Senior Area Forester

Role Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Forest Area Manager, the Senior Area Forester provides leadership to the Forest Management and Forest Health sections, ensuring effective integration of sustainable forest management practices into strategic plans that balance environmental, economic and social impacts across Alberta’s forested public lands. The role involves leading divisional and external teams on regional and provincial initiatives, developing and implementing directives, guidelines, and standards to support efficient and consistent program delivery across the Forest Area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure consistent and efficient application of legislation, policy initiatives, and procedures related to forest management on an integrated land base.
• Lead and participate in departmental and external project teams that influence regional or provincial forest and land management policy development and implementation.
• Support consistent application of forest management standards by providing assistance and direction to area staff regarding relevant policies, initiatives, and procedures.
• Supervise human resources within the Forest Management and Forest Health sections to ensure services align with area and divisional business goals.
• Respond to issues and appeals related to Forest Management and Land Management decisions by representing the Forest Area.
• Establish strong working relationships with stakeholders, partner agencies, and the public to promote compliance with legislation and encourage integrated resource management practices.
• Oversee and support all aspects of the Forest Operations Monitoring (FOMP) and Timber Production Monitoring (TPM) programs to ensure operational compliance and effectiveness.
• Manage and support all components of the Forest Health Program, including surveillance, mitigation, and response initiatives.
• Provide support to the Wildfire Management Branch in both suppression and prevention programs to reduce wildfire risk and impact.
• Ensure consistent Forest Management program delivery through coordination with other area Senior Foresters and the Forest Stewardship and Trades Branch.

Through leadership, collaboration and technical expertise, the Senior Area Forester ensures sustainable forest management practices that uphold Alberta’s environmental integrity, support provincial priorities and promote long-term stewardship of forest resources.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Creative Problem Solving: Anticipates, assesses, and readily adapts to changing priorities while maintaining resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively works in a changing environment.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Takes a collaborative approach with work to foster open communication and leverage team skills.
• Agility: Identifies alternative approaches in uncertain, complex situations while supporting others in determining and assessing strategy.
• Systems Thinking: Considers the changing environment, recognizing the work impacting a vast network of stakeholders. 
• Develop Self and Others: Aims to learn from experiences, shift, and keep current with our skills and knowledge to remain competitive.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:

•    A related degree in Forestry or Natural Resource plus 6 years of related experience. 

Equivalency: 
•    A related two-year diploma in Forestry or Natural Resource plus 8 years of related experience.
•    Additional related education considered in lieu of experience based on one year of experience for one year of education.

Additional Requirement:
•    Eligible for registration as a Registered Forestry Practitioner.

Assets:

• Forest Practitioner education (Forester or Forest Technologist) combined with extensive experience in core forest management and land management functions which have provided a thorough understanding of professional practices and scientific principles to be considered when making resource management decisions.
• Member of the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals.
• Strong knowledge of resource industries in the province, their practices, issues and trends.
• Knowledge of the Forest Management Plan Development Process, Planning Standard and associated reviews of Forest Planning Submissions such as AOPs, GDPs, Reforestation Plans and First Nation Consultation Processes.
• Requires knowledge of fire prevention, fire behaviour, fuel types, weather conditions and topography as it relates to fire.
• Highly developed communication skills to deal with a broad spectrum of stakeholders and the public, including excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, strong listening skills and written communication skills. 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full time permanent position with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday. The incumbent may be requested to work overtime, evening and weekends due to the emergency nature of wildfires.

Travel within the area and throughout the province will be required as part of your responsibilities to coordinate with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients and other external stakeholders. 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.

Application Information:

• In your application, please include a cover letter detailing your interest and role-related experience. 
• In your resume include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Foreman (PT three 8-hour shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

What the GoA has to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.