Forest 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: Forestry Technologists and Technicians (2223) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Forestry Technologists and Technicians (C123) 
• 2011 NOC: Forestry technologists and technicians (2223) 
• 2016 NOC: Forestry technologists and technicians (2223) 

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:

• plan and administer silviculture activities such as timber harvesting (logging) and reforestation operations to ensure healthy, diverse forest regeneration
• conserve and improve wildlife habitat through 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
• prepare and administer forest management plans
• 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 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:

• clerical perception for taking measurements and updating computer databases
• spatial and form perception for mapping and inspecting
• motor coordination and manual dexterity for adjusting instruments and for activities such as tree planting
• 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 snowmobile 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:

• companies that produce forest products such as lumber, pulp and paper, plywood or panel board
• consulting companies
• schools
• 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 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:

• Public Administration [pdf]
• Manufacturing [pdf]
• Forestry and Logging with Support Activities [pdf]
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services [pdf]

The employment outlook [pdf] 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)
• size of the occupation.

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/jfr

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

ECO Canada website: www.eco.ca

Work Wild website: www.workwild.ca

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