Regional Forester (Forester 3)

Competition # : 48983

Department: Natural Resources

Location: COXHEATH

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 25-Jun-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources – including biodiversity, forests, geological resources, provincial parks and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources (Lands and Forestry) is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Regional Resource Manager, as the Regional Forester you are part of a multi-disciplinary Integrated Resource Management (IRM) natural resource/land use planning team providing expert professional and technical advice to department Senior Management, Directors, Area Mangers, Assistant Managers, and District staff. You will develop, analyze, and interpret policy; manage budgets; approve forest management plans; manage controversial public/politically sensitive issues; allocate limited resources among competing corporate and public interests; assess and deliver training and supervise casual staff. You maintain, apply, and provide expert knowledge of regional and provincial issues and situations to provide meaningful input to provincial programs.

You are an integral part of the region’s multi-disciplinary natural resource/land use planning team which develops and applies ecosystem based IRM planning for future Crown land use. You will be required to apply resource science expertise to make complex management decisions that seek to balance the economic, environmental, and social demands on Crown lands, and you may be required to lead the team in the development of a new ecosystem-based approach to future Crown land planning.

You design forest management programs and are responsible for the implementation and supervision of provincial natural resource programs in the areas of Crown Land Administration and Crown Land Management; Private Land Stewardship and Outreach and Outdoor Recreation including multi-use trail development and management. You will liaise and provide advice to other government departments, municipal units and community groups, community forest projects and participate on community, interdepartmental and intergovernmental committees.

As the Regional Forester you develop and deliver stewardship and outreach programs and promote sustainable resource management through provision of assistance and advice to industry, public, landowners/operators, universities, youth, federal, provincial, and municipal agencies. You will deliver public presentations, lead and/or participate with various program committees and provide input to inquiries and environmental impact assessments. You may also deliver and/or assist with providing specialized training in PTA (Pretreatment Assessment), FEC (Forest Ecosystem Classification) as well as implementation of the Silviculture Guide to the Ecological Matrix and High Production Forestry to the Department’s Regional technical and Professional staff.

Qualifications and Experience

B.Sc. in Forestry plus six years related experience; or a M.Sc. in Forestry and four years related experience.

As the Regional Forester you are required to have a comprehensive knowledge of resource management principles, practices, objectives, policies, and procedures as well as Federal and Provincial regulations concerning natural resources. You must have expert knowledge regarding national, provincial, and regional forestry issues and topics and must be capable of responding to diverse situations requiring a broad knowledge of forestry practices and principles as well as forestry and wildlife policies, regulations, and guidelines.

You must have the ability to work as part of a team and be able to demonstrate project leadership and project management skills. You must have excellent communication (verbal and written) skills and demonstrate a high degree of independent professional judgement, decision making and initiative when addressing complex and sensitive forestry issues. The ability to undertake projects independently based on instructions given in broad outline form, with minimal direction and supervision and often under very stringent time constraints is essential.

You must have training in first aid and CPR and have safe outdoor travel and survival skills. You must possess good working knowledge of compass, global positioning systems, photo- interpretation and small craft operation (canoes, small boats). A valid driver’s license (minimum Class 5) and access to a motor vehicle are essential.

A strong understanding of Occupational Health and Safety and a record of working safely is essential. A working knowledge of ArcGIS, computer software used in land planning, data management and communications are essential. Strong analytical skills as well as policy formulation experience are required. Experience in forest ecosystem management, delivery of extension programs and managing budgets would be considered assets.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

You will be required to operate department vehicles, including off-road vehicles and equipment, work in remote areas and travel long distances on foot over rough terrain, as well as travel for extended periods in helicopters.

Additional Information

There is currently one (1) permanent position operating out of our Coxheath location, however this competition may be leveraged to fill additional vacancies as they arise.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: PR 15

Salary Range: $3,029.89 - $3,693.39 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.