Description

Forestry technologists and technicians may work independently or perform technical and supervisory functions in support of forestry research, forest management, forest harvesting, forest resource conservation and environmental protection. They are employed by the forest industry sector, provincial and federal governments, consulting firms, and other industries and institutions, or they may be self-employed.

Job Titles

• Conservation technician – forestry
• Cruising technician – forestry
• Enforcement officer – forestry
• Extension ranger – forestry
• Fire suppression officer – forestry
• Forest fire technician
• Forest inventory resource officer
• Forest survey technician
• Forest technician
• Forestry technician
• Forestry technologist
• Resource technician – forestry
• Scaler technician – logging
• Scaling coordinator – logging
• Silviculture technician

Main Duties

• Conduct, supervise and participate in forest inventory cruises, surveys and field measurements following accepted scientific and operational procedures
• Assist and perform technical functions in the preparation of forest management and harvest plans using photogrammetric and mapping techniques and computerized information systems
• Assist in planning and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads
• Implement, supervise and perform technical functions in silvicultural operations involving site preparation, planting, and tending of tree crops
• Coordinate activities such as timber scaling, forest fire suppression, disease or insect control or pre-commercial thinning of forest stands
• Supervise and perform technical functions in forest harvesting operations
• Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors and enforce regulations such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety and accident prevention
• Provide forestry education, advice and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations and the general public
• Develop and maintain computer databases
• Supervise forest tree nursery operations
• Provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.

Workplaces

• Consulting firms
• Federal government
• Forest industry
• Provincial government
• Self-employed

Skills

• Coordinating
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Digital Literacy
• Evaluation

Abilities

• Far Vision
• Spatial Orientation
• Stamina
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Auditory Attention

Personal Attributes

• Adaptability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Active Learning

Similar Occupations

• Forestry professionals (21111)
• Biological technologists and technicians (22110)
• Conservation and fishery officers (22113)
• Supervisors, logging and forestry (82010)

Source: OaSIS