Forest Technician and Technologist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 2223: Forestry Technologists and Technicians

2006 NOC-S

• C123: Forestry Technologists and Technicians

2011 NOC

• 2223: Forestry technologists and technicians

2016 NOC

• 2223: Forestry technologists and technicians

2021 NOC

• 22112: Forestry technologists and technicians

2023 OaSIS

• 22112.00: Forestry technologists and technicians

Forest technicians and technologists ensure that forestland is managed wisely. They work closely with other land- and resource-management specialists. They aim to optimize the production of forest resources and minimize adverse impacts on the land, water, and wildlife. They assess, plan, and manage the health, sustainability, conservation, and renewal of:

• Forests

• Vegetation

• Wildlife

• Watersheds

• Soil

• Ecosystems

In general, forest technicians work under the supervision of foresters or forest technologists.

Forest technicians and technologists may be involved in silviculture, timber management, and forest protection.

Silviculture is a branch of forestry that establishes, cares for, and reproduces stands of trees. The forested area is used for different reasons including wildlife habitats, timber production, outdoor recreation, and by Indigenous Peoples.

To ensure healthy, diverse forest management, forest technicians and technologists may:

• Plan and administer timber harvesting (logging) and reforestation operations

• Prepare sites, plant trees, or tend stands of trees

• Make detailed drawings of and lay out harvest blocks, haul roads, and skid trails

• Mark trees for harvesting operations

• Inspect logs for defects

• Measure logs to determine total volume

• Estimate the marketable content in logs for use as saw logs or pulpwood

• Keep records of the amount and condition of logs reaching mills

• Survey regrowth on cut areas

• Work in tree nurseries (see Greenhouse or Nursery Operator occupational profile)

• Conserve and improve wildlife habitat through carefully planned programs

In timber management, forest technicians and technologists may work as “layout personnel” along with:

• Regeneration surveyors

• Timber cruisers

• Mapping technicians

In this area, forest technicians and technologists may:

• Oversee and analyze operations or services provided in forestry, logging, mining, quarrying, or oil and gas operations and industries

• Conduct forest timber inventories to find out how many trees are in a specific area

• Participate in research, analyze data, and prepare technical reports

• Conduct forest surveys such as ecosystem classification and inventories

• Analyze forests using information management technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), databases, and aerial photographs and light detection and ranging (LiDAR)

• Interpret government regulations for effective supervision of staff and contractors

• Direct activities such as the construction of access road and bridges

• Perform reclamation and remediation activities

• Work with government to develop and implement environmentally sound harvesting and reforestation plans

• Consult with Indigenous communities

• Work with the oil and gas industry to ensure activities comply with legislation and minimize negative impacts on the forest land base

• Perform auditing and compliance functions

In forest protection, forest technicians and technologists may work as:

• Aerial observers

• Wildland firefighters

• Helitack or rappel crew members

• Sector leaders

• Timekeepers

• Radio operators

• Forestry warehouse persons

• Air tank base managers or assistants

In this area, they may:

• Direct wildfire control operations, including managing crews

• Survey, monitor, and report on fire activities

• Perform insect- and disease-control activities, such as collecting samples of plants, seeds, foliage, bark, and roots

• Ensure adherence to safety regulations

Forest technicians and technologists may use or supervise workers who use:

• Chain saws

• Clearing saws

• Manual tools

• Herbicides to control weeds and undergrowth

Experienced forest technologists may:

• Do the field work required to implement forestry plans

• Supervise other forestry workers who acquire the data for plans

• Help foresters develop plans

• Develop plans themselves

Forest technicians and technologists typically work outdoors in all weather conditions. They often perform strenuous tasks on steep, wet, or uneven terrain. They can also work indoors to conduct research, analyze data, and write reports.

Forest technicians and technologists who work outdoors often work in remote locations. Sometimes they work on their own. They may commute daily to forest sites. Or they may have to be away from home for a week or more at a time. They often stay in small rural communities or in modern camps. They may also live in urban settings.

Lifting requirements vary depending on the job. They regularly lift loads weighing up to 15 kilograms.

Some forest technicians and technologists commonly work long hours. Some positions are seasonal.

When fighting forest fires, they often work 12- to 16-hour shifts for several days at a time. Forest technicians and technologists who fight fires may need to lift equipment weighing up to 30 kilograms.

Forest technicians and technologists work for:

• Logging companies

• Pulp and paper companies

• Lumber companies

• Oil and gas companies

• Power companies

• Forestry consulting firms

• Environmental consulting firms

• Land-management consulting firms

• Private contracting firms

• Schools

• Government departments and agencies

• Not-for-profit organizations

Some forest technicians and technologists are self-employed private consultants.

Work experience in forestry is a definite advantage for those seeking entry-level positions. Such positions may include:

• Log scaler

• Timber cruiser

• Tree-planting supervisor

Outdoor experience is a definite asset. Examples of outdoor experience include:

• Camping

• Bush travel

• Use of all-terrain or 4-wheel-drive vehicles

The Government of Alberta operates the Alberta Junior Forest Rangers program. It provides work-related forestry experience for senior high school students.

Competition for permanent positions is keen. Post-secondary program graduates usually start their careers in seasonal positions. They get permanent positions after gaining 2 to 4 years of experience. Most positions are in northern Alberta. With more experience, they may advance to supervisory positions.

Additional education is required to move into forester positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Forestry technologists and technicians
2016 NOC: 2223

82.0% of people in this occupational group work in:

• Public Administration
• Manufacturing
• Forestry
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.

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3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Forestry technologists and technicians

2021 NOC: 22112

Balanced

Job Market

< 1500

Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Forestry technologists and technicians

2016 NOC: 2223

2.3%

Annual Growth
(Below average)

20

New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Junior Forest Rangers website: alis.alberta.ca/junior-forest-rangers

Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals website: aafmp.ca

Work Wild website: workwild.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.