Forester

A Forester, also known as a Forest Officer or Professional Forester, plans and manages woodland areas and forests. They are responsible for forest maintenance, development and management through the planting and harvesting of timber.

Foresters carry out a range of supervisory and managerial tasks across all stages of development, from valuing and buying land through to harvesting timber.

Foresters are also involved in wildlife and environmental conservation and practise sustainable forestry. They work closely with landowners, local authorities, and other contractors and advisors

View live job opportunities What are green skills?

£22k – £34k

Salary range

Reforestation is a key solution to the climate crisis and therefore jobs in forestry are important.

Please note: the information in our job profiles aims to give a general overview of the role and a guideline to what it involves. The content is not intended to be exhaustive and roles will vary depending on the organisation and sector. The salary ranges are a guide only, as these are dependent on the size and location of the organisation.

How does this role align to the green agenda?

Trees play an important part in protecting our biodiversity and animal habitats, and can enhance our ecology. They are vital to our mental and physical well-being and support a low carbon economy by naturally absorbing and storing carbon.

Sustainable forest management is the responsibility of ensuring that woodland and forest areas are protected and sustained through the practical application of considered and careful forestry activities. It also involves enabling and addressing the correct social, environmental and economic balance for the future health and maintenance of the forest.

According to Nesta’s Green Jobs Explorer, 11.9% of the skills listed on the job adverts for this occupation are green skills.

Woman forester wearing a hard hat and holding a clipboard

Skills and capabilities

A wide variety of skills are needed as a Forester.

Technical knowledge

Physical strength and mobility to enable the use of tools and machinery such as chainsaws and sprayers
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of health and safety, tree protection laws and environmental issues
Conducting forest surveys and carrying out tree safety inspections
Tree harvesting, branch removal and preparing measured timber
Determining risks and protecting against forest fires, diseases and pests
First aid, fell operations, using equipment safely / tree surgery
Reporting and other tasks on a computer.

Learn more about upskilling

Transferable skills

Collaborating

– working with landowners, contractors, local authority and the public

Effective communication

– working with volunteers/landowners/local authority/contractors and building good relationships with employers

Decision making

– recruiting, supervising, and managing staff, contractors and forestry projects

Negotiating and conflict resolution

– ability to influence and remain calm when facing challenges

Planning and prioritising

– review resources, consider and manage set budgets

Problem reframing and resolution

Male forester measuring the width of a tree trunk

A day in the life of a Forester

Foresters typically work full time and may be required to work overtime or at weekends. Hours will often depend on the season. Part-time, contract and casual work is possible and sometimes the work can be more seasonal.

Foresters can spend their time between office and site, working outdoors and travelling some distances (a driving licence is required) throughout all seasons, and so it can be hard, physically. Much of their work will involve desk-based activities such as writing reports. You may need to take courses in certain areas such as first aid, fell operations, using equipment safely or tree surgery.

Entry routes

There are various routes to take into working in forestry. Organisations may have different qualifications and practical work experience requirements. Some may seek apprentices and others may look for a strong academic background or individuals who have completed relevant training. Practical experience and on-the-job training are necessities, and apprenticeships or volunteering for a woodland or wildlife charity are a great way to achieve these.

The list below shows some example routes into the profession, ranging from college courses, to apprenticeships, training, and degrees. View an up-to-date list of qualifications for Foresters on the Lantra website.

To note: in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, it will typically take three years to complete a full-time, undergraduate degree. In Scotland, it typically takes four years. Apprenticeship courses vary in length, and also require an end-point assessment period. Please check this information on a case-by-case basis.

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

Potential career progression

Promotional prospects can vary depending on the nature of the employer. It’s important to gain experience and complete relevant training in using different equipment.

Some roles that workers might be able to progress to include Forest and Woodland Management positions, or specialisms in certain areas, such as planning or technical development.

Those experienced in their field may decide to become self-employed and do contract work.

Achieving chartered status from the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is a good way to obtain the right skills and experience. There are two different routes to becoming a Chartered Forester through the institute.

Relevant sectors

Agriculture
Charity, including Environmental Charity
Construction and the built environment

Forester educating children in the woods

Learn about the green agenda across different sectors

View sector pages

Information kindly supplied by:

Lantra

Lantra is one of the leading awarding bodies for land-based industries in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

View website

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Forester

Reforestation is a key solution to the climate crisis and therefore jobs in forestry are important.

How does this role align to the green agenda?

Skills and capabilities

Technical knowledge

Transferable skills

A day in the life of a Forester

Entry routes

Potential career progression

Relevant sectors

Learn about the green agenda across different sectors

Success stories

Sadat Itohan Ihwughwavwe’s journey to environmental stewardship

Aydn Loffman went from waste administration to environmental agenda champion

Maddy Diment grew up on England’s south coast, which inspired her to work in sustainability from a young age

Fiona Quinlan-Wells: a decade of change

Richard Naylor’s career in furniture has taken him from sales to sustainability

Cathie Mackay on greening traditional jobs and the huge responsibility of speaking up on our planet’s behalf

Oluwaseun Johnson on the tangible, real-world rewards of sustainability volunteering

Carmel McQuaid on championing sustainability for one of Britain’s most beloved retail brands

A squiggly career led to a new perspective for Daniel Anderson

Mat Owen’s career change has taken him in a new sustainability direction

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Oluwaseun Johnson on the tangible, real-world rewards of sustainability volunteering 