I want a role that can lead to management opportunities

Botanist

As a Botanist in the forest and wood products sector, you’ll not only have highly sought-after skills, but you’ll be working in reforestation and maintenance of habitat and species diversity. You could also be involved in developing and growing trees for optimum timber production.

Role:

Roles will vary according to the position, however your working day could include:

Investigating the impact of environmental factors on plant growth
Assessing the affect of environmental and genetic variables
Determining patterns of species evolution using biochemical and molecular techniques
Studying tree chromosomes, cells and tissues
Preparing scientific and management reports and papers
Supervising and coordinate the work of technical support staff

Ideal attributes:

Relevant experience, plus good analysis and problem solving, good written and verbal communication skills, able to accept responsibility and ability to work autonomously or as part of a team.

A high level of understanding and commitment to occupational health and safety is essential.

Qualifications:

A graduate or postgraduate degree in botany, plant sciences or the equivalent.

Employers in the forest and wood products industry are very supportive of ongoing training and skills development.

Employers:

Potential employers include:

Forestry companies
Research organisations
Universities
Government

IT – Systems Analysts/Programmers

If you’re into IT as a Programmer or Analyst, chances are you haven’t considered the forest and wood products industry.

Role:

Roles will vary according to the position, however your working day could include:

Troubleshooting and problem solving
Systems analysis and programming
Software development
Data aggregation and analysis
Report design
Liaising with operators and management.

Ideal attributes:

Relevant experience, plus good analysis and problem solving, good written and verbal communication skills, able to accept responsibility and ability to work autonomously or as part of a team.

A high level of understanding and commitment to occupational health and safety is essential.

Qualifications:

A graduate or postgraduate degree in computer science or the equivalent.

Employers in the forest and wood products industry are very supportive of ongoing training and skills development.

Employers:

Potential employers include:

Wood processors and wood product manufacturers
Industry suppliers

Forester

You’ll find professional Foresters working everywhere from boardrooms to the bush, in areas ranging from conservation to production, and at local to global scales.

Role:

Employment prospects for graduate Foresters are excellent. As a graduate you’ll have opportunities to move into a range of roles – and switch between them.

Forestry can be many careers in one!

Ideal attributes:

As there are so many potential areas to work in there are a lot of potential attributes!

Forestry is science based, so scientific aptitude is a given. Foresters tend to be passionate about their work, keen to promote a naturally sustainable industry and maintaining our natural environment.

Check out the case studies for more information.

Qualifications:

There are many rewarding undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to choose from.

Undergraduate Courses include:

Australian National University

Southern Cross University

Postgraduate Courses include:

National Forestry Masters Program

Australian National University

Southern Cross University

Masters of Forest Science and Management

Melbourne University

Master of Forest Ecosystem Science

University of Queensland

Doctor of Science in Forestry

University of Tasmania

There are also a number of scholarships available for both Undergraduate and Graduate courses.

Employers:

Potential employers include:

State or territory forestry or national parks agencies
Federal and State governments
Private forestry or resource companies
Community and conservation groups
Universities and research organisations such as the CSIRO
Corporations and investors seeking advice about assessing risks and managing opportunities
International organisations such as the World Conservation Union, the World Bank and the Centre for International Forestry Research.

More Information:

http://www.forestry.org.au/masters/

Harvesting Supervisor

If you like working in the bush, leading a team operating a range of high-tech machines, you’ll enjoy being a Harvesting Supervisor.

You will have worked with all of the equipment yourself – and still operate one day-to-day. However, you’ll also be responsible for your team working safely, following environmental guidelines and maintaining their equipment.

You’ll ensure they produce quality logs, safely and efficiently – and you’ll earn the title of ‘Bush Boss”.

Role:

As a Harvesting Supervisor you’ll find a wide range of roles including:

Operating harvesting equipment
Operating chainsaws and other machinery
Grading sawlogs
Workingyour team to ensure the right outputs.

Responsibilities:

The job responsibilities vary according to the role, however working safely and following appropriate OH&S practices is essential.

Ideal attributes:

You’ll enjoy the challenges of leadership, like working outdoors in the bush and with machinery, be mechanically literate and understand environmental best practices and the value of the product you are handling.

Qualifications:

Typically a Harvesting Supervisor requires certificate III qualification, although some jobs may require Certificate IV or higher.

Employers in the forest and wood products industry are very supportive of ongoing training and skills development.

Employers:

Employers include:

Hardwood and softwood harvesting contractors

Transport and Logistics

As the Transport and Logistics Coordinator in the forest and wood products industry, you will be working with high-end technology and be able to innovate to solve problems.

Role:

Roles may vary between mills to manufacturing plants to forests, but may include the following:

Manage all import/export operations
Manage all trucking operations
Responsible for safety in the workplace and all adherence to regulation
Customer service
Shipping documentation and on time delivery
Warehousing where required
Meeting all business objectives
Managing budgets, timelines and staff
Reporting as required

Responsibilities:

This role is responsible for getting the product to the customer in the agreed timeframe whilst keeping the safety of workers top of mind.

Ideal attributes:

Experience in running logistics and transport operations is a must along with attention to detail, excellent communication skills and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Qualifications:

Tertiary qualifications in transport, logistics or supply chain management.

Employers:

Roles will be across the industry from forests, to mills, to manufacturing plants to wholesales and product retailers; anywhere they sell wood products.

Sales and Marketing Coordinator

As the Sales and Marketing Coordinator in the forest and wood products industry, you will be working in one of Australia’s dynamic and sustainable industries that may lead to import/export experience.

Role:

Tasks would vary dependent upon the size and type of organisation, but duties may include:

Develop all marketing material and promotional material
Assist coordinate sales and campaign requests and material
Facilitate promotions
Maintain and build databases
Maintain website
Respond to customer enquiries
Actively seek new business opportunities
Manage existing customer relationships
Produce sales, stock and pricing reports
Produce reports, strategies and budgets

Responsibilities:

This role is responsible for the brand and public face of the organisation.

Ideal attributes:

Experience in delivering on time and one budget as well as meeting sales targets.

Qualifications:

Diploma or Degree in Marketing or equivalent and experience in sales.

Employers:

Organisations requirements would differ widely within this industry.

Retail and Consumer Services

As the Retail and Consumer Services Coordinator, you will be working with one of Australia’s most dynamic and sustainable industries. This role may provide exposure to import and export markets.

Role:

The tasks may vary between organisations but may include:

Working with all internal departments to identify consumer opportunities
Extracting, manipulating and drawing actionable insights from data
Use appropriate techniques to manipulate data
Present findings and recommendations in a professional manner to a wide-ranging group of stakeholders
Work closely with the management team and marketing.

Responsibilities:

This role is responsible for presenting internal and external data in a way that the business can develop strategies and implement action plans.

Ideal attributes:

This role requires high-level attention to detail, excellent communication skills, experience in research packages and excellent presentation skills.

Qualifications:

Diploma or Degree in appropriate qualifications.

Employers:

The roles may vary between organisations however many organisations conduct their own research as well as export product.

Human Resources and Recruitment

As a HR and Recruitment Manager you'll be responsible for recruiting of the right people in the right roles and then keeping them supported.

Role:

Your key role may include the following:

Manage end-to-end recruitment
Prepare position descriptions and job advertisements
Develop HR documents and policies and ensure that they are enacted
Liaise with staff
Provide HR support
Prepare contracts and inductions
Performance management
Remuneration, rewards and recognition
Prepare reporting as required.

Responsibilities:

The HR and Recruitment Manager would be responsible for the professional recruitment and retention of staff, as well as the recruitment and HR support.

Ideal attributes:

Ideally the Manager should be passionate about people and the timber and wood products industry and should strive for employing quality people and keeping them.

Qualifications:

Diploma or Degree in HR or equivalent and experience dependent upon company requirements.

Employers:

Organisations tend to recruit an HR and Recruitment Manager either fulltime or part-time dependent upon the size of the organisation.

Education and Training Manager

As the Education and Training Manager in the forest and wood products industry you will be responsible for conducting training needs analysis, design and develop programs, ensure delivery and assessment and lead continuous improvement programs.

Role:

Tasks would vary upon the type of organisation but may include:

Conducting education needs analysis
Designing and developing programs
Deliver management, induction, communications and other training as required
Develop training material for all delivery modes including online
Lead other trainers and/or train the trainers
Manager consultants
Ensure processes and policies are followed
Conduct course evaluations
Report to management
Identify opportunities
Liaise with all stakeholders inside and outside the organisation
Manage any educational organisation reporting requirements specific to that organisation

Responsibilities:

The Education and Training Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all staff are operating at the appropriate and safe level and all training requirements are being fulfilled.

Ideal attributes:

You will have:

Strong skills in development, facilitation, presentation and the evaluation of education and training programs
Experience in identifying training needs and analysing gaps
Strong research and analytical skills
Good understanding of the forest and wood products industry
Strong time management and task prioritising skills
High level written, oral communication and computer skills
Ability to work unsupervised and within a team environment
Ability to work flexible hours and travel

Qualifications:

Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training or TAA04 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment plus experience.

Employers:

All organisations require a training and education specialist due to the high-level of on-the-job training.

Advertising and Media

Working as an Advertising and Media coordinator in the forest and wood products industry, you will be working in one of Australia’s dynamic and sustainable industries. If you enjoy challenges and diverse opportunities then this industry is for you.

Role:

The tasks would vary between companies but could include the following duties:

Placement of all advertising electronic, online and traditional advertising or working with a media placement agency
Preparation of editorial and advertising copy
Preparation of images for all advertising and editorial
Preparation of copy for all company collateral
Manage deadlines
Manage budgets
Manage evaluation of campaigns
Prepare reports on results
Prepare briefs and action plans
Manage consultants
Work with other departments to set objectives and messaging
Communicate internally

Responsibilities:

The media and advertising coordinator would be responsible for the external public face of the organisation, manage the brand and meet targets.

Ideal attributes:

You will have excellent communication skills, able to multi-tasks, strong time management skills, strong analytical skills, strong negotiation skills and high level of attention to detail.

Qualifications:

Relevant Diploma or Degree qualifications plus experience in similar role.

Employers:

Many organisations use advertising whether at the production, manufacturing or sales stage.

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Timber Sales Assistant

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