Forest Technologist

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. Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another but, in general, forest technologists:

• plan and administer silviculture activities such as timber harvesting (logging) and reforestation operations to ensure healthy diverse forest regeneration
• conserve and improve wildlife habitat though carefully planned silviculture programs
• conduct forest timber inventories and analyze forests using computer hardware and software
• use information management technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS) and databases to assist with conservation and forest management activities
• interpret government regulations for effective supervision of staff and contractors
• work with government to develop and implement environmentally sound harvesting and reforestation plans
• participate in research, analyze data and prepare technical reports
• conduct forest ecological surveys such as ecosystem classification and songbird inventories
• work with the oil and gas industry to ensure activities comply with forestry legislation and minimize negative impacts on the forest land base
• perform auditing and compliance functions
• direct wildfire control operations and monitor fire activities.

Forest technologists perform tasks that are often strenuous, sometimes on steep, wet or uneven terrain, or indoors conducting experiments, analyzing data and writing reports. They may work outdoors in all weather conditions such as rain, snow, or cold.

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, four days a week.

Forest technologists need the following characteristics:

• good clerical perception for taking measurements and updating computer databases
• good spatial and form perception for mapping and inspecting
• good motor co-ordination and manual dexterity for adjusting instruments and activities such as tree planting
• good communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with people and working as part of a team.

Those who work primarily outdoors also need to be:

• physically fit
• able to work alone effectively
• able to deal with mechanical problems such as skidoo breakdowns.

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.

Forest technologists are employed by the following types of organizations:

• companies that produce forest products (such as lumber, pulp and paper, plywood, panelboard)
• consulting companies
• educational institutions
• government departments and agencies
• power companies
• oil and mining companies.

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 four-wheel-drive vehicles) is a definite asset. The Alberta Junior Forest Rangers program, operated by Land and Forest Services, Alberta Environment and Parks, 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 two to four 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. Or, they may 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:

• Public Administration (PDF)
• Manufacturing (PDF)
• Forestry and Logging with Support Activities (PDF)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

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

College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists website: www.capft.ca

Work Wild website: www.workwild.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.