Forest Technologist
Forest technologists perform many of the technical functions involved in the scientific management of forested areas.
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Biological Sciences Technician / Technologist, Environmental Technician / Technologist, Forest Guardian
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:
Starting | $35.28 |
---|---|
Overall | $39.63 |
Top | $45.98 |
Interest in supervising the construction of access routes, forest roads and forest tree nursery operations; and in implementing and supervising technical functions in silviculture and forest harvesting operations and in co-ordinating activities such as timber scaling, forest fire suppression, disease and insect control and pre-commercial thinning of forest stands
Interest in compiling information to monitor activities of logging companies and contractors, to enforce regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource use, fire safety and accident prevention
Interest in precision working to provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys and experimental forestry and forest engineering research
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Forest technologists work in close consultation with other land and resource management specialists to ensure that forest land is managed wisely. Their objective is to optimize production of forest resources and minimize adverse impacts on the land, water and wildlife. As such, they assess, plan and manage the health, sustainability, conservation and renewal of forests, vegetation, wildlife, watersheds, soil, airsheds and ecosystems.
Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another but, in general, forest technologists:
Forest technologists often perform tasks that are strenuous, sometimes on steep, wet or uneven terrain. They also work indoors conducting experiments, analyzing data and writing reports. When outdoors, they work in all weather conditions.
Technologists who work primarily outdoors often work in remote locations, sometimes on their own. They may commute daily to forest sites or routinely be away from home for periods of a week or more, staying in modern camps or small rural communities.
Forest technologists may work 12- to 16-hour shifts when necessary to fight forest fires. Some technologists routinely work 12-hour shifts, 4 days a week.
Forest technologists need:
Those who work primarily outdoors also need to be:
All forest technologists should enjoy directing and supervising others, taking a methodical approach to compiling information and enforcing regulations, and developing innovative approaches to problems.
For the purposes of this profile, forest technologists are defined as graduates of 2-year or 3-year forest technology programs. It should be noted, however, that the terms “forest technologist” and “forest technician” may be used differently by various employers and post-secondary schools.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Forest technologists perform many of the technical functions involved in the scientific management of forested areas.
Under Alberta's Regulated Forestry Profession Act [pdf] and Registered Professional Forest Technologists Regulation [pdf], you must be registered with the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT) to use the protected titles reserved for regulated members:
Registration is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and intend to practise forestry on public lands.
Registration as a registered professional forest technologist requires:
For detailed official information about registration requirements, contact the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT).
Forest technologists who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered forest technologists in Alberta and the jurisdiction which the applicant originates have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT) website.
To learn about certification for internationally educated forest technologists, see Forest Technologist Registration Process.
College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT)
200, 10544-106 St. NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 2X6
Canada
Call: 780-432-1962
Fax: 780-432-4183
Email: info@capft.ca
Website: www.capft.ca
Forest technologists are employed by:
Some forest technologists are self-employed private consultants.
Work experience in the forestry field is a definite advantage for forest technology graduates seeking entry-level positions such as log scaler, timber cruiser or supervisor of a tree-planting crew. Outdoor experience (such as camping, bush travel, use of all-terrain or 4-wheel-drive vehicles) is a definite asset. The Alberta Junior Forest Rangers program, operated by the Government of Alberta, 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 and obtain permanent positions after gaining 2 to 4 years of experience. Most positions are in northern Alberta.
Experienced forest technologists may develop forestry plans or assist foresters in developing plans, supervise other forestry workers and technologists who acquire the data for plans, or actually do the field work required to implement plans. They may also move into related areas such as provincial parks, survey crews, reclamation crews or the oil and gas industry.
Forest technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2223: Forestry technologists and technicians. In Alberta, 90% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 2223: Forestry technologists and technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $18.00 | $46.60 | $35.28 | $38.64 |
Overall | $23.13 | $50.17 | $39.63 | $44.10 |
Top | $29.00 | $71.41 | $45.98 | $44.10 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Public Administration | $81,497 |
---|---|
ALL INDUSTRIES | $80,053 |
Alberta Junior Forest Rangers website: alis.alberta.ca/jfr
College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists website: www.capft.ca
ECO Canada website: www.eco.ca
Work Wild website: www.workwild.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.