Forest and Conservation Workers
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, and tree planters.
How AI Impacts Each Task
22 tasks analyzed
Gather, package, or deliver forest products to buyers.
Sow or harvest cover crops, such as alfalfa.
Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.
Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
Confer with other workers to discuss issues such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.
Drag cut trees from cutting areas and load trees onto trucks.
Sort tree seedlings, discarding substandard seedlings, according to standard charts or verbal instructions.
Operate skidders, bulldozers, or other prime movers to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated.
Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation.
Examine and grade trees according to standard charts and staple color-coded grade tags to limbs.
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.
Provide assistance to forest survey crews by clearing site-lines, holding measuring tools, or setting stakes.
Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.
Maintain campsites or recreational areas, replenishing firewood or other supplies and cleaning kitchens or restrooms.
Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.
Select tree seedlings, prepare the ground, or plant the trees in reforestation areas, using manual planting tools.
Prune or shear tree tops or limbs to control growth, increase density, or improve shape.
Create field maps using geographic information systems technology.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gather, package, or deliver forest products to buyers. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Sow or harvest cover crops, such as alfalfa. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 8% | |
| Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Confer with other workers to discuss issues such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 5% | |
| Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 8% | |
| Drag cut trees from cutting areas and load trees onto trucks. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Sort tree seedlings, discarding substandard seedlings, according to standard charts or verbal instructions. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 3% | |
| Operate skidders, bulldozers, or other prime movers to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 6% | |
| Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 6% | |
| Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 5% | |
| Examine and grade trees according to standard charts and staple color-coded grade tags to limbs. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Erect signs or fences, using posthole diggers, shovels, or other hand tools. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Provide assistance to forest survey crews by clearing site-lines, holding measuring tools, or setting stakes. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Maintain campsites or recreational areas, replenishing firewood or other supplies and cleaning kitchens or restrooms. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Select tree seedlings, prepare the ground, or plant the trees in reforestation areas, using manual planting tools. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Prune or shear tree tops or limbs to control growth, increase density, or improve shape. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Create field maps using geographic information systems technology. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
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Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis