Planning Forester

Far North Natural Resources; Cat Lake; Hybrid; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Far North Natural Resources, a division of Cat Lake First Nation Economic Development Corporation, seeks a Planning Forester to support forest management planning and field forestry in northwestern Ontario. This hybrid role requires relocating to Cat Lake First Nation or Dryden and frequent travel to Dryden, Cat Lake, and stakeholder meetings.

Responsibilities include preparing planning documents, developing spatial products, and communicating plans to the community and youth.

Qualifications

• University degree in forestry or equivalent.
• Proficiency with GIS software (Arc Pro and QGIS).
• Willingness to relocate to northwestern Ontario.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 40%.
• Ability to train and mentor others and work with First Nations communities.

Responsibilities

• Support forest management planning and preparation of planning documents.
• Develop forest spatial products and contribute to long-term management direction.
• Engage with community and youth to communicate plan details.
• Meet with external stakeholders and government representatives to advance projects.

Skills

GIS proficiency

Independent work

Community communication

Teamwork

Mentoring others

Education

University degree in forestry or equivalent

Tools

Arc Pro

QGIS

Job description

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Planning Forester
A Division of Cat Lake First Nation Economic Development Corporation
Employer: Far North Natural Resources
Location: Cat Lake First Nation or Dryden, Ontario
Reports to: Director of New Business and Resource Development
Compensation: $55,000 to $70,000/yr commensurate with education and experience

POSITION PURPOSE

We are seeking an early career and motivated forestry professional to assist with forest management planning and on the ground forestry work. The Planning Forester will be primarily responsible for supporting the Cat Lake First Nation Team in preparing a forest management plan, communicating on forestry matters with the community, and training Cat Lake youth. This is a hybrid position that will require the candidate to live in northwestern Ontario and will require frequent travel (up to 40%) to our offices in Dryden and Cat Lake First Nation and to off-site stakeholder meetings.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with forest management planning activities including preparing planning documents, developing forest spatial products, preparing the long‑term management direction, participating in forest estate modeling, determining current forest condition and documenting the forest management plan.
• Assist with the community access road and forestry operational planning and implementation.
• Communicating the plan development to the community and the youth of Cat Lake.
• Meet with external stakeholders and government representatives to advance the Cat Lake First Nation bio‑economy master plan implementation.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to obtain full or associate membership with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association within 2 years
• Be based in or willing to relocate to northwestern Ontario
• Self‑starter with ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• University degree in forestry or equivalent
• Proficiency in GIS software such as Arc Pro and QGIS
• Valid class G driver’s license or equivalent
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly for onsite work (up to 40%), including working in adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time
• Strong commitment to health and safety values
• Strong commitment to professionalism and professional ethics
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Willingness to train and mentor others
• Interest in First Nations culture

Beneficial Qualifications That Will be Considered an Asset:

• Bilingualism in Ojibway and English
• Standard First Aid Certification
• Experience with operational forestry (e.g. road design, block layout)
• A personal vehicle suitable for use on forestry roads
• Experience working with First Nations
• Experience with forest estate modeling
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Strong writing skills or experience working on government funded projects

This is a one‑year contract with the possibility of renewal. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience.