How to Be a Logger

Laying the Groundwork for a Logging Career

Complete your high school degree or GED. Study diligently, and fulfill all applicable coursework requirements to earn your high school diploma in 4 years or less. Or, take the General Equivalency Diploma exam. Employers are looking for prospective hires with this qualification and will provide additional training to new hires. While in high school, take shop classes to get familiar with tools and equipment, as well as any electives that your high school offers on the environment and weather systems. Additionally, join afterschool clubs or age-appropriate meetup groups to learn more about the environment. Take electives that will enhance your communications and decision-making skills, as these will be critical in the logging field.

Earn a degree in Forestry Science, to get an edge over the competition. If your college does not have a Forestry Science program, pursue a degree in Environmental Science instead. During your undergraduate studies, take coursework directly related to the logging profession to enhance your knowledge of the field. Opt for electives that will expose you to heavy machinery operation as well as classes that will enhance your decision-making skills.

Network with others in the industry to widen your knowledge base. Use your free time during your undergraduate studies to network with professionals in the logging industry. Work with your on-campus career services office to develop strategies to do so. Join professional trade associations, like the Forest Resources Association and the American Loggers Council, to learn more about the industry and meet like-minded individuals.

Study the practice of logging in your free time. Subscribe to newsletters, like Logger News Online, that provide in-depth information. Learn as much as you can about the industry to increase your chances of landing a job as a logger. You can watch videos online about becoming a logger or tune into TV shows that document what it's like to work in the industry.

Practice logging machine controls using logging simulators. Simulators like Forestry 2017 can provide insights on how logging machines work. They are no substitute for real-world experience, but they can give you a good feel for the day-to-day work of a logger. Logging companies often incorporate simulators into on-the-job training. Gaining experience with simulators before you land a job can make the onboarding process easier.

Finding a Logging Job

Look for a job in the best states for logging. Narrow your online job searches to states with substantial wood exports, significant amounts of unforested land, and/or established logging operations. Additionally, search for information on industry trends in heavily forested states. For example, look for states where forestry jobs are growing or declining. Narrow your choices down using this information. The best states for logging jobs include Idaho, Washington, Mississippi, Arkansas, Montana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina To learn more, check out the Forestry Resources Association (https://forestresources.org/), the Society of American Foresters (https://eforester.org/), the Truck Loggers Association, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/logging-workers.htm#tab-6).

Use online job search boards to find leads on positions. Set up email alerts for search terms including the words “logger” and “entry-level” on popular job boards, such as CareerBuilder, Monster, and Indeed. Search these job boards periodically for open positions. Check for leads on the job boards of logging and forestry job boards as well. Set up accounts on these sites, then store a resume and cover letter in your online account to help you apply quickly when new openings are posted.

Conduct due diligence before applying for a position. Look up companies you plan to apply to on the Better Business Bureau’s website, as well as the websites of state regulators, for red flags. Avoid taking positions at firms that have been cited for failed safety inspections, environmental violations, and unsafe working conditions. Also, check the firm’s financial position. A firm that has undergone recent bankruptcies or has had challenges making payroll is a firm you should avoid. Look these companies up on websites with employee reviews of their employers to assess the culture of these companies and whether they would be a good fit for you.

Submit a resume and cover letter for jobs you are qualified for. Tailor both documents to each position and company you apply for. Use your cover letter to emphasize applicable work experience, especially prior outdoor work, and/or work of a physical nature. Make sure your resume is up-to-date, error-free, and consistent with the information in your cover letter. Have a friend or family member review both your cover letter and resume before you send it out. A second eye can catch the errors you may miss!

Show your enthusiasm for the profession during your job interview. Smile and shake your interviewer’s hand with a firm grip. Answer all of the interviewer’s questions clearly and concisely. Incorporate your understanding of the logging company’s needs and prospects, as well as logging industry trends, into your answers. Make sure to send a thank you note to the interviewer(s). Handwritten notes are best.

Working as a Logger

Complete the initial training offered by your employer. Before you begin cutting down trees, your employer will train you to use the equipment safely and responsibly. Take classes in chainsaw operation and safety as well as first aid. Hands-on instruction may include timber grading in addition to specific logging software used by your employer. Take this training seriously. Pay close attention to your trainer’s instructions. Watch them closely and do not let your attention wander. Ask questions when you are unclear on a specific directive. Knowing how to use the equipment safely will minimize your risk of injury. You’ll most likely be working in a team most days. Using your equipment safely will keep your co-workers safe as well.

Start working as a chokerman, become a timber bucker, then apply to be a feller. Most entry-level loggers start their careers as a chokerman (or choke-setter), which is a logger who fastens felled logs to trucks for transport using heavy steel cables. After working as a chokerman for several months, work alongside experienced timber fellers to delimb trees as a timber bucker. When you have a few years of experience, apply for any openings as a feller as they become available. A feller cuts down trees either with hand tools like chainsaws or machines, like tree harvesters.

Pursue state logging certifications to enhance your earning potential. Search online for the certification program, application process, and course requirements in your state. Ask your employer to cover the costs of any costs and fees in full or in part. Once enrolled, complete the logging equipment operation and safety, forest ecology, and first aid workshops that are generally required of these programs. State certification course requirements generally may be fulfilled by completing evening or weekend workshops offered at colleges, universities, or recognized training facilities. As such, costs can vary considerably depending on which course you take at which institution. These programs generally must be completed within two to three years of initial application. Many state certification programs require participants to complete continuing education credits to keep their certification current. Complete additional courses each year to remain in good standing and keep current with best practices.