Forest Industry Development Advisor

ONresources | RichessesON; Sault Ste. Marie; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension plan

Maternity and parental leave benefits

Life and disability insurance

Flexible work arrangements

Professional growth opportunities

Career growth and development

On-the-job training

Job summary

A government agency in Ontario seeks a Finance and Economics Professional to provide strategic advice to forestry businesses. You will analyze funding applications, assess business plans, and ensure sustainable growth in the forest sector. Ideal candidates have strong analytical skills, relationship management expertise, and a valid driver's license. This includes competitive compensation and benefits such as a defined pension plan and flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills to evaluate options.
• Ability to build relationships with forestry businesses and government partners.
• Proven ability to summarize complex issues for senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Analyze ministry business arrangements with the forest industry.
• Support investment and sustainable growth in Ontario's forest sector.
• Evaluate funding applications for government programs.
• Help deliver and improve government funding programs for forestry businesses.
• Support policy development and implementation related to Ontario's forest sector.

Skills

Business analysis

Financial analysis

Relationship management

Research skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Valid class 'G' driver's licence

Tools

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Job description

Attention Finance and Economics Professionals!

Turn financial insight into real-world impact—support strategic decisions at Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources. In this role, you will be a trusted advisor to forestry businesses—helping them turn investment ideas into viable projects and long‑term growth. From reviewing financial statements and business plans to evaluating funding applications for capital investments, your analysis will directly inform government decisions. You'll support program delivery while building strong relationships across industry and government. Bring your financial insight, relationship‑building skills, and political savvy to this exciting position.

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:

• a defined benefit pension plan
• maternity and parental leave top‑up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• life and disability insurance
• flexible work arrangements
• collegial and professional work culture
• career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• on‑the‑job training to support your success in the role

About the job

Working with forestry businesses and government partners to support investment, competitiveness, and sustainable growth across Ontario's forest sector, you will:

• analyse and advise on ministry business arrangements and relationships with the forest industry
• be a key point of contact for stakeholders on new investment opportunities, mill closures, and modernization projects
• assess business plans, financial information, and investment proposals, and provide clear recommendations to support decision‑making
• help deliver and improve government funding programs for forestry businesses
• support policy development and implementation related to Ontario's forest sector
• lead and contribute to cross‑regional teams addressing high‑priority industry and community issues

Please note that this position will require some occasional travel.

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

You must have a valid class 'G' driver's licence or equivalent, as recognized by the Province of Ontario. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's licence upon being hired.

Specialized knowledge, research, and analytical expertise:

• demonstrated experience applying business, financial, and economic analysis to assess business plans, financial statements, and capital investment proposals
• strong research skills to gather, validate, and synthesize information from multiple sources (e.g., market intelligence, industry data, jurisdictional scans, stakeholder input) to inform advice and recommendations
• strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify risks, evaluate options, and recommend practical, defensible solutions
• ability to interpret and apply relevant legislative and policy frameworks, including regulations, procedures, and program requirements, to support the delivery of funding programs for Ontario's forest industry
• knowledge of the forest industry, including its regional and global economic significance, emerging trends, and factors affecting Ontario's competitiveness

Relationship management and communication skills:

• strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with forestry businesses, industry associations, and government partners
• proven ability to facilitate discussions, influence outcomes, and achieve results through collaboration and advisory support
• strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare clear, concise briefing materials (e.g., funding recommendations, decision notes, briefing notes) and present complex issues to senior leadership

Professional and leadership skills:

• strong political acuity, with the judgement and discretion to navigate sensitive issues, competing priorities, and public interest considerations
• strong project management, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills, with the initiative to work independently and manage multiple priorities under pressure
• proficiency with common office software (word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations)

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code‑protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti‑racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti‑Racism Policy

Additional information

Address:

Compensation Group:

Understanding the job ad - definitions

Schedule:

3‑A

Category:

Lands and Resources

Posted on:

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Note:

• N‑NR‑240161/26

How to apply:

• You must apply online.
• Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
• Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
• Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
• OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
• If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry‑specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre‑determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember:

The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 12, 2026 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.

The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.

Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code.