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Timber Cruiser Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Procurement Forester

Millport, AL ยท On-site

$68K - $122K/yr

Ability to recon timber, use aerial photography and design cruises resulting in accurate timber appraisals. * Knowledge and understanding of various log scales and measures; able to determine and use ...

Ability to recon timber, use aerial photography and design cruises resulting in accurate timber appraisals. * Knowledge and understanding of various log scales and measures; able to determine and use ...

Procurement Forester

Smyrna, NY ยท On-site

$60K - $85K/yr

Cruise standing timber for quantity. * Appraise timber for quality and value. * Locate skid roads and landing locations. * Apply costs to all aspects of timber sale preparation and harvesting. * All ...

Procurement Forester

Owego, NY ยท On-site

$55K - $85K/yr

Cruise standing timber for quantity. * Appraise timber for quality and value. * Locate skid roads and landing locations. * Apply costs to all aspects of timber sale preparation and harvesting. * All ...

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Timber Cruiser information

See salary details

$29K

$41.5K

$53.5K

How much do timber cruiser jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for timber cruiser 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a timber cruiser, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Timber Cruiser, you need strong knowledge of forestry, tree species identification, and measurement techniques, often supported by a degree in forestry or a related field. Familiarity with GPS units, geographic information systems (GIS), forestry inventory software, and mapping tools is typically required. Attention to detail, physical stamina, and effective communication are important soft skills for accurate data collection and teamwork in the field. These competencies ensure reliable timber assessments, sustainable forest management, and safe, efficient field operations.

What are some common challenges faced by timber cruisers in the field, and how can they be addressed?

Timber Cruisers often work in remote, densely forested areas and may encounter challenging terrain, inclement weather, and navigation difficulties. These factors can make data collection and movement through the forest physically demanding and time-consuming. To address these challenges, Timber Cruisers typically undergo thorough safety training, use GPS and mapping technology for navigation, and work in teams to ensure both accuracy and safety. Proper preparation and the use of reliable field equipment are essential for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring accurate timber assessments.

What is a timber cruiser?

Timber cruisers are professionals who assess and estimate the quantity, quality, and value of timber in a forested area. They typically measure tree diameters, heights, and species composition, and record data to help determine how much timber can be harvested sustainably. Their work is essential for forest management, logging operations, and land appraisal, as it informs decisions about harvesting, conservation, and land use planning.

What is the difference between Timber Cruiser vs Timber Harvester?

AspectTimber CruiserTimber Harvester
CredentialsTypically requires logging or forestry certificationsRequires similar logging certifications, often with additional equipment operation licenses
Work EnvironmentField-based, working in forests to assess timberField-based, operating harvesting equipment in forests
Industry UsageUsed mainly for inventory and assessmentUsed for cutting and processing timber

While both roles operate in forestry, a Timber Cruiser primarily assesses and inventories timber resources, whereas a Timber Harvester focuses on cutting and processing trees. Both require forestry certifications and work in forest environments, but their responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Timber Cruiser jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Timber Cruiser jobs? The most popular types of Timber Cruiser jobs are:
What states have the most Timber Cruiser jobs? States with the most job openings for Timber Cruiser jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Timber Cruiser jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Timber Cruiser jobs are:
Infographic showing various Timber Cruiser job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,544 per year, or $20 per hour.

Lands Resource Specialist - Timber Management

LUMA

Mccall, ID โ€ข On-site

$27.31/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Idaho Department of Lands
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is seeking a full-time time Lands Resource Specialist - Timber Management position. This position will be located in McCall, Idaho.
Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.
Responsibilities:
Prepares timber sale projects in the field to include:
  • Establishing project boundaries
  • Developing silvicultural prescriptions
  • Determining logging systems
  • Designing /maintaining road systems
  • Timber marking and cruising
Prepares forest improvement projects in the field to include:
  • Planting
  • Herbicide site preparation
  • Broadcast burning
  • Pre-commercial thinning
  • Road maintenance
  • Land surveying
  • Cone collection
Prepares timber sale and forest improvement project documentation to include:
  • Writing project descriptions
  • Building GIS project maps
  • Compiling timber cruise data
  • Determining logging and road construction costs
  • Timber sale appraisal
  • Preparing contract terms
  • Developing a hazard management plan
  • Administers timber sale and forest improvement projects for compliance with management objectives, contract terms, Department policy, and applicable laws
  • Supervising others

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
  • Financial analysis methods used to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions or proposals to choose the most appropriate one

Other: Possession of a valid driver's license.
Nature and Scope
The Lands Resource Specialist is expected to develop the competencies and knowledge necessary to operate at a fully competent Land Resource Specialist, Senior level. The Lands Resource Specialist 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