1. Agricultural Careers Consulting Forester By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Trisha Rae Stephens Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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