Forestry Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Forestry Workers assist with cultivating, maintaining and protecting forests.
Specialisations: Fire Lookout, Forestry Tree Pruner, Tree Planter.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Forestry Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in forestry (growing and management), horticulture or another related field.
Tasks
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Maintains forest roads, buildings, facilities, signs and equipment.
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Kills weeds, fells and de-barks non-productive trees and thins young plantations.
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Collect seeds, and cultivates and plants seedlings for reforestation purposes.
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Applies fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides to individual trees and general forest areas.
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Maintains look-out for fires in forests.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
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Heavy
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Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Forestry and Logging Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 65% of people employed as Forestry Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is similar to the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Forestry Workers work in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Forestry Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 18.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 29.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 15.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 11.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 11.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 80% of Forestry Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Latrobe - Gippsland
- South Australia - South East
- Wide Bay
- Launceston and North East
- Warrnambool and South West.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Forestry Workers is 34 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 14% of the workforce. This is 34 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Forestry Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 9.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 19.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 21.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 16.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 16.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 34 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Forestry Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in forestry (growing and management), horticulture or another related field.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Forest and Wood Products Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Forestry Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 9.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 23.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 23.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 9.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 26.6 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Forestry and Logging Workers who are reliable, hardworking and physically fit.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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37%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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37%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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37%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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34%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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72%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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70%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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63%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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54%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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54%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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53%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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53%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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53%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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52%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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51%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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50%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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50%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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48%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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47%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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41%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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38%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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32%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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30%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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30%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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28%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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54%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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54%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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54%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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45%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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84%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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79%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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77%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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73%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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71%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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71%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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69%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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68%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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67%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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66%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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65%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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64%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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63%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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62%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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61%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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58%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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57%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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56%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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53%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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42%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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43%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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57%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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40%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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95%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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95%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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94%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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90%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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89%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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87%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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85%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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84%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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83%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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82%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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82%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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82%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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82%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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74%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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74%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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73%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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73%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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70%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 45-4011.00 - Forest and Conservation Workers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.