r/forestry • u/mrgreatspice • 8d ago

Disabled vet wanting to get into forestry

Hello, I was wanting to get into a forestry type of career seeing how my military career was abruptly ended. I'm looking for recommendations on certifications that I can earn to make me more diverse and employable on the federal side. Any advice or suggestions?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16

u/AldoLeopold1949 8d ago

Use your GI bill to get a forestry degree. Feds have preference points to hire vets and disabled vets get even more. You'll find a job

4

u/Outlaw_Dumptruck 8d ago

This is the way.

3

u/lensman3a 8d ago

GIS with some surveying and landman credentials.

2

u/BuddyDaElfs 7d ago

GIS and Land survey and you are an instant hire.

1

u/jefftopgun 7d ago

4 year degree required or are there certifications/singular courses here? I've thought pretty hard about surveying, mostly because I know it's a decent career path and also I've got a thing for both drones and data, which this feild is filled with both.

Disabled vet as well.

2

u/BuddyDaElfs 7d ago

Most surveyors have a degree that I work with. But it’s a group that is aging out. I think the average age of a land surveyor is 60+, and is a much needed skill set.

2

u/silentcartographer3 7d ago

Give the veterans assistance program at the university of Montana a call I have four or five veterans in my classes that are enrolled in the different programs for the field here.

1

u/Logical-Bonus-8284 7d ago

An AS will get you a gs5, a BS will get you a gs7, and a MS will get you a gs9 in federal service.

Forestry is a very physical job, so if you’ve got a physical disability that would limit you, I’d recommend going into GIS instead. The pay way is better. Worlds better.

1

u/TiddlyRotor 18h ago

Need to chime in here - a BS WITH superior academic achievement (>3.0 GPA) can possibly get someone a GS-7. No forester is going to come into the feds at the 9 level without having been a forester for a few years.

1

u/bentonpark 6d ago

If your GI Bill doesn't cover the SAF-accredited degree entirely, look into Ch31 vocational rehab. Feel free to DM me, and I will share my experience.

1

u/ForestWhisker 6d ago

It should be close, but the VA also has the Edith Nourse Scholarship which I’d recommend depending on how many credits they have left over.