Stewardship Forester

Adams Lake Indian Band is seeking one fulltime Stewardship Forester to join our Natural Resources Department. Reporting to, and under the direction of the Director of Natural Resources, the Stewardship Forester is responsible for managing forestry activities associated with ALIB's forest licenses, silviculture obligations, harvesting operations, and broader forest stewardship initiatives. The position will also support ALIB's participation in Forest Landscape Planning (FLP) Tables and other forestry-related planning and consultation processes.

This position provides an opportunity to work across operational forestry, long-term forest stewardship, and First Nations land and resource management. The successful candidate will work closely with the Natural Resources Department, Title and Rights Department, other ALIB staff, ALIB leadership, contractors, government agencies, other First Nations, and external partners. The successful candidate will also be responsible for supervising and directing Natural Resource Department team members and field crews to meet objectives while establishing and maintaining a safety program that ensures compliance with WorkSafe BC requirements. The Stewardship Forester will help ensure forestry activities and planning processes are carried out in accordance with professional and regulatory requirements while supporting ALIB's stewardship objectives, interests, and priorities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Stewardship Forester will be responsible for a diverse portfolio of forestry and stewardship activities, including:

· Managing ALIB's existing forest licenses, including monitoring cut control requirements, maintaining records, and completing required reporting.

· Developing timber harvesting opportunities on active licenses totaling approximately 50,000m³ annually, including:

o Timber reconnoiters;

o Block and road layout;

o Required assessments;

o Completion of site plans;

o Appraisal and ECAS submission;

o Cutting permit approval; and

o Post-harvest PHARM reporting

· Supervising the harvesting of approved cutting permits when required.

· Overseeing silviculture activity on approximately 2,300 hectares of harvested lands, including:

o Supervising site preparation;

o Seedling ordering in SPAR;

o Contracting the growing and storage of the seedlings;

o Contracting and supervising the seedling planting;

o Completing or supervising field surveys;

o Supervising in-house brushing crews;

o Submitting Regeneration and Free Growing milestone declarations in RESULTS;

o Managing the Phoenix database and reporting to government;

o Updating forward plans, estimating costs and producing and annual accrual of long-term silviculture liability; and

o Supervising the native berry program

· Supervising and providing technical direction to ALIB employees, contractors, consultants, and outside field crews as required.

· Developing, implementing and administering a safety program to ensure compliance to WorkSafe B.C requirements.

· Supervising and supporting the Caribou Road Deactivation Program and other forest stewardship projects.

· Supporting ALIB's participation in Forest Landscape Planning (FLP) Tables and associated technical and intergovernmental planning processes by:

· Reviewing forestry information, proposed objectives, management approaches, maps, data, and technical materials associated with FLP processes and providing professional forestry advice and recommendations to the Director of Natural Resources and other ALIB representatives.

· Working collaboratively with ALIB's Title and Rights Department and other staff to help ensure ALIB's stewardship priorities, cultural and ecological values, title and rights, and other interests are appropriately considered through Forest Landscape Planning.

· Supporting forestry-related consultation and engagement with the Province, tenure holders, industry, other First Nations, and other parties as required.

· Working collaboratively with Natural Resources Department staff, including GIS, finance, project management, fisheries and wildlife, and other technical staff.

· Communicating and coordinating with First Nations, government agencies, funding organizations, contractors, customers, and other partners.

Supporting annual work planning, budgeting, forecasting, project costing, contract management, invoice review, and tracking of forestry and silviculture obligations.

· Performing other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILILITIES

· Registered Professional Forester (RPF) with Forest Professionals British Columbia certification in good standing

· Registered Forester in Training (FIT) or Allied Science Forester in Training (ASFIT) and on track to obtain practicing RPF registration within approximately one to two years may be considered.

· Post-secondary education in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related field that supports eligibility for professional forestry registration.

· 5 or more years of relevant experience is preferred, although candidates with less experience who demonstrate strong technical knowledge and relevant field or operational experience may also be considered.

· Knowledge of ecosystem function, soils, riparian assessments, forest health, wildlife, forest ecology, and silviculture, and related resource values.

· Ability to interpret technical forestry information, maps, spatial data, legislation, policy, and resource management plans.

· Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and collaboratively.

· Experience in a First Nations environment, including experience with funding agencies, culture, title & rights and traditions would be considered an asset

· Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

· Experience with forestry information and reporting systems such as Phoenix, RESULTS, SPAR, ECAS, GIS, or other Ministry of Forests applications is considered an asset.

· Experience participating in collaborative land-use, forest management, or Forest Landscape Planning processes is considered an asset.

· Experience supervising contractors, consultants, field crews, or forestry operations is considered an asset.

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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Stewardship Forester will supervise ALIB employees, field crews, contractors, consultants, and other personnel as required. The position will provide technical direction and quality control to help ensure forestry and field activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and ALIB objectives. The level of direct supervision will vary depending on the projects and activities being undertaken.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position includes field work that may be physically demanding and require extended periods of walking over steep, uneven, or changing terrain while carrying field equipment. The successful candidate must be able to navigate using a compass and GPS, collect field information and notes, and safely perform assigned duties under a range of field conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be considered where appropriate.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both office and outdoor environments and will include travel to forestry operations, field sites, and meetings as required. The successful candidate must be comfortable working safely around active forestry operations and heavy equipment and may occasionally be exposed to insects, dust, fumes, heat, cold, rain, and other changing weather conditions. The position will also involve participation in meetings, technical working groups, Forest Landscape Planning Tables, and other government-to-government or multi-party planning processes.

EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE

Microsoft Office Suite – Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Compass, GPS, PPE (Personal protective equipment) Hi-vis vest, hard hat, steel toed boots, screens and tripod, shovel, trowel, radios/SPOT (satellite personal tracker), Apple iPad and camera.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

· Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License (copy required)

· Level 1 First Aid Certificate

· Ability and willingness to travel to field locations and attend meetings throughout ALIB's Territory as required.

BONA FIDE JOB REQUIREMENTS

Current Criminal Records Check with vulnerable sector clearance with results acceptable to ALIB

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a full-time, permanent position working 75 hours biweekly, generally to a maximum of 37.5 hours per week. Some flexibility in working hours and days may be available depending on operational requirements. Salary is up to $120,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

WHY US?

ALIB is willing to offer a Signing Bonus of $5,000 ($2000 upon signing and $3,000 upon 12 months continuous employment) and provide assistance with relocation expenses if required.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including a defined contribution pension scheme, health, vision, and dental coverage, LTD, AD&D, and life insurance and an employee assistance program. In addition to a starting vacation entitlement of two weeks we typically provide a two-week paid winter break and provide paid sick/personal days in addition to Statutory or Designated holidays.

Competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.

All interested candidates are asked to submit a detailed cover letter and resume with references to: https://workforcenow.adp.com/recruitment/alib

Preference may be given to ALIB band members and individuals who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Indigenous ancestry. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. If you have any questions about the position, difficulties applying, or require an accommodation during the selection process, which is available upon request, please contact us either via telephone at: 250-679-2214 or email: [email protected]

Although we acknowledge all those interested in the position, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.