Area Forester

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about safeguarding our forest resources for future generations? We're seeking a dedicated individual to fill the role of Area Forester, reporting directly to the Senior Forester. In this role, you'll be instrumental in ensuring the sustainability of our forest ecosystems by meticulously reviewing and auditing tenure-based forest management planning and operations within the High Level Forest Area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitoring industry planning, silvicultural activities, and forest operations to maintain vital linkages to detailed Forest Management Plans (FMA), quota agreements, provincial legislation, and departmental directives.
• Effective communication for conveying sustainable forest management principles to diverse stakeholders, including forest and other industries, the public, and First Nations communities.
• Mediating conflicts between various interest groups will be part of your daily responsibilities, ensuring that local issues are effectively managed to promote harmony and sustainability.
• Regulation and legislation concerning timber management companies in a specified sphere of influence, you'll collaborate closely with embedded quota holders and contribute to the development and implementation of Detailed Forest Management Plans and operational ground rules.
• Conduct audits of timber harvesting operations through our Forest Operations Monitoring Program, ensuring compliance with established standards and best practices.
• Acting as an area representative, you'll contribute your expertise to the development of regulations, policies, and procedures aimed at enhancing forest sustainability and management practices.

If you're a dedicated professional with a passion for forest conservation and possess the technical expertise required to drive impactful change, we encourage you to apply! Join us in our mission to protect and preserve our precious forest resources for generations to come.
 

Link to the job description: https://mydocs.wfd.alberta.ca/media/sapp3v43/jr58410_areaforester_jd.pdf

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, assess, and readily adapts to changing priorities while maintaining resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment

Build Collaborative Environments: Takes a collaborative approach to foster open communication and leverage team skills

Agility: Identifies alternative approaches in uncertain, complex situations, supporting others in determining and assessing strategy

Systems Thinking: Considers the changing environment, recognizes how work impacts a vast network of stakeholders

Develop Self and Others: Aims to learn from experiences, shifts, and keeps current with skills and knowledge to remain competitive

Qualifications

Education:
The minimum requirements for this role are a university degree in Forestry, Sciences, Natural Resources or a related field plus four (4) years of related experience. 

Directly related education or experience is considered on a one-for-one basis, such as:

• A two-year diploma plus six (6) years of related experience.

Additional requirements include:

• Class 5 Driver’s License.
• Canada Safety Council endorsed Defensive Driving Course.
• First Aid, Level "C" CPR, certificate.
• Eligible for registration with the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals.

Assets include:

• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Forest management planning/operations and fireline certification.
• Project management experience.
• Crew leader or member experience. 
• Experience operating equipment such as off-highway vehicles, 4x4 vehicles, and snowmobiles.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap, or other GIS applications.
• Strong mediation and negotiation skills and the ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with various stakeholders.

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

One permanent full time position with standard weekly hours of 36.25 Monday to Friday. 

We aim to onboard the successful candidate for this position by mid-July. The incumbent may be requested to work overtime, evening and weekends due to the emergency nature of wildfires.

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

What 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
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to  two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs