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Agricultural Careers Consulting Forester. By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Trisha Rae Stephens Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005. Job Duties & Responsibilities. Appraise the value of clients’ land and timber
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Agricultural Careers Consulting Forester By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Trisha Rae Stephens Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005
Job Duties & Responsibilities • Appraise the value of clients’ land and timber • Prescribes burning procedures and fire protection • Advise on insect and disease control • Comply with environmental regulations, such as erosion and sedimentation control requirements and wetland regulations • Serve as expert witnesses on forest and property litigation problems • Represent clients in sales and other legal maters • Provides clients with total management of forest resources or on a task by task basic as contracted • Help clients improve their timber stands and maximize profits • Provides for wildlife management • Deals with forest regeneration and marketing of forest products • Evaluate the damage to timber caused by fire, wind, insect, or disease • Counsel on tax issues for all forestry purposes • Oversees all work done in the forest including reforestation, harvesting, etc.
Qualities and Skills • Able to perform outdoor related tasks • Able to work a 40 hour work week • Able to communicate both verbally and in writing • Able to walk for long periods of time • Should have interest in forestry, nature, conservation and the environment • Should be able to get along well with others and be welling to negotiate the best deal for their clients • Must make sound judgment • Must be patient and persevering
Salary Salaries for consulting foresters were in the $36,000 to $57,000 range in 2002, with a median salary of about $47,000. While those with bachelor's degrees may start out earning relatively low salaries, those with advanced degrees usually earn higher salaries. Nationally, the top ten percent earn more than $70,000.
Work Environment • The work setting is divided between office work and work in the forest • A work week is typically 40 hours • Surroundings could be wet, cold, or dirty • A forester is exposed to dangers associated with driving or walking through remote sites and animals in the forest
Becoming a Consulting Forester • Take courses in high school including sciences, math, business, speech/communications, English, and agriculture education classes related to forestry. • Spend time outdoors learning about nature and studying the environment • Produce your own timber stand to become aware of timber related issues • Participate in the FFA or 4-H Forestry Career Development Events
Career Resources Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. 732 North Washington Street, Suite 4-A Alexandria, Virginia 22314-1921 Internet: http://www.acf-foresters.com Society of American Foresters 5400 Grosvenor Lane Bethesda, MD 20814 Internet: http://www.safnet.org