Field Ecologist (Summer Position)

Kuntz Forestry Consulting Inc.; Barrie; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading forestry consulting firm in Barrie is seeking a Principal Registered Professional Forester to support field programs focusing on woodland assessments from April to September 2026. Ideal for summer students or recent graduates with field assessment experience. Responsibilities include data collection, identifying invasive species, and ensuring quality control of ecological data. Successful candidates will gain valuable hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced professionals, ideal for future roles in forestry and environmental consulting.

Benefits

Hands-on experience in ecology

Supervision by experienced professionals

Meaningful field experience

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed relevant diploma/degree.
• Comfortable with field data collection and outdoor work in varying weather.
• Strong ability to identify common tree/plant species with minimal reference.
• Proficient using Microsoft Office for data entry and communication.
• Valid Ontario full G driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with field assessments in natural areas and woodlots.
• Collect ecological and forestry field data.
• Identify and document invasive species and disturbances.
• Record observations using GPS tools.
• Complete data entry and assist with data quality control.

Skills

Field data collection

Plant identification

Attention to detail

Independent fieldwork

Use of GPS tools

Education

Diploma/Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Forestry, Natural Resources

Tools

Microsoft Office

GPS/GIS tools

Job description

Principal, Registered Professional Forester at Kuntz Forestry Consulting Inc.

Position Overview

KFCI is looking to hire a qualified person with an ecology background to support a major field program in the Barrie area, focused on woodland condition/forest assessments for April-September 2026.

The ideal candidate may be a summer student or recent graduate with demonstrated experience in field assessments and plant identification. The successful candidate may assist with other field assignments for a range of KFCI projects across southern Ontario as needed.

This role is ideal for someone who wants a hands‑on summer role that builds real‑world ecology and consulting experience, spending most days in the field, developing confidence in vegetation assessments.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with field assessments in natural areas and woodlots within the Barrie area.
• Assist senior staff with collection of ecological and forestry field data related to woodland condition, species composition, regeneration, and overall forest health.
• Assist senior staff with the identification and documentation of common invasive species, pests/diseases, and other disturbances.
• Record observations using GPS‑enabled field tools and capture clear field notes and photos as required.
• Follow established sampling methods (e.g., Ecological Land Classification) and other data collection protocols.
• Complete data entry (e.g., uploading/organizing GPS points, photos, and transferring field notes into spreadsheets and templates) and assist with basic QA/QC of collected data.

Other Field Assignments (as needed)

• Support additional KFCI projects with field tasks such as:
  • Tree inventories (e.g., locating and tagging trees, measuring DBH, recording species and condition, noting conflicts, and collecting GPS/photo documentation).
  • Other ecology/forestry‑related field support as assigned.
  • Maintain organized field records and submit progress updates as required.

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in (or recently completed) a diploma/degree program in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Forestry, Natural Resources, or a related field.
• Demonstrated comfort with field‑based data collection and working outdoors in variable weather and terrain.
• Strong field identification skills, including the ability to identify most common tree and plant species found in Southern Ontario (overstorey, understorey, and groundcover) with minimal reference.
• Ability to identify invasive plants and recognize common signs of forest pests/diseases (including ash decline indicators).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) for data entry, organization, and basic reporting/communication.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to follow standardized methods, templates, and data collection protocols.
• Valid Ontario full G driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle (required).
• Eligible to work in Canada.

Assets (Nice to Have)

• Familiarity with Ontario Ecological Land Classification (ELC).
• Experience with plot‑based field methods, vegetation surveys, or forestry/ecology inventories.
• Experience using GPS/GIS tools (e.g., handheld GPS units, ArcGIS Field Maps/Collector).
• Working proficiency with AutoCAD (e.g., viewing and marking up drawings, basic edits, and exporting figures).

What We Offer

What we offer is meaningful, resume‑building field experience on a large program in the Barrie area. You’ll be supervised/supported by experienced consulting professionals at all times and gain hands‑on skills in woodland assessments, Southern Ontario plant and tree identification (including invasives), GPS‑based field mapping, and organized field data collection, experience that translates well to future roles in ecology, forestry, and environmental consulting. If this sounds like the kind of summer role you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you! Please apply with your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant field experience and availability.

Seniority level

• Internship

Employment type

• Contract

Job function

• Research, Analyst, and Information Technology