What You'll Do

  • Evaluate log characteristics and determine grades, using established criteria.
  • Record data about individual trees or load volumes into tally books or hand-held collection terminals.
  • Paint identification marks of specified colors on logs to identify grades or species, using spray cans, or call out grades to log markers.
  • Measure felled logs or loads of pulpwood to calculate volume, weight, dimensions, and marketable value, using measuring devices and conversion tables.
  • Measure log lengths and mark boles for bucking into logs, according to specifications.
  • Identify logs of substandard or special grade so that they can be returned to shippers, regraded, recut, or transferred for other processing.
  • Jab logs with metal ends of scale sticks, and inspect logs to ascertain characteristics or defects such as water damage, splits, knots, broken ends, rotten areas, twists, and curves.
  • Drive to sawmills, wharfs, or skids to inspect logs or pulpwood.
  • Communicate with coworkers by signals to direct log movement.
  • Weigh log trucks before and after unloading, and record load weights and supplier identities.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.25/5
Critical Thinking 3.25/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Writing 3.0/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 2.88/5
Operations Monitoring 2.88/5
Time Management 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Integrity, Perseverance

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Oral Comprehension 3.38/5
Oral Expression 3.38/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.25/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.25/5
Category Flexibility 3.25/5
Written Expression 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

AS/400 Database Atterbury Consultants SuperACE/FLIPS Customer relationship management CRM software Enterprise resource planning ERP software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software Word processing software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.65/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.39/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.02/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.01/5)
  • Perseverance (High importance: 3.53/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Check Scaler Compounding Scaler Deck Scaler Deck Specialist Decker Deckman Landing Scaler Log Buyer Log Check Scaler Log Grader Log Marker Log Scaler Log Sorter Lumber Grader Materials Inspector Pond Scaler Pondman Raw Materials Inspector Scale Technician Scaler Timber Buyer Timber Estimator Veneer Grader Weighing Inspection Inspector

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.