Beamter/Beamtin im Forstdienst (höherer Dienst)

Learning locations include: Educational institutions of public administration, e.g., forestry education centers of the federal states (Bundesland): classrooms or training rooms. Forest offices and administrations, forest enterprises, nature conservation institutions: offices, outdoors.

Occupation type: Civil servant training; different career titles exist in individual federal states (Bundesland). Type of training: Preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), regulated by federal state ordinances. Duration of preparatory service: 2 years. Minimum prerequisite for admission to preparatory service: Usually a completed master's degree (Masterstudium). Learning locations: Forestry education centers of the federal states (Bundesland), forest offices and administrations, forest enterprises, nature conservation institutions. Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher forestry service manage the forests of the federal states and municipalities and are in leadership positions, e.g., as head of a forest office or area manager, responsible for achieving operational, economic, and silvicultural goals. They plan measures for long-term forest development as well as for the protection and maintenance of the forest and its infrastructure, to preserve the special social and ecological function of the forests. In doing so, they also consider specific challenges.

2 years

In the selection process, personal and professional suitability is assessed, for example, through a written and an oral examination part, as well as a practical examination part in the forest.

Structure of a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) in the higher forestry service: Forest management and site mapping at the central office of the forest administration: 3.5 months. Forest office period: 14 months. Internal service at the central office of the forest administration: 2 months. Courses at the Forestry Education Center: 2.5 months. Travel time and volunteering (Volontariat) in a profession-related organization: 2 months. Career or Great Forestry State Examination. Total training duration: 2 years.

Course fees are not charged. Travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also occur.

The theoretical and practical content of this vocational training (Ausbildung) includes areas such as forest policy and law, timber provision and sales, personnel management, operational management, and forest landscape development. During the training period and voluntary service (Volontariat), typical tasks in forestry and timber industry companies or nature conservation institutions are learned.

During this vocational training (Ausbildung), one should be prepared for certain conditions and requirements. In the theoretical training phases, attending lectures, working independently (e.g., preparing for lectures, researching in libraries), and organizational skills (e.g., meeting deadlines) are important. In the practical training phases, participating in practical work under guidance (e.g., handling matters of the forest enterprise) and working in forestry or nature conservation organizations during the voluntary service (Volontariat) are expected. It is important to develop key qualifications such as problem-solving, organizational, and leadership skills.

The exemplary monthly gross basic salary for a prospective civil servant is 1,726 €. This information is based on the Bundesland (federal state) salary laws. In addition to the basic salary, asset-building benefits, family allowances, and other additional payments may be included.

For this vocational training (Ausbildung), an advanced university degree (Studium), typically in forestry science or forestry economics, is generally required.

In-depth knowledge in areas such as management/organization (e.g., to efficiently organize administration in forest authorities) and employee leadership and guidance (e.g., to maintain employee motivation and satisfaction) are good prerequisites for a successful preparatory service.

Alternative professions for a civil servant in the higher forestry service include a civil servant in the higher agricultural service or a civil servant in general internal administration (higher non-technical service). The commonality of these professions is planning and organizing administrative processes.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the higher forestry service takes place as a Vorbereitungsdienst (preparatory service). It lasts two years and is regulated by the ordinances of the Bundesländer (federal states). The training concludes with a Laufbahnprüfung (career examination) or the Große forstliche Staatsprüfung (Great Forestry State Examination). Typically, at least a Masterstudium (master's degree) is required.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) is legally regulated in the mentioned Bundesländer (federal states) and leads to the following Abschluss-/Berufsbezeichnungen (qualification/job titles): Bavaria: State-Certified Forest Assessor; Brandenburg, Hesse, Saxony: Forest Assessor; Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Assessor of Agricultural and Environmental Services (Forest); Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia: Assessor of Forestry Service. The career path is also established in the following Bundesländer (federal states) where no specific qualification/job titles exist: Baden-Württemberg, Berlin. The career titles are: Civil Servant - Forestry Service (higher service), Civil Servant - Forestry Service (career group 2, second entry level), Civil Servant - Forestry Service (career group 2, second entry level), Civil Servant - Forestry Service (fourth qualification level), Civil Servant - Forestry Service (fourth entry level).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), civil servants in the higher forestry service primarily work at forest offices, agricultural and environmental authorities, and forestry research institutes. They can keep their expertise current or update it through adaptive further training. The range of topics extends from forestry to employee leadership. With suitable qualifications, civil servants in the higher forestry service have the opportunity to advance professionally by participating in internal administrative further training courses.

The Vorbereitungsdienst (preparatory service) for civil servant careers is regulated by the Bundesländer (federal states) in their own ordinances. The respective provisions may differ. In Baden-Württemberg, there is the Ordinance of the Ministry of Rural Areas on the Establishment of Career Paths (Laufbahnverordnung MLR - LVO-MLR) from 11.04.2014 (BW.GBl. S. 220), last amended by Article 3 of the Ordinance from 30.11.2023 (BW.GBl. 2023 S. 442). In Bavaria, there is the Ordinance on the Professional Focus Forestry Service (Fachverordnung Forst - FachV-Forst) from 02.07.2010 (Bay.GVBl. S. 380), last amended by Ordinance from 15.11.2024 (Bay.GVBl. S. 590). In Berlin, there is the Ordinance on the Career Paths of Civil Servants in Technical Services (Laufbahnverordnung technische Dienste - LVO-TD) from 21.01.2014 (Ber.GVBl. S. 23), last amended by Article 12 of the Law from 24.02.2025 (Ber.GVBl. S. 134). In Brandenburg, there is the Ordinance on Training and Examination for the Career Path of the Higher and Senior Forestry Service (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung Fors).

Typically, a successfully completed Masterstudium (master's degree) or an equivalent recognized university degree in forestry science or forestry economics is required. Furthermore, the following may be required for access to the Ausbildung (vocational training): health suitability (fitness for forestry service), possession of a valid hunting license, possession of a Class B driver's license, proof of expertise according to the Plant Protection Expertise Ordinance, and practical experience, such as proof of at least a four-week forestry internship.