Plantation forestry is a strongly growing and sustainable component of South Australia’s economy employing about 9,000 people. Australia-wide, forest-based industries employ about 100,000 people.

Employment opportunities within South Australia's forest growing sector can be grouped into general and professional.

General (eg. Forest Maintenance Worker, Log Measurer, Forest Technician, Clerical Officer)

These positions generally require no pre-requisite industry qualifications, although some previous industry work experience and/or a demonstrated competence in the use of specialised equipment, are viewed favourably. Training for these positions is provided on the job.

Professional (eg. Forester, Forest Ranger, Researcher)

Professional employment requires a certificate or degree from a College or University. Many companies look for tertiary qualifications and other criteria which provide eligibility for membership of a professional
association.

Some examples of forest growing and management jobs

Forest Maintenance Workers

Forest Maintenance Workers carry out the general duties associated with forest establishment, maintenance, tending and protection of forests. The work calls for the operation of a wide range of machinery and vehicles, as well as manual work needed in many forestry operations. Duties include: plant control, preparing sites for planting, nursery work, tree planting, applying herbicides and fertilisers, pruning trees, fire fighting, maintenance, tree selection for harvesting and log measurement.

Forestry Technicians

Forestry Technicians are responsible for data collection used in the management of the forest resource. Duties include: setting up field trials and experiments, collecting and preliminary processing of data from trials and experiments, measuring trees for the forest data inventory, fire control duties, monitoring pest and disease outbreaks, supervision of other technicians and forest workers. Entry requirements to these positions generally require a minimum of four years secondary education with some science and mathematics units. Further study can be undertaken at certain tertiary institutions.

Foresters

Foresters establish and manage forests to ensure a continuing supply of forest products. Duties include: formulating forest working plans, conducting research, developing and managing forest fire control, organising and controlling harvest operations, ensuring that forest management is sustainable, advising government and private owners on forest policy and practice, management and supervision of staff. A university degree in forestry (or equivalent) is required.

Forest Rangers

Forest Rangers assist in the management of forest reserves, both plantation and native forest lands. A university degree in forestry or natural resource management (or equivalent) is desireable. Duties include: managing recreational activities in forests, conducting law enforcement, providing education and information about forestry to the public, organising and controlling recreation facility construction and maintenance, protection and rehabilitation of native forests.

Some Education and Training Providers

• Australian National University, School of Resources, Environment and Society 
• University of Melbourne, School of Forest and Ecosystem Science
• Southern Cross University, School of Environmental Science and Management
• University of Adelaide, Faculty of Science
• University of South Australia, School of Natural and Built Environments
• Logging Investigation and Training Association, Wireless Rd West, Mount Gambier 5290, ph. (08) 8735 1474