Forest Technologist

The University of British Columbia; Williams Lake; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia in Williams Lake, BC seeks a Forest Technologist to manage UBC’s forest license operations, supervise contractors, maintain GIS data, and support research through harvesting, regeneration, and reporting.

You will provide technical guidance to researchers, faculty, students, and visiting scientists; supervise seasonal staff; and ensure safety and compliance with forestry standards and policies across the Research Forest and region.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum two years related forestry experience.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Post-Harvest Regeneration Obligations: plan and implement regeneration activities, manage contracts, review work, monitor programs.
• Harvesting Operations: assist in planning, design, information collection, develop timber prescriptions, supervise operations and budgets.
• Teaching and Extension: provide technical guidance to visitors, support field education, present at events.
• Other Duties: monitor safety, recruit/train staff, ensure compliance and policy updates.
• Consequence of Error/Judgement: manage prescriptions and harvesting to meet standards and avoid liabilities.
• Supervision Received: report to Director, participate in planning meetings.
• Supervision Given: train and supervise seasonal staff and contracts.

Skills

Contractor supervision

GIS mapping

Data management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree

Forestry diploma

Tools

GIS software

Database applications

Job description

Job Title

Forest Technologist, Level A

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Director, the Forest Technologist will be responsible for all operational aspects of managing UBC’s forest license. This includes data collection and management, contractor supervision, GIS mapping, reporting, and making recommendations related to forest harvesting, regeneration, and research. The role provides guidance and technical consultation to researchers, faculty, students, and visiting scientists to support research conducted within the Research Forest and across the region.

Responsibilities

• Post‑Harvest Regeneration Obligations: Plan and implement forest regeneration activities required to meet management objectives and legal requirements; manage contracts, select contractors, review work, and maintain monitoring programs.
• Harvesting Operations: Provide input into pre‑harvest planning, assist in design and information collection, support the development of timber harvesting prescriptions, and implement harvesting operations while achieving site objectives. Select and supervise harvesting systems and contractors, ensure log quality control, and prepare budgets, production schedules, and reports.
• Teaching and Extension: Provide technical guidance to visitors, support field education programs, present at public and professional events, and communicate operational program information to diverse audiences.
• Other Duties: Monitor contract worker safety, identify unsafe conditions, resolve contract compliance problems, recommend policy improvements, keep current with regulations, recruit, train, and supervise temporary staff, and serve as a substitute for the Director when required.
• Consequence of Error/Judgement: Manage application of prescriptions and harvesting to meet forestry standards and policies, preventing financial viability threats, environmental, legal and financial liabilities, and ensuring safety and security of all persons and projects.
• Supervision Received: Report to the Director, collaborate in planning meetings, and refer policy or liability matters to the Director.
• Supervision Given: Train and supervise seasonal, temporary staff and volunteers, and supervise professional and technical contracts for compliance and performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including those in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrated commitment to enhancing awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a forestry diploma program and a minimum of five (5) years of related experience, including practical and theoretical knowledge of forest planning and operations and related legislation and reporting systems in British Columbia.
• Accreditation as a Silviculture Surveyor and/or Registration as a Forest Technologist.
• Familiarity with a wide range of Silviculture systems and logging methods.
• Class‑V driver’s license, LevelII First Aid certificate, and S100 Fire Suppression Training certificate.
• Computer literacy, including word processing, spreadsheets, GIS/GPS, and database applications.
• Proven communication abilities, both written and oral, with contractors, government and industry staff, and UBC faculty, staff, and students.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters inclusion and fairness, bringing rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creating the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.