Chainsaw Operator (Timber Felling)

You'll plant, prune and fell trees for a forestry contractor in the hills near Lephalale. Good for someone who wants to build a solid track record they can put on their CV.

This post is Lephalale-based, with most of your time spent at a forestry contractor. Most weeks are 45 hours, in line with the BCEA.

• Prune lower branches with pruning saws and ladders
• Plant seedlings in prepared pits at the right spacing
• Apply herbicide around young trees as instructed
• Clear and maintain firebreaks during the dry season
• Fell, debranch and cross-cut trees with a chainsaw

• Available for early starts and fire-season standby
• Follows safety rules strictly around machines and fires
• Valid ID
• Willing to work in remote areas

• Previous plantation or sawmill experience
• First-aid training

• Full safety gear provided
• Fire-season standby allowance
• 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.