Forest Aide

As a Forest Aide, you do exactly what your job title says: You care for forests and national parks. The job of a Forest Aide is a lot like that of a School Nurse, except you don’t apply bandages and cold presses. Instead, you replant land, help plants fight diseases, and clear away debris that’s harmful to the forest.

A Forest Aide works under the guidance of a Forester, often in remote places, so being a fan of trekking through the great outdoors is essential. Once you arrive at the designated location, you might use ecologically friendly chemical sprays to kill harmful insects or to stop invading fungi from taking nutrients away from the trees. Using bulldozers, you might also clear away dead timber and other brush that interferes with growing saplings. If you work in a national park, expect to pull weeds and manage foliage in public viewing areas so visitors can fully enjoy nature’s majesty.

While putting in a day’s work, always obey safety procedures set out by your Supervisor. As a Forest Aide, you encounter more than the average amount of safety hazards at work. Heavy machinery and sharp tools are your everyday instruments, and you can get hurt if you don’t use them the right way.

But know that with great risk comes great reward. You got into this business because life in a cubicle doesn’t suit you. When the work is done, stand back, take a deep breath of fresh air, and enjoy the forest’s wonder. After all, you make sure it stays healthy for generations to come.