TFL Forester

at  Western Forest Products

THE OPPORTUNITY

Western Forest Products is hiring for a TFL Forester to join our Englewood Forest Operations team based in Woss, BC.
What You’ll Do: The TFL Forester plays a critical role in achieving operational and corporate goals including standardizing and coordinating WFP’s Forest Strategy in the areas of Stewardship, Silviculture, and Sustainable Forest Management; developing strategic planning and certification programs; and overseeing the First Nation Information Sharing Process. You will manage, train and coach all silviculture and planning employees and contractors at the operation.
Who You Are: This is a great opportunity for an experienced RPF searching for a rewarding career where they can have a significant impact. We are looking for a strategic, innovative and creative leader with a strong sense of initiative and proven ability to lead a team with superior communication skills. You have strong knowledge of BC coastal silviculture and forest harvesting practices with a strong focus on improving safety and quality.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of experience in Forestry Planning in increasingly responsible roles;
• Post-secondary degree in Forestry or related degree in Natural Resource Management;
• Current accreditation as an RPF with the Association of BC Forest Professionals; and
• Experience in the coastal forestry industry is preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Excellent understanding and comprehension of Forest Management and Land Use Planning;
• Thorough knowledge of professional forestry obligations and technical forestry practices;
• Sound understanding of forestry and environmental legislation;
• Expertise in management of operational plans and forestry related tenures, licenses and permits;
• Proven ability to work in a team environment with good communication skills and an ability to speak confidently in a public setting;
• Strong financial and business acumen;
• Knowledge of road construction and forest harvesting practices with a strong focus on improving safety, quality, and efficiency; and
• Experience with forestry software (LRM, Plant Wizard and Forest Ops) as well as technology (i.e. LiDAR) would be considered an asset.

• Provide leadership in safety and environmental stewardship by demonstrating and ensuring the adherence to company safety and sustainability processes and procedures;
• Oversees the development and implementation of plans, budgets and forecasts that support long term timber supply. This includes preparing annual harvest plans while achieving rapid attainment of green-up and free growing in support of improved harvest flexibility and a reduced silviculture provision balance, monitoring spending and reporting results including accounting for silviculture provision to ensure compliance with WFP’s financial policies and meeting Operations financial results;
• Manages and supervises Foresters, Planners and contractors at the operation; mentors resource professionals and upholds professional decision making and independence;
• Actively maintain current and potential mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations partners, Government agencies and public and private interest groups to support access to incremental fibre;
• Oversees the First Nations Information Sharing process to ensure continuity of the planning and harvesting process and compliance with legislated and legal requirements.
• Oversees the overall management of the Silviculture Program at the Operations level to ensure compliance with WFP’s legislated obligations and to maintain or enhance the value of Western’s tenures and land holdings;
• Responsible for the EMS and CSA or SFI Sustainable Forest Management processes at the Operation level to ensure alignment with WFP’s Environmental Policy and the Timberlands EMS, CSA and SFI certifications;
• Support and peer review the various plans and assessments associated with cutblock development including: Site Plans, Harvest, Road, Silviculture and Deactivation Instructions, Cutting Permit Submissions, Road Permit Submissions and related projects, and preparation of other applications as necessary; and,
• Implement and update the Forest Landscape Plan and Forest Operations Plan in collaboration with our First Nation partners.