Chainsaw Operator (Timber Felling)

Timber keeps rural towns working, and a pine plantation near Ermelo is hiring crews. Good for someone who wants to build a solid track record they can put on their CV.

The site is in Ermelo; early starts mean public transport timing matters, so check your route before applying. Most weeks are 45 hours, in line with the BCEA.

• Clear and maintain firebreaks during the dry season
• Plant seedlings in prepared pits at the right spacing
• Sharpen and service chainsaws daily
• Fight veld fires with beaters and water packs under a crew leader
• Stack logs by length for loading onto trucks
• Prune lower branches with pruning saws and ladders
• Fell, debranch and cross-cut trees with a chainsaw

• Passes the medical check for fire crews
• Able to work in a crew and follow the crew leader
• Valid ID
• Follows safety rules strictly around machines and fires
• Available for early starts and fire-season standby

• Full safety gear provided
• Fire-season standby allowance
• Chainsaw and fire training at no cost
• Crew transport to plantations

• Say you are fit and do not mind remote sites. Many applicants drop out after the first week, so recruiters test commitment.
• Mention fire fighting experience, even as a volunteer. Fire protection crews look for it before winter.