Forester Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Forester roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, requiring a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field. Federal agencies, state forestry departments, and timber companies all sponsor. Geographic placement matters: remote positions on federal lands often have longer LCA certification timelines.
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Utility Forester Work Planner - Non Union – PSE
This position provides planning, scheduling, reporting, and project management for utility right-of-way vegetation management programs.
Job Type:
- Full-Time +, Non-Exempt
Pay:
- $18.50 - $22.00 per hour / Depending on experience and Certifications.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one
- Company-provided life insurance
- Supplemental life insurance with spouse and child coverage options
- Short and Long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Accounts
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Identity Theft Protection Plan
- Pre-paid legal plan
- Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident plans
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Various employee discount programs and resources
- 401(k)
- 7 paid holidays
- 40 hours of vacation time with accrual beginning after 90 days of employment
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
- Inspect rights-of-way to assess vegetation conditions and determine required maintenance activities.
- Assist with developing bid package maps and work manifests.
- Research easement and land rights for widths, rights, and restrictions.
- Meet with landowners to explain vegetation management work.
- Mark work in the field where required.
- Respond to public concerns and questions about the work.
- Assist in the development of public relations materials.
- Respond to contractor questions concerning work specifications and requirements.
- Inspect work completed by contractors for compliance with utility specifications.
- Assist in the management of contractors during storm restoration operations.
- Provide support and assistance on special projects as assigned by the utility.
- Obtains oral or written permission from property owners to trim or remove trees and apply herbicides.
- Discuss access obtainment, power interruption, work to be done, etc., with the customer or property owner.
- Discuss responsibility for apparent property damage, and repairs for minor damage, and refer controversial cases to the General Foreperson.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must be able to identify local trees and vegetation and their growth rates.
- Ability to safely operate and secure company-issued vehicle and gas card for use to, during, and from work area of responsibility.
- Working knowledge of MS Office and the ability to learn other software programs as required.
Education & Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Work experience in forestry-related fields preferred.
Pre-Screen:
- Upon offer, employees may be required to complete and pass a pre-employment drug screen, background, and/or MVR check.
License & Certifications:
- A valid Driver's license is required.
- ISA Certification is preferred.
Travel Requirements:
- Must have transportation to and from the show-up location.
- Travels from Job site to job site as frequently as necessary.
Physical Requirements:
- RARE (less than 10%): stooping, kneeling, squatting, body-twisting, crawling, climbing poles, color vision, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing ladders, climbing stairs, lifting over 10 lbs. to 50 lbs., lifting up to 50 lbs.
- OCCASIONAL (up to 33%): sitting, manual dexterity, climbing on/off truck, gripping, reaching, range of motion, carrying, balancing, lifting up to 50 lbs.
- FREQUENT (up to 66%): standing, walking, sense of touch, seeing distant, hearing-speech range, depth perception.
- CONTINUOUS (up to 100%): seeing, speaking clearly.
Safety:
Due to the inherently dangerous nature of the industry and requirements to work with or around hazardous equipment, employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools, be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods, be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, be able to wear personal protective equipment as necessary, be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day, have the endurance necessary to traverse various terrain, be capable of performing job duties throughout a standard 8- or 10-hour day, be able to communicate with others, read, write, and comprehend written/verbal job instructions and information, and communicate and handle conflict professionally.
- Works in all temperatures and weather and will be exposed to nature, i.e., irritating plants and biting or stinging insects, dust, etc.
- May work around excessive noise from machines, chainsaws, woodchippers, and other equipment with hearing protection.
- May work on unlevel terrain.
- May be exposed to dogs and other animals.
Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation can contact the ADA Coordinator by calling 1-833-222-3066. We partner with the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Immigration Service to e-Verify all newly hired employees.
Important Information for Applicants: Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC and its family of companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic.
- If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 1-800-248-8733, ext. 3656.
- Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, which include background screening, drug testing, and employment eligibility verification.
- Compensation determination is based on market data, job scope and individual qualifications.
- We offer a competitive total rewards package inclusive of health and welfare and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off and holiday pay benefits.
- Unsolicited resumes without an executed agency agreement become the property of the company.
Description
Utility Forester Work Planner - Non Union – PSE
This position provides planning, scheduling, reporting, and project management for utility right-of-way vegetation management programs.
Job Type:
- Full-Time +, Non-Exempt
Pay:
- $18.50 - $22.00 per hour / Depending on experience and Certifications.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one
- Company-provided life insurance
- Supplemental life insurance with spouse and child coverage options
- Short and Long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Accounts
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Identity Theft Protection Plan
- Pre-paid legal plan
- Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident plans
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Various employee discount programs and resources
- 401(k)
- 7 paid holidays
- 40 hours of vacation time with accrual beginning after 90 days of employment
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
- Inspect rights-of-way to assess vegetation conditions and determine required maintenance activities.
- Assist with developing bid package maps and work manifests.
- Research easement and land rights for widths, rights, and restrictions.
- Meet with landowners to explain vegetation management work.
- Mark work in the field where required.
- Respond to public concerns and questions about the work.
- Assist in the development of public relations materials.
- Respond to contractor questions concerning work specifications and requirements.
- Inspect work completed by contractors for compliance with utility specifications.
- Assist in the management of contractors during storm restoration operations.
- Provide support and assistance on special projects as assigned by the utility.
- Obtains oral or written permission from property owners to trim or remove trees and apply herbicides.
- Discuss access obtainment, power interruption, work to be done, etc., with the customer or property owner.
- Discuss responsibility for apparent property damage, and repairs for minor damage, and refer controversial cases to the General Foreperson.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must be able to identify local trees and vegetation and their growth rates.
- Ability to safely operate and secure company-issued vehicle and gas card for use to, during, and from work area of responsibility.
- Working knowledge of MS Office and the ability to learn other software programs as required.
Education & Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Work experience in forestry-related fields preferred.
Pre-Screen:
- Upon offer, employees may be required to complete and pass a pre-employment drug screen, background, and/or MVR check.
License & Certifications:
- A valid Driver's license is required.
- ISA Certification is preferred.
Travel Requirements:
- Must have transportation to and from the show-up location.
- Travels from Job site to job site as frequently as necessary.
Physical Requirements:
- RARE (less than 10%): stooping, kneeling, squatting, body-twisting, crawling, climbing poles, color vision, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing ladders, climbing stairs, lifting over 10 lbs. to 50 lbs., lifting up to 50 lbs.
- OCCASIONAL (up to 33%): sitting, manual dexterity, climbing on/off truck, gripping, reaching, range of motion, carrying, balancing, lifting up to 50 lbs.
- FREQUENT (up to 66%): standing, walking, sense of touch, seeing distant, hearing-speech range, depth perception.
- CONTINUOUS (up to 100%): seeing, speaking clearly.
Safety:
Due to the inherently dangerous nature of the industry and requirements to work with or around hazardous equipment, employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools, be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods, be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, be able to wear personal protective equipment as necessary, be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day, have the endurance necessary to traverse various terrain, be capable of performing job duties throughout a standard 8- or 10-hour day, be able to communicate with others, read, write, and comprehend written/verbal job instructions and information, and communicate and handle conflict professionally.
- Works in all temperatures and weather and will be exposed to nature, i.e., irritating plants and biting or stinging insects, dust, etc.
- May work around excessive noise from machines, chainsaws, woodchippers, and other equipment with hearing protection.
- May work on unlevel terrain.
- May be exposed to dogs and other animals.
Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation can contact the ADA Coordinator by calling 1-833-222-3066. We partner with the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Immigration Service to e-Verify all newly hired employees.
Important Information for Applicants: Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC and its family of companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic.
- If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 1-800-248-8733, ext. 3656.
- Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, which include background screening, drug testing, and employment eligibility verification.
- Compensation determination is based on market data, job scope and individual qualifications.
- We offer a competitive total rewards package inclusive of health and welfare and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off and holiday pay benefits.
- Unsolicited resumes without an executed agency agreement become the property of the company.
See all Forester Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Forester roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Forester Jobs
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
Foresters need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources management, or a directly related field. A general environmental science degree can work, but you'll need transcripts showing relevant coursework. USCIS scrutinizes degree-to-role fit closely in natural resource petitions.
Target federal and state agency employers
The U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and state forestry divisions file H-1B and sometimes H-2B petitions for foresters. Federal employers aren't subject to the H-1B lottery if they qualify as cap-exempt, so your odds of sponsorship improve significantly with public-sector targets.
Search verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Find forestry employers with confirmed LCA filing history on Migrate Mate, searchable by role and location. This saves you from cold-applying to private timber companies that have never sponsored, which rarely leads anywhere productive for work visa candidates.
Get your SAF credentials in order early
Society of American Foresters membership or Certified Forester designation strengthens your petition by demonstrating the role meets professional standards. Employers filing LCAs for foresters often include your professional credentials in the supporting documentation sent to DOL.
Confirm the LCA wage tier before accepting an offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for foresters in the specific county where you'll work. Wages vary sharply between rural federal land areas and timber industry hubs. An offer below the Level I prevailing wage won't survive DOL certification.
Understand PERM timelines for green card sponsorship
Many federal and state forestry employers willing to sponsor for H-1B will also run PERM labor certification for EB-2 or EB-3 green cards. PERM for foresters requires a detailed recruitment process, so expect 12 to 18 months from PERM filing to I-140 approval under normal DOL processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a forester role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes, forestry qualifies as a specialty occupation when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources management, silviculture, or a closely related field. USCIS evaluates degree-to-role alignment carefully, so your employer's job description must specify the degree requirement. General land management or technician roles without a degree requirement won't qualify.
Which visa types realistically cover forester roles?
H-1B is the primary option for professional foresters with a qualifying degree. TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals if the role fits the USMCA forester category. J-1 visa covers trainee and research positions through a designated sponsor organization. H-2B visa applies only to seasonal non-professional forestry labor, not to degreed forester positions.
Do federal agency forester jobs offer visa sponsorship?
Some do, particularly the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for permanent professional positions. Federal agencies can be cap-exempt for H-1B, which removes the lottery risk entirely. Hiring timelines are slower than private sector, and positions are tied to federal budget cycles, but sponsorship through a federal employer is often more stable long-term.
How do I find forestry employers who have actually sponsored before?
Migrate Mate shows employers with verified LCA filing history for forestry and natural resource roles, so you can focus your applications on companies that have already navigated the sponsorship process. This is especially useful in forestry, where many smaller timber companies or consulting firms have never filed for a foreign national and may decline to start.
Does a three-year forestry degree from outside the U.S. qualify for H-1B?
It can, but USCIS requires a credential evaluation showing your degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Many three-year degrees from Australia, Canada, or the UK are accepted with a positive evaluation from a recognized credential assessment service. Your employer should include the evaluation report in the H-1B petition to avoid a Request for Evidence on educational equivalency.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Forester jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.