Forestry Technologists and Technicians

(NOC 2223)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

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 Outlook

Limited

Read more

  • Estimate Decline employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 25 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$21.50

Minimum

$32.97

Median

$39.62

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,220

Minimum

$50,627

Median

$84,176

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

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.

By the numbers

Quick look

255

employed in 2016

92.3%

employed full-time

7.7%

self employed

13.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
86.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
45.4

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

51.0%

North Shore

$52,062 median annual income
15.7%

Southern

N/A
11.8%

Cape Breton

N/A
11.8%

Halifax

N/A
9.8%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

40.0%

Public administration

35.6%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

15.6%

Manufacturing

4.4%

Utilities

4.4%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

45-54

19.0%

55-64

17.0%

15-24

17.0%

35-44

13.0%

25-34

4.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

69.2%

College Diploma

$52,177 median annual income
11.5%

Bachelor

N/A
9.6%

High school

N/A
3.8%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Natural Resources Management and Policy

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. They include courses in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

Truro, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Timber Scaler

Right to Practice: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Canadian Institute of Forestry - Nova Scotia
Mattawa, ON
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia
Truro, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.