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45-4011.00 · Task explorer

Forest and Conservation Workers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.

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This source lists 17 tasks, including 4 marked Core and 13 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2023.

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17 tasks shown

Core · Task 7026 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.

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Core · Task 7028 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 7029 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 7027 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7035 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7041 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7042 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7032 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7034 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.

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Supplemental · Task 7031 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7030 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7038 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7045 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7037 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7039 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 7040 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 20632 · 08/2023 · Incumbent

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

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Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.