Forestry Officer

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Pension fund

Field vehicle

Training and development

Conservation impact

Job summary

Placements24 in Gauteng seeks a Forestry Officer to manage and protect forest resources in Vereeniging and surrounding regions. You will plan and execute forest inventories, silvicultural treatments, and fire prevention strategies to support sustainable land stewardship.

The role requires a degree in Forestry or Environmental Science, a minimum of 3 years in forest management, and strong leadership, communication, and data analysis skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of forest management or conservation experience.
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology, silviculture, and woodland management.
• Experience with forest inventory methods and data analysis.
• Familiarity with forest fire management principles and practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and report-writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forest inventories to assess timber volumes, species composition, and overall forest health.
• Develop and implement silvicultural plans for forest regeneration, thinning, and harvesting.
• Lead and coordinate efforts for fire prevention and suppression, including prescribed burns and firebreak maintenance.
• Monitor forest ecosystems for signs of disease, pest infestation, and invasive species, implementing control measures.
• Enforce forestry regulations and promote sustainable forest management practices among stakeholders.
• Supervise and train forestry field teams engaged in planting, maintenance, and monitoring activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Report writing

Data analysis

Education

Degree in Forestry or Environmental Science

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Forestry Officer to manage and protect forest resources in the Vereeniging area and surrounding regions. This role is critical for sustainable forest management, conservation efforts, and ensuring the health of our natural woodlands. You will be involved in planning and executing forest inventory, silvicultural treatments, and fire prevention strategies. The ideal candidate is passionate about conservation, possesses a strong understanding of forest ecology, and is committed to promoting responsible land stewardship within Gauteng. This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a conservation professional.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct forest inventories to assess timber volumes, species composition, and overall forest health.
• Develop and implement silvicultural plans for forest regeneration, thinning, and harvesting.
• Lead and coordinate efforts for fire prevention and suppression, including prescribed burns and firebreak maintenance.
• Monitor forest ecosystems for signs of disease, pest infestation, and invasive species, implementing control measures.
• Enforce forestry regulations and promote sustainable forest management practices among stakeholders.
• Supervise and train forestry field teams engaged in planting, maintenance, and monitoring activities.

Requirements

• Degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in forest management or conservation.
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology, silviculture, and woodland management techniques.
• Experience with forest inventory methods and data analysis.
• Familiarity with forest fire management principles and practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and report-writing skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential for overtime pay.
• Comprehensive health insurance and pension fund benefits.
• Provision of field equipment and a reliable vehicle for site visits.
• Opportunities for professional development and specialized training in conservation.
• The chance to contribute significantly to environmental conservation efforts in Gauteng.