From School Into a Job - Forest Health or Biosecurity
TERTIARY TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO ENTER THIS INDUSTRY SECTOR
Select Polytech or University to see what's available.
From School to Polytech - Forest Health or Biosecurity
WHAT SORT OF JOB COULD I GET IF I GAINED A POLYTECH QUALIFICATION?
Because of the specialist nature of this work, you are unlikely to get a job in Forest Health straight from school. To get into this field you generally need broad experience in other forest industry sectors and a tertiary qualification in forestry. Jobs available in this field are:
FOREST HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
This involves monitoring forests and trees in urban areas, keeping an eye on any existing tree health problems and detecting potential problems. It may also involve taking foliage samples, making health assessments, and giving recommendations on nutrient requirements and treatment. An interest in flying is desirable.
FOREST PRODUCE INSPECTOR
Inspects forest produce being exported to ensure it meets the phytosanitary (health) requirements of the country it's going to.
QUARANTINE OFFICER
Inspects imports of cargo, passengers and baggage, looking for the presence of any organisms that could cause harm to New Zealand's environment
RESEARCH WORKER
Investigates and analyses treatment and protection practices. May be involved in identifying and managing existing and potential pests and diseases.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS OR EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO GET ONE OF THOSE JOBS?
Preferred qualifications for these jobs are:
Level 5 Wood Technology Diploma
Waiariki Institute of Technology
Level 6 National Diploma in Forestry
Waiariki Institute of Technology
Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Forestry Science
Master of Forestry Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry
University of Canterbury
Bachelor of Science (Technology) Forestry
University of Waikato
Bachelor of Applied Science (Forestry)
Massey University
Master of Applied Science (Agroforestry)
Postgraduate Diploma (with Forestry emphasis)
Lincoln University
WHAT TRAINING AND CAREER PROGRESSION IS AVAILABLE IN FOREST HEALTH OR BIOSECURITY?
Level 4 National Certificate in Forest Health Surveillance
- The skills necessary to detect and identify health abnormalities in trees and forests. These may be the result of contact with insects or fungi, bacteria or viruses, animals (such as mammals or man) or they may have an abiotic cause.
- The knowledge and ability required to make progress observations and collect samples of affected parts of the trees for later identification by scientists.
You need to be working for a forest owner to gain the experience you need for this qualification.
Level 4 National Certificate in Forest Produce Inspection
This certificate is awarded to people who have shown they are able to inspect and certify forest produce for export, ensuring it meets the phytosanitary (health) requirements of the importing country. The certificate covers the international conventions and agreements, and the phytosanitary requirements of individual importing countries.
You need to be employed by an organisation working in forest produce inspection to get the work experience you need for this qualification.
Level 4 National Certificate in Biosecurity
To get this qualification you need to know how to inspect, evaluate, and clear or reject organic materials coming into New Zealand. These materials may arrive through international airports, seaports or mail centres. People with this certificate are able to detect risk goods and contaminants which pose a threat to New Zealand's biosecurity. They are also able to deal with the crew and passengers of aircraft and ships and take action to prevent potentially harmful plants, animals and their products getting into the country.
While the qualification is open, gaining the skills and knowledge involved is only possible for people working as quarantine officers for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
As a quarantine officer you would start by working as part of a team. With experience, you might move on to working individually and taking responsibility for a particular area or coordinating and managing other teams.
From School to University - Forest Health or Biosecurity
WHAT SORT OF JOB COULD I GET IF I GAINED A UNIVSITY QUALIFICATION?
Because of the specialist nature of this work, you are unlikely to get a job in Forest Health straight from school. To get into this field you generally need broad experience in other forest industry sectors and a tertiary qualification in forestry. Jobs available in this field are:
FOREST HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
This involves monitoring forests and trees in urban areas, keeping an eye on any existing tree health problems and detecting potential problems. It may also involve taking foliage samples, making health assessments, and giving recommendations on nutrient requirements and treatment. An interest in flying is desirable.
FOREST PRODUCE INSPECTOR
Inspects forest produce being exported to ensure it meets the phytosanitary (health) requirements of the country it's going to.
QUARANTINE OFFICER
Inspects imports of cargo, passengers and baggage, looking for the presence of any organisms that could cause harm to New Zealand's environment
RESEARCH WORKER
Investigates and analyses treatment and protection practices. May be involved in identifying and managing existing and potential pests and diseases.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS OR EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO GET ONE OF THOSE JOBS?
There are a wide range of university qualifications available, but the following are designed with a focus on the forest industry. Entry requirements to get into these programmes will depend on the university. Generally NCEA Level 2 or 3 achievement is preferred.
University of Canterbury
Bachelor of Forestry Science
Master of Forestry Science
Graduate Diploma in Forestry
Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry
Bachelor of Engineering (Forest Engineering)
University of Auckland
Bachelor of Engineering (Wood Technology)
University of Waikato
Bachelor of Science (Technology) Environmental Science
WHAT TRAINING AND CAREER PROGRESSION IS AVAILABLE IN FOREST HEALTH AND BIOSECURITY?
Level 4 National Certificate in Forest Health Surveillance
- The skills necessary to detect and identify health abnormalities in trees and forests. These may be the result of contact with insects or fungi, bacteria or viruses, animals (such as mammals or man) or they may have an abiotic cause.
- The knowledge and ability required to make progress observations and collect samples of affected parts of the trees for later identification by scientists.
You need to be working for a forest owner to gain the experience you need for this qualification.
Level 4 National Certificate in Forest Produce Inspection
This certificate is awarded to people who have shown they are able to inspect and certify forest produce for export, ensuring it meets the phytosanitary (health) requirements of the importing country. The certificate covers the international conventions and agreements, and the phytosanitary requirements of individual importing countries.
You need to be employed by an organisation working in forest produce inspection to get the work experience you need for this qualification.
Level 4 National Certificate in Biosecurity
To get this qualification you need to know how to inspect, evaluate, and clear or reject organic materials coming into New Zealand. These materials may arrive through international airports, seaports or mail centres. People with this certificate are able to detect risk goods and contaminants which pose a threat to New Zealand's biosecurity. They are also able to deal with the crew and passengers of aircraft and ships and take action to prevent potentially harmful plants, animals and their products getting into the country.
While the qualification is open, gaining the skills and knowledge involved is only possible for people working as quarantine officers for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
As a quarantine officer you would start by working as part of a team. With experience, you might move on to working individually and taking responsibility for a particular area or coordinating and managing other teams.