Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Forestry Manager

🎯 Role Definition

A Forestry Manager is a strategic leader and steward of forest lands, responsible for the planning, supervision, and execution of all forestry-related activities. This pivotal role involves balancing economic objectives, such as timber production and revenue generation, with ecological goals like wildlife habitat conservation, water quality protection, and long-term forest health. You will be the primary driver of sustainable management practices, ensuring that our forest resources are productive and healthy for generations to come. This position requires a blend of field expertise, business acumen, and strong leadership to oversee complex operations, manage teams, and navigate regulatory landscapes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Forester or Senior Forester
Silviculturist
Procurement Forester
Recent graduate with an advanced degree (M.S. or M.F.) and relevant experience

Advancement To:

Regional Director of Forest Operations
Director of Land Management
Vice President of Resources
Chief Forester

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Compliance Manager
Land Acquisition Manager
Conservation Program Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continually update comprehensive long-range forest management plans to meet economic, ecological, and social objectives.
Oversee and direct all timber harvesting operations, from initial planning and sale layout to contract negotiation, administration, and performance monitoring.
Manage and schedule all silvicultural activities, including site preparation, tree planting/reforestation, vegetation control, pre-commercial thinning, and fertilization to optimize stand growth and health.
Ensure strict compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and company policies, including Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Develop, manage, and report on annual operating and capital budgets for all forestry activities, ensuring financial targets are met through cost control and revenue optimization.
Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of professional foresters, technicians, and administrative staff, fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and high performance.
Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS, remote sensing, and other advanced forestry technologies for mapping, inventory analysis, operational planning, and record-keeping.
Direct and oversee a robust forest inventory program to accurately assess timber volumes, growth, and yield, providing critical data for strategic decision-making.
Actively market and negotiate the sale of timber, pulpwood, and other forest products to maximize financial returns while adhering to sustainable harvest levels.
Administer and manage land-use programs, including hunting leases, recreational access agreements, and other special uses of company-owned land.
Lead and champion a comprehensive safety program for all employees and contractors, conducting regular safety meetings, incident investigations, and ensuring adherence to all safety protocols.
Monitor and manage forest health, including implementing strategies for insect and disease prevention, control, and salvage operations.
Oversee the planning, construction, and maintenance of the forest road network to ensure safe and efficient access for harvesting, silviculture, and fire protection.
Manage and maintain the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification programs, leading third-party audits and ensuring continuous compliance.
Direct and coordinate wildfire prevention, preparedness, and suppression activities in collaboration with local and state fire-control agencies.

Secondary Functions

Conduct boundary line maintenance and ensure property integrity against encroachment and trespass.
Represent the company and engage professionally with stakeholders, including adjacent landowners, government agencies, conservation groups, and the general public.
Prepare and present detailed operational, financial, and sustainability reports to senior management on a regular basis.
Evaluate, recommend, and implement new technologies, equipment, and methodologies to improve operational efficiency, safety, and data accuracy.
Identify and secure opportunities for participation in government cost-share programs or conservation easements that align with company objectives.
Assist in the evaluation of land acquisition and disposition opportunities to strategically enhance the company's land base.
Manage and track real estate tax payments and valuation appeals for the assigned land base.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Forest Management Planning: Expertise in developing and executing long-term, multi-faceted forest management and harvest plans.
GIS & Forestry Software: High proficiency with GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS), GPS technology, and forest modeling/inventory software (e.g., FVS, Esri Field Maps).
Timber Cruising & Biometrics: Deep understanding of forest inventory methodologies, statistical analysis, and growth-and-yield modeling.
Silviculture: In-depth knowledge of silvicultural systems and the ability to write and implement effective prescriptions for various forest types.
Harvest Operations Management: Experience in supervising all phases of timber harvesting, from road layout to log transportation and security.
Financial Acumen & Budgeting: Strong ability to develop and manage complex budgets, perform financial analysis (NPV, IRR), and understand timber market dynamics.
Contract Negotiation & Administration: Proven skill in negotiating and managing contracts with logging contractors, service providers, and consultants.
Regulatory Compliance: Thorough knowledge of environmental regulations, forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs), and sustainable certification standards (SFI/FSC).

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team of professionals and contractors to achieve ambitious goals.
Strategic Thinking: Capacity to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and align operational activities with long-term business strategy.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective reporting, stakeholder engagement, and team collaboration.
Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Strong analytical skills to resolve complex operational, logistical, and environmental challenges in a timely and effective manner.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, from conception to completion, on time and within budget.
Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Adept at negotiating favorable terms and resolving conflicts with contractors, landowners, and other stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Forestry (M.F.), or an MBA.
Professional certification such as Certified Forester (CF) or state-level Registered Forester status.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Forestry or Forest Management
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Science
Forest Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-15 years of progressively responsible experience in forestry operations.

Preferred:

At least 5 years of experience in a supervisory or management role, directly overseeing forestry staff and contractors.
Proven experience managing a large-scale land base (e.g., 100,000+ acres).
Direct experience with third-party sustainable forestry certification audits (SFI or FSC).
A demonstrated track record of managing operational budgets in excess of $1 million.