Resident Forester - Alex Fraser Research Forest at UBC Faculty of Forestry

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Business Operations, Level B

Job Title

Resident Forester - Alex Fraser Research Forest

Department

Alex Fraser Research Forests

Compensation Range

$6,949.92 - $9,992.50 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

August 22, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks

Job End Date

Ongoing

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

UBC’s Alex Fraser Research Forest is part of the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship, and is responsible for managing the University’s obligations and opportunities on a 9,800 ha public forest tenure generating an annual gross revenue of up to $2 million. Because of the size of operations, the Alex Fraser Research Forest is managed with a close-knit team of individuals who are responsible for a large diversity of tasks.

The Resident Forester will be responsible for managing the regeneration obligations of the Alex Fraser Research Forest (AFRF), including planning, implementing, tracking and reporting all post-harvest activities. This position will also be involved with forest development and health management activities as required by contracts, legislation, tenure arrangements and management objectives at the Alex Fraser Research Forest.

This is a professional position and the successful candidate will be self-motivated, and capable of taking on professional duties immediately and managing a budget. The AFRF is seeking an individual who is creative, adaptable and interested in shaping the future of our organization.

This position will be located in Williams Lake, BC. Occasional weekends and altered hours may be required for particular events/projects.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Director, Alex Fraser Research Forest. Selects, negotiates terms and reviews work of external service providers, contractors and vendors. Supervises technical staff in the unit involved in the formulation of effective plans for forest development and silviculture. Supervises permanent staff, contractors and temporary employees in development and implementation of plans. Represents the interests of the AFRF to appropriate government agencies, community groups, and interested users.

Work Performed

• Supervises planning and development of silviculture prescriptions and operations by making complex social, economic and environmental decisions and trade-offs.
• Ensures that plans and prescriptions for silviculture activities comply with legal requirements and guidelines, UBC policy and best-practice guidance. Reviews and makes recommendations regarding what amount to harvest and when.
• Oversees log quality control and marketing of logs and provides revenue and cost estimates for future harvest units.
• Assists the Director in preparing an annual budget in excess of $2.0 million. Develops budget and is responsible for cost control of all projects under direction of the position.
• Represents the Research Forest with First Nations groups, overlapping tenure holders, and stakeholders by sharing annual plans, responding to inquiries, and maintaining positive working relationships.
• Leads the ongoing improvement of silviculture prescriptions and metrics.
• Maintains forest history records and other management documents both for internal use and as required by government agencies.
• Prepares funding proposals, and follows such proposals through as required.
• Responds to call outs in the event of emergencies at AFRF on a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week basis.
• Replaces the Director during scheduled and unscheduled absences from the Forest – on average 20-30 days per year.
• Recruits, selects, evaluates, supervises, manages performance and terminates service providers, vendors and contractors and ensures that site-level, operational, safety and legislation requirements and standards are met.
• Participates in educational activities and programs as required. Coordinates, develops and delivers practical curriculum requirements for the 8 field school courses held at the Research Forests each year. Oversees and trains students, staff and contractors. Organizes workshops and logistical needs for external training events and tours. This aspect of the role will require periodic travel to both the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest and UBC campus.
• Provides expertise in the field of research on both forests by assisting in the research review process, selection of field sites, development of experimental silviculture prescriptions, and supervision of implementation of those prescriptions. Develops budgets and tracks costing for research related activities. Collaborates with researchers as needed for review, agreements and implementation.
• Performs other related duties in keeping with qualifications and requirements of the position.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Manages formulation and implementation of silviculture prescriptions to ensure that they meet Forestry standards and policies, legislation, best practices, financial requirements and contribute to the strategic goals of AFRF. Failure to execute plans and prescriptions in a timely way threatens the financial viability of the unit. Application of inappropriate plans or prescriptions presents the University with environmental, legal, and financial liabilities. Exercises professional judgment and initiative in the overall coordination and management of projects. Accountable for the safe and effective execution of all activities under direction. Makes decisions regarding the research review process and the development of collaborative research agreements and prescriptions.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Director, Alex Fraser Research Forest. Works with wide latitude. Matters involving policy or liability are referred to the Director with suggested courses of action. Work is periodically reviewed to assess the validity of decisions or the achievement of defined goals.

Supervision Given

Supervises up to 4 full time staff, temporary staff and part-time employees. In addition, this position directly supervises up to 30 contract employees involved in silvicultural operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of four years’ experience with specific knowledge of planning and silviculture on forest land in British Columbia is required as well as Registration (or eligibility) as a Professional Forester in B.C preferred.
• A post graduate degree in Forestry or allied sciences is an asset.
• Registration (or eligibility) as a Professional Biologist in BC is an asset.
• Knowledge of the operation of the UBC Research Forests is an asset.
• Knowledge of the BC Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act is required.
• Familiarity with a wide range of silvicultural systems is required.
• Class V Drivers License, Level II First Aid Certificate, and S100 Fire Suppression Certificate are required.
• Computer literacy, including word processing, spreadsheets, RESULTS and GIS applications is required.
• Proven abilities in written and oral communications are necessary.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [email protected].