Management/ Supervision

Managers who work in forest operations oversee a spectrum of different types of projects that manage forests. Managing projects could entail activities such as: supervision of crews, directing the production of heavy equipment, data measurement and evaluation, problem-solving and decision-making, planning safe work, contract administration, or accomplishing various construction assignments. These sought-after jobs offer rewarding careers in a production setting—often outdoors—where every week brings new challenges, achievement and satisfying results. Jobsites change, working conditions vary, the weather passes, new problems are solved, and projects are started & finished.

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Forest sector career pathways usually start in entry-level jobs to learn the trade, and progress to jobs having greater responsibilities, then becoming supervisors and managers. Careers begin by gaining on-the-job experience, training, and learning through performance in working different jobs. Skills and experience are often learned by working your way “up the ladder” in related jobs. Managerial performance is improved through continuing education classes, attaining trade certificates or commercial drivers’ license, supervising others, written handbooks or technical guides, and learning additional skills through work at different jobs. Education may also improve opportunities and career advancement into supervisory and managerial jobs—such as study in technology at high school, trade school or community college, or even a college degree.

BULLBUCK (Falling Supervisor)
Commonly called the “bullbuck,” the timber falling crew supervisor oversees the safe production of a several-person crew, which uses chainsaws to cut & fall trees, and then cut, or “buck,” them into desired log lengths. Work involves detailed falling prescriptions, precise tree falling, and optimized log manufacturing. Refer to the similar ‘Hooktender’ job description for further information.

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
The construction manager is a supervisor of forest road construction and/or road maintenance, who oversees the safe production of an 8-10 person crew, several machines, and trucks. The road crew is comprised of engineering technicians, forestry crew workers, and the heavy equipment operators who run machines engaged in road repairs, road building, stream-crossing construction, and maintenance of road surfaces, drainage & clearing. Manager directs construction methods, operations, machinery, materials, and workforce. Road building work involves locating and designing roads, surveying, staking, falling & clearing, grubbing stumps, earthwork excavation, rock shooting, end haul & wasting, sub-grade profile, drainage installation, final grading, rock surfacing, rock drilling, rock crushing, grading, seeding & erosion control, installing closure structures, and so forth. Road maintenance work on existing roads involves right-of-way clearing, maintenance grading, culvert cleaning, ditch grading & reconstruction, drainage repairs, culvert replacement, rock resurfacing, rock grading, seeding & erosion control, closure structure repairs, and so forth. Supervisor coordinates work plans and accomplishment with crew members, technicians, project manager, professional foresters/engineers, contract managers, timber purchaser, landowner, and others. Supervisor walks over rough terrain to oversee crew and machine operators, production, safety, equipment, engineering, and resource protection. Position works outdoors; must be in excellent physical condition; be a strong problem-solver, requires daily travel to jobsites. Supervisor drives vehicles on narrow mountain roads, during transportation of the road crew and tools to the forest jobsites. Communicates safe equipment movement instructions using several radios and hand signals. Requires special safety clothing, physical-fitness, and hiking the often steep forest terrain, climbing over downed trees, while carrying radios and instruments.

Prior Experience: Work as an engineering technician and other supervisor job; preferred on-job experience in forest road and engineering crew jobs, chainsaw use & service; written road engineering handbooks and training guides; supervisor training; on-the-job-training.

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CREW BOSS
Crew Boss (Forestry Crew Supervisor) Commonly called the “crew boss,” the forestry crew supervisor oversees the safe production of a 5 to 20-person team that performs a variety of assignments that maintain and protect healthy young forests as they grow, including: tree planting, firefighting, slash piling, prescribed burning, pre-commercial thinning, seedling care, cone collection, tree release, vegetation control, and stream or habitat enhancement. Crews may also provide disaster response and relief services for incidents, such as wildfires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, or search & recovery. Boss directs forestry methods, operations, tools, materials, and workforce. Crews are assembled and trained to accomplish particular assignments, which may change often throughout the year—crew may work on many different types of tasks during a single year. Work demands multi-tasking to direct & train crew, plan work, balance labor & tools, crew transportation, scheduling, equipment repair, ensure safe procedures, and production. Modern technology used may include: GPS locations & mapping, field date recording, detailed treatment prescriptions, radio communication, hi-tech instruments, specialized handling of genetically-improved seedlings, prescribed burning of forest fuels, backfiring for fire suppression, state-of-the art fertilizers, repellents & release chemicals, improved purpose-built tools & saws, and current safety gear. Supervisor coordinates work plans and accomplishment with crew members, technicians, project manager, forester professionals, contract managers, landowner, and others. Supervisor walks over rough terrain to oversee crew performance, production, safety, equipment, engineering, and resource protection. Position works outdoors; must be in excellent physical condition; be a strong problem-solver, requires daily travel to jobsites. Supervisor drives vehicles on narrow mountain roads, during transportation of the logging crew and tools to the forest jobsites. Communicates safe and equipment log movement instructions using radios and hand signals. Requires special safety clothing, physical-fitness, endurance, and hiking the often steep forest terrain, climbing over downed trees, while carrying radios and tools.

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Prior Experience: Work on a forestry or logging crew, and other supervisor job; preferred on-job experience in other forestry jobs, chainsaw use & service; written handbooks and training guides; supervisor training; on-the-job-training.

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ENGINE BOSS
Commonly called the “engine boss,” the fire engine-water supervisor oversees the safe operation and mobilization of two or more “fire engines” or “water tender” trucks, which are heavy vehicles equipped with a large water tank and pumps—intended for delivering and pumping water at forest jobsites. The fire engine is designed to carry a full compliment of supplies for forest firefighting and forestry projects, such as water, pumps, hose, tools, water tanks, safety supplies and food. The water tender is a larger truck with a large water tank designed to deliver greater water volumes for either forest road construction, road maintenance or firefighting. Boss directs water-use methods, operations, trucks & pumps, materials, and workforce. The fire engines may be under or over 26,000 lb gross vehicle weight; while the tender truck is over this weight and requires a Commercial Drivers License. Truck travels on both highways and on unpaved, narrow, winding, steep forest roads. Commonly, each engine or tender has 2-person crew—a driver and a forestry crew person to assist with operations at the jobsite.

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FOREST MANAGER
Commonly called the “tree farm manager,” the forest manager oversees the full administration of a forest property, including operations surrounding: road access, forest growth & health, harvest, reforest, natural resources, protection, firefighting, recreation, special uses, and business matters. Forest manager may direct several supervisors, multiple operations, crews or jobsites. Forest manager directs the safe production of a team of supervisors that perform other specific assignments involving forest management projects (refer to the different manager job descriptions). Manager directs the work methods, personnel, production, scheduling, logistics, safety, operations, fleet, and materials. Supervisors are assembled and trained to accomplish particular assignments, which may change often throughout the year. Work demands multi-tasking to direct & train personnel, plan work, balance labor & tools, transportation, scheduling, equipment repair, ensure safe procedures, and optimize production. Modern technology and methods are effectively utilized. Manager coordinates work plans and accomplishment with landowner, forester professionals, supervisors, contract managers, and others. As a forest manager, the position still works outdoors some days to oversee the progress of other managers, to meet forest management plan objectives. Position may work outdoors; be in good physical condition; and requires travel to jobsites.

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HOOK TENDER
Commonly called the “hooktender,” the logging crew supervisor oversees the safe production of an 8-10 person crew & several machines. A single logging crew cuts and brings whole trees or logs from the stump to the roadside landing—often on steep hills and long distances. After whole trees are processed into desired log products, they are sorted and loaded onto log trucks. Work involves prescribed layouts, precise tree falling and log manufacturing, complex tree skidding, technical rigging, purpose-built technology, and heavy equipment. Hooktender directs logging methods, operations, machinery, materials, and workforce. Supervisor coordinates work plans and accomplishment with crew members, technicians, project manager, professional foresters, contract managers, timber purchaser, landowner, and others. Supervisor walks over rough terrain to oversee crew and machine operators, production, safety, equipment, engineering, and resource protection. Position works outdoors; must be in excellent physical condition; be a strong problem-solver, requires daily travel to jobsites. Supervisor drives vehicles on narrow mountain roads, during transportation of the logging crew and tools to the forest jobsites. Communicates safe equipment and log movement instructions using several radios and hand signals. Requires special safety clothing, physical-fitness, endurance, and hiking the often steep forest terrain, climbing over downed trees, while carrying radios and heavy cable rigging.

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Prior Experience: Work as rigging slinger and other supervisor job; preferred on-job experience in other logging and forestry crew jobs, chainsaw use & service; written cable rigging handbooks and training guides; supervisor training; on-the-job-training.