need your help

[synness4]

I'm looking at a job as a tree feller sawyer for a fire mitigation company, I don't have any work history in forestry. I'm not a chain saw pro but I know chain saws and I've learned a lot about felling trees, saftey, use of wedges, PPE and not to mention the 100s of cords of fire wood I've cut. Any ideas on what I should put on my resume thanks

 

[056kid]

I'm looking at a job as a tree feller sawyer for a fire mitigation company, I don't have any work history in forestry. I'm not a chain saw pro but I know chain saws and I've learned a lot about felling trees, saftey, use of wedges, PPE and not to mention the 100s of cords of fire wood I've cut. Any ideas on what I should put on my resume thanks

green

 

[2dogs]

Contact your local fire agencies and USFS along with local saw shops and see if there are any certification classes you can take.

 

[ak4195]

Contact your local fire agencies and USFS along with local saw shops and see if there are any certification classes you can take.

Great idea,at the very least basic first aid/cpr,might be neccesary with there insurance carrier.Also if you have any equipment operator experience,even skidsteers,farm tractors etc.

ak4195

 

[rdbrumfield]

To be right up front with you, if you do not have the time with someone that has shown you the ropes so to speak about falling timber, do not go out there.
Felling timber is a hazardous job and you are putting yourself in harms way, not to mention others working with you. Every species cuts differently, snags are especially dangerous. My dad had one about 6ft in dia he had to take down. He no more than got inside the bark and the whole tree disentegrated. It came straight down, I mean it collapsed at the base and just kept piling up. There was nothing there but a pile of rot. The vibration is enough to shake limbs out at times.
I know it is a tough time to find a job, but giving your life is not worth it.

I see you are in Mt, wondering if you are having to deal with the pine beetle. I was in Wy hunting and it is just devestating what is going on with that. Felling those dried out trees must be a challenge. When limbs break off, usually the sawyer is right there under them at the base of the tree.

 

[synness4]

you are right this job is cutting beetle kill trees 9" and under these tree have only been dead for a year or so and i've cut 100 or more in timber management on my family's property these are pondarosa pine a 9" tree is only 20' tall or less not saying it is easy but alot safer than the 80,100 foot trees i drop for fire wood

 

[Mike PA]

Finding and signing up for a class is a great idea. Even if you do not compelte the class before your interview, list it on your resume (Provide the future date of the class). This will let your potential employer know that you are serious about this job and intend to do what is needed for the job.

You can list any relevant experience, whether it is professional or not. Have a CDL? List it. Cut firewood? List it and provide details. Demonstrating a willingness to learn and taking initiative will go a long way in the interview process. They are not looking for a forester, but being able to demonstrate some proficiency with tree identification would be a plus. Read up on fire mitigation techniques so that you are at least familiar with how things are done.

When you lack experience, you have to make up for it in other ways, such as enthusiasm, attitude, willingness to learn, and work ethic.

 

[Billy_Bob]

Use the same exact words as in your post above! That clearly communicates your experience. I especially like the part about safety and PPE.

Basically managers are busy people and they might get a stack of applications/resumes. They can read just like you and I. They don't want a bunch of BS or fancy cover letters and printing. Just the quick facts at the beginning of the resume so they get the point.

Then go into more detail below that. If you know chainsaw maintenance, include details. A BIG plus!

Might also mention you are applying for that specific position for that specific company at the top of the resume. Some people run off hundreds of resumes and send them everywhere. If you make it clear you are interested in that specific company and job, and have written your resume specifically for this, that is a big plus.

Then don't worry too much about trying to impress anyone with BS. Just include the facts and have no spelling errors and you will look great.

You would not believe the crap resumes/applications managers get! Every 5th word misspelled, etc., copies of copies of copies and the resume is skewed and blurry from being copied so many times. Or indicates they are looking for a different type of work than opening is for! Amazing!

 

[Farmall Guy]

another thing is try to keep the resume to 1 page 2 max (and list the big ticket items on the 1st page. I too would include your attitude about safety and PPE. As well as your willingness to learn. That order might not be bad either, shows that you view safety as your top priority, most companies share this value and dont want to hire someone who takes unnessesary chances.

Once you get an interview then you can elaborate on experiance and other details that are pluses but may not attract enough attention in a resume to get an interview.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[kbiv]

When you say mitigation, are you planning on being there for the suppressionpart,,or just the before and after? If so, definately plan on the red card classes for firefighting as well as the saw classes. Like they said CPR and first aid would be nice. You might want plan on the pack test. 45lbs in 45minutes. I do saw work for my vfd, so we skip a lot of the formal stuff. Ive had my states fs saw class, and some other experiance. Like it has been said, felling is a different world on the fireline. Get as much training as you can, stay awake during fire behavior, and stay alert and safe.