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Forestry Summer Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

MLee Medical Employment

Acute Physical Therapist

Avilla, IN · On-site

$1.3K - $1.7K/wk

... of forest that feel worlds away from city noise. The city's green space is abundant-and it's not ... Catch a minor league baseball game on a summer night, or spend a Sunday at the Avilla Museum of Art ...

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Forestry Summer information

What is the difference between Forestry Summer vs Forestry Technician?

AspectForestry SummerForestry Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; often no formal certification requiredAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in forestry or related field; certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentSeasonal outdoor work, often in forests or parksSimilar outdoor settings, with more responsibility and technical tasks
Employer & Industry UsageTypically hired by forestry departments, parks, or conservation agencies for summer projectsEmployed by government agencies, private forestry companies, or environmental organizations

Forestry Summer roles are seasonal positions suitable for students or entry-level workers gaining outdoor experience. Forestry Technicians often have more formal education and perform more technical tasks, supporting forestry management and conservation efforts throughout the year.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for a forestry summer?

In a Forestry Summer role, daily responsibilities often include conducting field surveys, measuring tree growth, collecting soil or plant samples, and assisting with forest health assessments. You may also work on trail maintenance, invasive species removal, or support reforestation projects. Collaboration with a team of forestry professionals and other summer interns is common, and tasks can vary depending on current projects and weather conditions. This hands-on experience is valuable for building practical forestry skills and networking within the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forestry summer worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forestry Summer worker, you need a basic understanding of forestry practices, physical fitness, and often a high school diploma or enrollment in a related degree program. Familiarity with GPS devices, chainsaws, and data collection tools is typically required, along with safety certifications like first aid or CPR. Strong teamwork, communication skills, and adaptability in outdoor environments make a candidate stand out. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure safe, effective fieldwork and successful collaboration on conservation or resource management projects.

What is a forestry summer?

Forestry Summer jobs are temporary positions, typically available during the summer months, that focus on forest management, conservation, and fieldwork. These jobs often involve tasks such as tree planting, trail maintenance, data collection on forest health, wildfire prevention, and assisting with research projects. They are popular among students and individuals seeking hands-on experience in forestry, environmental science, or natural resource management. These roles provide valuable practical skills and exposure to outdoor work environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Forestry jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Forestry jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Forestry Summer jobs in Indiana? For Forestry Summer jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Forestry Summer jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Forestry Summer jobs in Indiana are:
Forestry Summer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forestry Summer job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 41% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Heavy Equipment Operator II - Arborist

City of Elkhart

Elkhart, IN • On-site

$28.11/hr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

City Of Elkhart (Indiana) rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

344th of 844 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

CITY OF ELKHART - JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT
Buildings & Grounds
POSITION
Heavy Equipment Operator II - Arborist
DIVISION
Forestry
STATUS
Full-time
CATEGORY
Hourly, AFSCME
PG-8 ($28.11)
FLSA
Non-exempt
REPORTS TO
City Forester and/or Public Buildings & Grounds Department Head
DATE
2026
JOB SUMMARY
The overall purpose of this position is to assist in the removal, planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs and plants with specialized skills, experience and/or knowledge in the field of arboriculture.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • May supervise at work site.
  • Operates various forestry equipment including: aerial lift, front-end loader, wood chipper, stump grinder, chain saws, hand saws, pruners, pole pruners and saws, and other forestry related equipment.
  • Removes and trims trees and vegetation within the right-of-way.
  • Uses ropes and rigging equipment to remove and trim trees.
  • Transplants trees, shrubs and other plant material.
  • Operates equipment to maintain and transplant trees from City tree nursery.
  • Directs traffic at job site.
  • Loads dump trucks with logs, limbs, wood chips, mulch and debris at job site.
  • Must be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to remove fallen trees and limbs from street and property in emergency situations.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • May be assigned to plow snow.
  • Maintain equipment and tools.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by City Forester and/or Public Buildings & Grounds Department Head.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • High school education, GED or equivalent.
  • Minimum 3-5 years' experience in arboriculture field or heavy equipment operations.
  • Knowledge of using proper pruning and felling techniques as related to urban forestry work.
  • Must be able to identify common trees and shrubs for inventory and work orders.
  • Commercial Driver's License according to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
  • International Society of Arboriculture Arborist's Certification preferred.
  • Experience with high voltage electrical power lines preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to guide people and provide basic directions.
  • Ability to select and order materials, tools and other supplies.
  • Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions and practices used in the tree care industry.
  • Knowledge of high voltage electrical power lines.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL SKILLS
  • Solve practical problems with a variety of variables and limited standardization.
  • Ability to perform arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages.
  • Ability to carry out detailed written and verbal instructions independently.
  • Good mechanical aptitude.
  • Ability to operate aerial lift, front-end loader, skid steer loader, brush chipper, stump grinder, axe, chain saws, hand saws, pruners, pole pruners and saws and all other forestry related equipment.
  • Body agility is emphasized using feet, legs, hands, arms and body.
  • Maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling, the amount of and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary maintenance of body equilibrium.
  • Ability to work at heights in excess of 75 feet above the ground.
  • Exerting up to 100 pounds of force frequently, lifting and moving objects up to and in excess of 200 pounds.
  • Above normal lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, grasping and upper body and back muscle exertion.
  • Vision requirements (with or without correction): clear vision at arm's length and distances up to 100 feet and excellent depth perception and ability to observe up or down, to the right while eyes are fixed on a given point.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work outside year-round. Temperature extremes are: summer 95 + degrees and winter -10 degrees. There is exposure to dirt, dust, snow, rain, and noise, equipment movement and vibration, hazardous chemicals, and electrical shock.
DRUG TEST REQUIRED
The City of Elkhart is a Drug Free Workplace. Therefore, a post offer, pre-employment drug screen is required. Random drug testing may be conducted after employment.
POLICY STATEMENT
  • The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
  • This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and other duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
  • This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employee holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

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