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Private Forestry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$46K - $50K/yr

... State & Private Forestry, State Fire Assistance, Community Assistance on Adjacent Lands) by preparing scopes/estimates, collecting documentation, and tracking progress. * Support timber sale ...

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Private Forestry information

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$29K

$41.5K

$53.5K

How much do private forestry jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for private forestry in the United States is $41,544.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,500.00 and $46,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is private forestry?

Private forestry refers to the management, conservation, and sustainable use of forested land that is owned by individuals, families, or organizations rather than the government. Professionals in private forestry help landowners develop management plans, improve timber quality, protect wildlife habitats, and ensure long-term forest health. These services can include timber harvesting guidance, reforestation, pest management, and advice on best practices for land stewardship. Private forestry plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance and supporting local economies.

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

To thrive in Private Forestry, you need a solid background in forest management, environmental science, and land-use planning, often supported by a degree in forestry or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, forest inventory systems, and relevant certifications such as SAF Certified Forester are commonly required. Strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate with landowners and regulatory agencies help set professionals apart. These skills are crucial for ensuring sustainable forest management, maximizing land value, and maintaining compliance with environmental standards.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in private forestry, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in private forestry often encounter challenges such as balancing sustainable forest management with landowner objectives, navigating evolving environmental regulations, and dealing with market fluctuations for timber products. Effective communication with landowners and stakeholders is essential to align goals and expectations. Staying updated on best practices and regulatory changes, as well as participating in professional networks, can help address these challenges and support successful management outcomes.

What is the difference between Private Forestry vs Forest Technician?

AspectPrivate ForestryForest Technician
CredentialsOften requires forestry degrees or certifications, sometimes with private landowner or consulting experienceTypically requires an associate's or bachelor's degree in forestry or related field
Work EnvironmentPrivate landowners, consulting firms, or forestry companies; outdoor fieldwork and client interactionForests, government agencies, or consulting firms; fieldwork and data collection
Employer & Industry UsagePrivate landowners, forestry consulting firms, and industry companiesGovernment agencies, consulting firms, and private companies

Private Forestry involves managing private land for timber, conservation, or recreation, often working directly with landowners. Forest Technicians support forestry projects through data collection, mapping, and field assessments, working in both private and public sectors. While both roles require forestry knowledge and field skills, Private Forestry emphasizes landowner relations and management, whereas Forest Technicians focus on technical data gathering and analysis.

More about Private Forestry jobs
What cities are hiring for Private Forestry jobs? Cities with the most Private Forestry job openings:
What states have the most Private Forestry jobs? States with the most job openings for Private Forestry jobs include:
Infographic showing various Private Forestry job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,544 per year, or $20 per hour.

Lands Resource Specialist, Senior - Private Forester

LUMA

Sandpoint, ID โ€ข On-site

$27.31/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Idaho Department of Lands
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is seeking a full-time Lands Resource Specialist, Senior - Private Forester. This position will be located at our Pend Orielle Area (Sandpoint).
Applications will be accepted until filled.
Description
To perform technical, operational, and administrative duties to plan, design, and administer programs or projects associated with land management and/or natural resource protection. Incumbents are expected to apply his/her technical knowledge and training while learning the state laws and department policies and procedures.
Responsibilities:
Provide technical assistance to non-industrial and industrial landowners, logging contractors, and agencies in all aspects of forestry. Conduct inspections on state and private logging operations for compliance with the Idaho Forest Practices Act (FPA). Prescribe corrective actions to address non-compliant logging operations. Provide information and technical assistance to landowners on all aspects of private management. Conduct formal and informal presentations, lectures and discussions with loggers, landowners, and students. Represent IDL on committees and at public meetings. Option to participate in wildfire suppression response as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
  • Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience through technical reports, business correspondence, and oral presentations
  • Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to produce maps and analyze spatial data

Some Knowledge of:
  • State and federal laws, rules and regulations in relation to natural resource management activities
  • Methods used to evaluate projects and/or data, analyzing alternatives, and making recommendations
  • Public land survey legal descriptions, aerial photos and topographic and property ownership maps

Other: Possession of a valid driver's license.
Desired Qualifications
Three years' experience as a professional forester. Timber sale layout and administration. Timber harvesting systems. Identification and management of forest pathogens. Delivery of technical forestry assistance to a variety of audiences. ESRI ArcPro GIS program. Implementation of forestry Best Management Practices (BMP's). Some Knowledge: Idaho Forest Practices Act. Interpreting and understanding timber markets. Using and managing databases. Timber cruising. Possession of: Associate's degree or higher in Forestry or a Natural Resource field. Excellent communication skills. Ability to work as a productive member of a group.
Supplemental Information - Private Forestry Assistance.
  • Responsible for administering all aspects of the Idaho Forest Practices Act rules and regulations
  • Prioritizing and conducting inspections, writing inspection reports, issuing unsatisfactory reports and pursuing subsequent regulatory procedures to obtain forest practices compliance, and reviewing variance requests to determine if action will meet or exceed all rules and regulations
  • Communicate effectively with the ability to resolve conflict in difficult situations

MQ Specialties - Private Forestry Assistance
Some knowledge of:
  • Forest management principles
  • Silviculture principles
  • Forest mensuration
  • Dendrology
  • Forest harvest methods
  • Soils
  • Forest engineering principles (road design and construction)
  • Writing and reviewing forest management plans
  • Forestry best management practices (BMPs) and processes for conducting field inspections, compliance reporting, and implementing corrective action
  • Idaho Forest Practices Act and associated administrative rules
  • Forest entomology and forest pathology

Nature and Scope
The Lands Resource Specialist, senior is required to develop familiarity with scientific theories and a broadening comprehension of involved practices, precedents, facts and conditions to perform routine duties involving standard practices and procedures, working within defined guidelines. Although duties performed are well-defined and follow prescribed procedures, the Lands Resource Specialist independently applies scientific techniques and/or a knowledge or understanding of involved practices and precedents to evaluate cause and effect relationships. In situations not covered by standard practice or guidelines, the Lands Resource Specialist analyzes rules or policies, develops options, and makes recommendations to the supervisor for appropriate action. Decision-making affects the work group and/or project and the impact the project has on long-range or overall program goals and implementation. Lands Resource Specialists may spend a majority of their time performing outdoor work alone or with other people in a variety of conditions including, but not limited to: frequent travel to and from the work site; working in remote geographic locations; operating full size 4x4 vehicles, ATV's or snow machines; walking and climbing over rugged terrain, to include very steep, wet, muddy, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance and up to 150 pounds with assistance; other physical exertions such as, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; working in all types of weather; and working in environments with heat, smoke, and/or biting and stinging insects. Some positions are subject to fire assignment and must maintain qualifications for Incident Command System (ICS) rating. Some Lands Resource Specialists are involved with the hiring and supervision of temporary and/or permanent staff involved in fieldwork.
Benefits:
The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*
EEO/ADA/Veteran:
The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.
About the Idaho Department of Lands:
Become part of an organization where you will work with dedicated people who are committed and skilled in managing and protecting Idaho's natural resources.
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) believes in its employees and values stewardship, service, accountability and cohesiveness. Our goals emphasize our people and processes, financial stewardship, and customer focus. We strive for a culture in which leadership equips, entrusts and expects employees to make decisions in fulfillment of our mission. View our Strategic Plan here.
Under the direction of the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners, IDL manages more than 2.5 million acres of state endowment trust land under a constitutional mandate to produce maximum long-term financial returns for public schools and several other State of Idaho institutions. Leases and other contracts are used to authorize revenue generating activities such as timber harvest, grazing, farming, mining, commercial use, residential use, and conservation in a prudent and sustainable manner.
Managing endowment trust lands is only part of our story. We also protect public resources such as water quality, fish, wildlife habitat, and recreation on navigable waterways, and ensure the protection of water quality and other resources by overseeing forestry and mining practices across all ownerships in the state. We also work to reclaim abandoned mines in Idaho. One of our most important resource protection responsibilities is fire prevention and suppression. We also aid landowners in managing their forest lands, work with communities to plant trees in urban settings, help keep working forests working through the Forest Legacy Program, and work with many partners to promote healthy forests on a landscape level. IDL also is the administrative arm of the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

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About Luma

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Monica, CA, US

Year founded

2002