or tree seeds in woodland areas and forests.safeguard biodiversitysafeguard biodiversityProtect biodiversity among animals, plants and microorganism by adopting environmentally sustainable actions such as maintaining natural habitats and preserving nature.act with a high level of safety awarenessact with a high level of safety awarenessEnsure high levels of safety awareness; use personal protection equipment; communicate with staff members and provide advice on health and safety issues.execute disease and pest control activitiesexecute disease and pest control activitiesExecute disease and pest control activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the climate, plant or crop type, health and safety and environmental regulations. Store and han...nurse treesnurse treesPlant, fertilise and trim trees, shrubs and hedges. Examine trees to assess their condition and determine treatment. Work to eradicate insects, fungus and diseases which are harmful to trees, assist w...assist tree identificationassist tree identificationAssist in the development and improvement of techniques for measuring and identifying trees. Obtain and use various sources of information to accurately identify and name trees, use tree characteristi...climb treesclimb treesAscend and descend from trees in a safely manner.assist forest survey crewassist forest survey crewHold measuring tape and survey rods. Carry and stakes and set them. Clear vegetation from sighting line. Assist forest survey crew in related tasks.manage forest firesmanage forest firesProtect life, property and resources by preventing forest fires. Detect, control, restrict and suppress fires when they occur. Integrate knowledge of fire regimes, the effects of fire and the values a...operate forestry equipmentoperate forestry equipmentOperate various forest instruments such as skidders, bulldozers to pull scarification or site preparation equipment over forest areas to be regenerated.

Optional (10)

habitat restorationhabitat restorationThe process of repairing and rehabilitating areas that suffered habitat destruction, alteration of seafloor or the threat of extinction of some animal and plant species. Habitat restoration also invol...animal huntinganimal huntingThe techniques, procedures and legislations concerning the hunting of animals such as wildlife and birds for the purpose of gaining food and animal products, recreation, trade and wildlife management.agroforestryagroforestryThe application of land management systems and technologies that integrate trees and other woody perennials with traditional cropland farming in order to sustain agricultural production while ensuring...develop forestry strategiesdevelop forestry strategiesBuild up forestry policies in order to enhance their sustainable management and to improve communication linked to forestry operations. These plans are meant to tackle issues regarding correlated envi...maintain camping facilitiesmaintain camping facilitiesKeep campsites or areas for recreation, including maintenance and supply selection.adapt to changes in forestryadapt to changes in forestryReadjust to constant changes in work environments for forestry operations. These mostly affect working hours and conditions.handle forest productshandle forest productsGather, package, and deliver forest products to buyers.make decisions regarding forestry managementmake decisions regarding forestry managementDecide on issues regarding various aspects concerning the management of natural resources such as forests and woodland areas.report pollution incidentsreport pollution incidentsWhen an incident causes pollution, examine the extent of the damage and what the consequences could be and report it relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.pay attention to safety while performing forestry operationspay attention to safety while performing forestry operationsAccomplish forestry related tasks by paying attention to small details which can contribute to a safer work environment.