Forest Technologist

Job Summary

UBC’s Alex Fraser Research Forest is part of the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship, and is responsible for managing the University’s obligations and opportunities on a 9,800 ha public forest tenure generating an annual gross revenue of up to $2 million. Because of the size of operations, the Alex Fraser Research Forest is managed with a close-knit team of individuals who are responsible for a large diversity of tasks.

Under the supervision of the Director, the Forest Technologist will be responsible for all operational aspects of managing UBC’s forest license, including data collection and management, contractor supervision, GIS mapping, reporting and making recommendations related to forest harvesting, regeneration and research. This role also provides guidance and technical consultation to researchers, faculty, students and visiting scientists to support research conducted within the Research Forest and throughout the region.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Director, Alex Fraser Research Forest. Assists in the selection, negotiates terms and reviews work of external service providers, contractors and vendors. Student Interns, term employees and contractors report to this position.

Work Performed
Post-Harvest Regeneration Obligations

• Plans and implements all forest regeneration activities required to meet management objectives and legal requirements of the Alex Fraser Research Forest.
• Manages all contracts relating to tree planting, surveying, stand tending and brushing programs. Researches and selects contractors. Reviews work performed and determines when contract requirements have been met.
• Plans, schedules and implements a forest monitoring program, including monitoring of young stands beyond statutory obligation.
• Prepares silviculture investment budgets, long-range plans and summary reports for government reporting.

Harvesting Operations

• Provides input into pre-harvest planning; assists in design, layout and information collection.
• Supports the development of timber harvesting prescriptions and implements timber harvesting operations by making complex social, economic and environmental decisions and trade-offs. Selects and supervises harvesting systems, contractors and equipment in order to achieve objectives for each site.
• Assists with log quality control and marketing of logs. Provides quality assurance and timely deliveries of logs to customers.
• Performs post-harvest assessments in a timely fashion to facilitate management of contractor performance, including fire hazard assessments and waste and residue surveys for reporting to government.
• Prepares operations program budgets, production schedules, and reports.

Teaching and Extension

• Provides technical guidance to Research Forest visitors (i.e. international students, researchers, visiting scientists, educational and tour groups), including advising on field sites, forest ecosystems, and operational considerations.
• Participates in teaching to support field education programs both within the Alex Fraser Research Forest, and other sites in BC.
• Presents at and participates in public, technical and professional educational events, serving as a expert on operational forestry practices, innovative forest management approaches and their practical implementation.
• Works with the Director to protect research and teaching installations.
• Communicates operational program information to a wide range of audiences and forest users (technical, professional, research and management forestry staff, government, industry, students, public).

Other Duties

• Monitors contract worker safety, identifies unsafe work conditions and modifies work procedures to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Identifies and resolves work and contract compliance problems. Recommends policies and procedures to improve methods and results.
• Keeps current in techniques, technology and regulations and ensures operational activities meet regulatory requirements.
• Recruits, trains and supervises temporary field staff, including seasonal Student Interns.
• Replaces the Research Forest Director and Infrastructure Maintenance and Development Technician during scheduled and unscheduled absences from the Forest – on average 60-70 days per year.
• Provides consultation and technical support on field site selection, sampling approaches, operational constraints, forest ecosystems and applicable forestry practices to support research projects.
• Performs other related duties in keeping with qualifications and requirements of the job.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Manages application of prescriptions and harvesting to ensure that they meet forestry standards and policies, legislation, best practices, financial requirements and contributes to the strategic goals of the Research Forest. Failure to execute plans and prescriptions in a timely way threatens the financial viability of the unit. Application of inappropriate plans or prescriptions presents the University with environmental, legal, and financial liabilities. Safety and security of all persons and projects working on the Research Forest is a primary responsibility of this position. Decisions affect the health and risk of loss of the Research Forest.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Director, Alex Fraser Research Forest. Participates in planning meetings with other management positions. Matters involving policy or liability are referred to the Director with suggested courses of action. The Research Forest Director provides direction and consultation.

Supervision Given
The position trains and supervises seasonal and temporary staff and volunteers. The position supervises professional and technical contracts to ensure compliance with performance and legal standards.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a forestry diploma program plus a minimum of five years of related experience including specific practical and theoretical knowledge of forest planning and operations and related legislation and reporting systems (e.g. RESULTS) in British Columbia.
• Accreditation as a Silviculture Surveyor and / or Registration as a Forest Technologist is required. Familiarity with a wide range of Silviculture systems and logging methods is required.
• Class V Driver’s License, Level II First Aid Certificate, and S100 Fire Suppression Training Certificate is required.
• Computer literacy, including word processing, spreadsheets, GIS/GPS and database applications is required.
• Proven abilities in written and oral communications with contractors, government and industry staff, and UBC faculty, staff and students.