Forest Engineer
Most of what forest engineers do is improving old roads and bridges, and ensuring that parts of national parks/forests are up to environmental standards and generally accessible to the public. Many forest engineers say that their job is problem solving, gathering data and drawing up plans in the office. They have to figure out how to approach problems in a sense that is environmentally sustainable, and cost effective. They are also in charge of designing infrastructure for access to timber, analyzing traffic and weather patterns to reduce damage to further infrastructure, and understanding the permitting process for the surrounding area.
A Day in the Job
When a new project is started, it is the job of a forest engineer to review the plans for the project, and ensure they are safe for the environment. Throughout their day, they have to figure out how their designs are going to interact with nature, and people in the park. Overall, a day in the life of a forest engineer is extremely versatile. Someone working as a forest engineer could be working on a small project like replacing pipes, or visiting a site where a structure was destroyed to see if they could replace it, or a large project like collaborating with the government or woods rights holders to build a new fire station within the national parks.
Work Takes Place
Skills
Career Categories
Protecting the Natural World Investigating the Environment Designing & Building Sustainably
Potential Employers
Federal agencies
State agencies
Private Forestry and Timber Companies
