Forestry Technologists and Technicians

Nature of work

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

Job duties

Forestry technologists and technicians:

• Conduct, supervise and participate in forest inventory cruises, surveys and field measurements following accepted scientific and operational procedures.
• Help and complete technical functions to prepare of forest management and harvest plans using photogrammetric and mapping techniques and computerized information systems.
• Help plan and supervise access route and forest roads construction.
• Implement, supervise, and complete technical functions in silvicultural operations involving site preparation, planting, and tending of tree crops.
• Coordinate activities like 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 for environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety and accident prevention.
• Provide forestry education, advice and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations and the public.
• Develop and maintain computer databases.
• Supervise forest tree nursery operations.
• Provide technical support to forestry research programs for tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.

Sample job titles

• enforcement officer - forestry
• forest engineering technologist
• forest fire ranger
• forest fire technician
• forest planning technician
• forest research technologist
• forestry conservation technician
• log grader
• silviculturist
• timber scaler

Skills

• You should enjoy technical work and have an interest in science. A high degree of manual dexterity and mechanical ability may be necessary. You must be methodical, precise and analytical, and able to work alone or as part of a team. Good oral and written communication skills are important, as well as the ability to supervise and coordinate the work of others. Familiarity with mapping techniques and computerized information systems may be required for some positions. Physical stamina may be needed for fieldwork.

Job requirements

• A one- to three-year college program in forestry technology or in a renewable resource program or forest ranger program is usually required.
• Certification by, or registration with, a provincial association as a forestry technologist or technician may be required.
• Certification or licensing as a scaler is required for some positions.

Other considerations

• Movement may be possible to jobs in natural resource and wildlife management and in parks management.

Regulations

Contacts

There are no additional resources for this occupation.