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Find a great jobForestry is B.C.’s biggest employer, directly accounting for about 80,000 jobs in all parts of the province. This includes people who help protect and manage forests, such as fire fighters, forest technicians, professional foresters and agrologists. It also includes people who work in the wood products or manufacturing sector, from accountants to mill managers. Whatever you want to be, you can be great at it in forestry. The British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range is the single largest employer of forest professionals in B.C. Check out the jobs we are filling right now: Job descriptions:
Summer/Temporary jobsSilviculture SurveyorAnnual salary range: $35,000 – $54,000Surveyors assess the quality and progress of newly regenerating forests. Before any trees are harvested, the silviculturist reviews the area and determines ways to ensure the area will be reforested with the appropriate tree species. The silviculturist then monitors the growth of the young forest to maintain its health. Jobs are available at both the technical (Scientific/Technical Officer) and professional (Licensed Science Officer) level. Skills required: technical and professional skills, effective communication skills, and ability to work with a variety of people. Requires at least a forest technology diploma. Block Layout/Timber Cruising TechnicianAnnual salary range: $35,000 – $54,000Block layout/timber cruising technicians do the legwork to lay out the boundaries of cutblocks and tree stands. They also take inventory to determine how much timber is within them. Based on their reports, professional foresters can decide where to build roads and how to best manage a tree stand. Requires forest technology diploma. Forest Protection OfficerAnnual salary range: $45,000 – $58,000Fire suppression officers help protect forest and range resources, life, property and other natural resources from wildfire. They control and extinguish fires and ensure rehabilitation (regrowth) of fire-damaged areas. They participate in the organizational structure used to manage the expected number, distribution and intensity of wildfires. Jobs are available at both the technical (Scientific/Technical Officer) and professional (Licensed Science Officer) level. Skills required: able to withstand fieldwork, possess effective communication skills, and make sound decisions in critical situations. Forest FirefighterAnnual salary range: $20,000 – $30,000Firefighters work in the heat and smoke at the front lines in the attack on wildfires. Employment is seasonal. Jobs are available as Scientific/Technical Officers. Skills required: able to withstand fieldwork, possess effective communication skills, make sound decisions in critical situations and pass fitness tests to meet required physical standards. Check out the sections "Become a wildfire fighter," "Recognized S100 Basic Fire Suppression and Safety Instructors" and "Seasonal Employment Opportunities BiologistAnnual salary range: $35,000 – $60,000Biologists study forest plants and animals, and assist professional foresters in developing forest management plans. Requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology. Registered Professional ForesterAnnual salary range: $50,000 – $93,000Professional foresters manage British Columbia's forest resources, including making decisions such as when, where and how to log and reforest areas. They also ensure the protection of forest values including fish, wildlife and water. Foresters prepare short and long-term plans for managing forest resources, and make sure all activity complies with government and industry regulations. Requires bachelor’s or master’s degree in forestry and registration with the Association of BC Forest Professionals. Forest Technologist and Registered Forest TechnologistAnnual salary range: $40,000 – $70,000On-the-ground fieldwork is the area of expertise for forest technologists. They assist and perform technical functions in laying out cutblocks and roads, and perform compliance and enforcement activities. Registered forest techs work in areas of silviculture, forest protection, forest operations and forest measurements. Requires two-year forestry diploma. Some positions will require registration with the Association of BC Forest Professionals. Road Systems EngineerAnnual salary range: $38,900 - $64,500Much of B.C.’s annual timber harvest is hauled out to sawmills on logging roads. Road systems engineers are responsible for the planning, location, design, construction, maintenance and removal of logging roads. They assist or supply expertise in the practices of road construction, bridge construction and determining stream peak flows for culvert and bridge design. Jobs are available at both the technical (Scientific/Technical Officer) and professional (Licensed Science Officer) level. Skills Required: A diploma or degree in engineering, effective communication skills, imagination, creativity, and a valid driver’s licence. Log ScalerAnnual salary range: $43,000 – $62,000Scalers inspect logs and assign a grade according to the quality of the timber. They weigh and measure logs, and estimate market value. Requires certification as a scaler. Jobs are available at both the technical (Scientific/Technical Officer) and professional (Licensed Science Officer) level. Skills required: combination of fieldwork, interaction with scalers and scale site operations, and analysis, interpretation, reporting and administration of scale data. Radio Communications OperatorAnnual salary range: $47,000 – $58,000Radio communications operators keep truck and heavy-duty equipment traffic – such as that used in wildfire fighting -- moving efficiently. Compliance and Enforcement OfficerAnnual salary range: $33,400 – $44,600Compliance and enforcement officers enforce federal and provincial forestry regulations that are in place to protect forest resources. They are responsible for inspecting and monitoring the activities of the industry under various acts and regulations. Jobs are available at both the technical (Scientific/Technical Officer) and professional (Licensed Science Officer) level. Skills required: ability to work alone in the outdoors, high degree of judgment and tact, effective oral and written communication skills, the ability to work with a variety of people, sound decision making skills, an understanding of criminal and administrative law and a valid driver’s licence. Natural Resource Policy AnalystAnnual salary range: $35,500 – $70,000Natural resource policy analysts conduct research, prepare reports, provide consultation and advice, and administer programs in a variety of areas related to forestry and silviculture. Requires a bachelor's degree or master's degree in a related science. Financial OfficerAnnual salary range: $37,000 – $68,000Financial officers collect and analyze financial information such as economic forecasts and the historical and future trends of stocks. Requires a degree in business administration. Administration OfficerAnnual salary range: $32,000 – $42,000Administration officers oversee administrative procedures, establish work priorities and co-ordinate the acquisition of office space and supplies. Skills required: working knowledge of office processes and skill in word processing, filing and dealing with the public. Computer skills are essential. Administrative AssistantAnnual salary range: $32, 000 – $43, 000Administrative Assistants perform word processing, records management, reception, and contract administration duties. Skills required: working knowledge of office processes and skill in word processing, filing and dealing with the public. Computer skills are essential. Research OfficerAnnual salary range: $36, 000 – $70, 000Research Officers are professionals including foresters, biologists, agrologists and geoscientists who conduct research aimed at improving forest and range practices. They address issues such as biodiversity, silviculture, tree improvement, growth and yield, ecology, hydrology, soil conservation and wildlife habitat. Jobs are available at both the technical (Scientific/Technical Officer) and professional (Licensed Science Officer) level. Range OfficerAnnual salary range: $30, 000 – $65, 000Range Officers monitor rangeland to determine when it is ready for livestock. They also determine animal distribution. Jobs are available at both the technical (Scientific/Technical Officer) and professional (Licensed Science Officer) level. Skills required: ability to work outdoors with a wide variety of people, interest in plants and animals, and a valid driver’s license. Summer/Temporary jobsFirefightersThe forest firefighting branch of the Ministry of Forests and Range is called the Protection Program. Every spring about 1,000 seasonal firefighters are hired to work from May to September. Most of these positions are filled by firefighters who worked the previous summer, but there are some openings for new crew members every year. Competition for these jobs is fierce – on average 1,500 people apply every year. (The deadline for applications is in January.) A number of these applicants are invited to attend "new recruit boot camp." During the eight-day camps, recruits are tested for their fitness levels, and receive theoretical and practical training. At the end of the camp, top candidates may be offered positions depending on the number of vacancies that particular year. Typical duties for fire crew members include:
To learn more about becoming a B.C. Forest Service firefighter, or to apply, visit the Protection Program website at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/protect/ Contract firefightersIn addition to its own fire crews, the Ministry signs contracts with private companies to provide some firefighting services, such as "mop up." Once a fire is under control, mop up crews put out smouldering material, clear away rotten logs and stumps from the fire line, and search for roots that are burning near the fire line. The Ministry sets the standards for the crews provided by these private companies. Specifically, crew members must be physically fit, trained and fire-ready for expanded attack, mop up and patrol. Contractors do their own recruitment, and set their own rules for hiring, firing, pay and benefits. Many contractors have experienced employees they hire year after year, although they may also hire new employees occasionally. The amount of work each contractor receives depends on the fire season – if there are more fires, there is more work. On average, there may be 12-15 days of work a season. Most contractors are based in the Southern Interior because that’s where the busiest fire centres are located. If you are interested in applying for work with a private crew, you will have to contact the contractor directly. Lists of fire contractors MAY be available by contacting the regional fire centres. For more information on forest firefighting in B.C., visit the Protection Program website at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/protect/ Co-op programsUniversity and college students enrolled in co-op programs may be able to obtain work terms at the Ministry of Forests and Range or other government ministries. Co-operative education programs allow students to alternate academic terms on campus with relevant, paid, full-time work experience. The Ministry has hired co-op students from various faculties, including social sciences, public administration, electronics and forestry. For more information contact your institution’s co-op education office, or visit the Association for Co-operative Education in British Columbia/Yukon website at: http://www.co-op.bc.ca/ Tree plantersThe Ministry of Forests and Range does not hire tree planters directly. These services are provided by silvicultural contractors, which are private companies that provide tree planting, spacing/pruning and nursery services to forest companies and government. Tree planting is seasonal and dependent on weather conditions. The season usually begins on the Coast in February or March, and in the Interior in April. Planting in all regions is normally completed by July. However, some summer and fall planting may also occur. Silvicultural companies in B.C. are represented by the Western Silvicultural Contractors' Association. Visit their website at: http://www.wsca.ca/ Temporary or short-term workThe Ministry occasionally requires temporary or short-term employees. These are referred to as "auxiliary" postings to distinguish them from the regular, permanent jobs. Most positions require a certificate, diploma, or degree in a related field, plus relevant work experience. For more information on how to apply for temporary, seasonal or auxiliary work, visit the B.C. Public Service Agency website at: http://www.bcpublicservice.ca/postings/ Forestry Facts — Did You Know?
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