Will “Skidder Operator” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Operate skidders, bulldozers, or other prime movers to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated.

• Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.

• Erect signs or fences, using posthole diggers, shovels, or other hand tools.

• Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.

• Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.

• Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.

• Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.

• Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.

• Select tree seedlings, prepare the ground, or plant the trees in reforestation areas, using manual planting tools.

• Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.

• Sort tree seedlings, discarding substandard seedlings, according to standard charts or verbal instructions.

• Provide assistance to forest survey crews by clearing site-lines, holding measuring tools, or setting stakes.

• Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.

• Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.

• Maintain campsites or recreational areas, replenishing firewood or other supplies and cleaning kitchens or restrooms.

• Prune or shear tree tops or limbs to control growth, increase density, or improve shape.

• Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation.