Do you have experience working on teams to collect and process field and geospatial data? Play a key role in advancing Ontario's Forest Resources Inventory (FRI), helping build the data that guides sustainable forest decisions.
The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.
We offer:
• a defined benefit pension plan
• comprehensive health plan
• life and disability insurance
• flexible work arrangements
• collegial and professional work culture
• career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• on-the-job training to support your success in the role
About the job
In this role, you will:
• interpret aerial and remote-sensing data (like LiDAR and digital imagery) to map forest stands, ecosystems, soils, and non-productive areas, contributing to Ontario's forest inventory.
• prepare and organize geospatial data, including imagery, maps, and background information, to support inventory projects and ensure field crews have accurate, ready-to-use resources.
• participate in field data collection, measuring forest conditions, verifying imagery interpretations, operating field equipment, and ensuring contractor work meets quality standards.
• carry out quality assurance and quality control, reviewing field data, imagery interpretation work, and datasets from industry, Indigenous communities, and contractors.
• support improvements to inventory methods and tools by testing new techniques, reviewing processes, and helping implement innovative technologies in forest inventory production.
• contribute to knowledge-sharing, helping develop training materials and supporting presentations for industry, Indigenous partners, and others involved in collecting or interpreting inventory data.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
• You must have a valid class 'G' driver's licence or equivalent, as recognized by the Province of Ontario. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's licence upon being hired.
• You must be able to work in the forest during inclement weather with a varying schedule.
• You must be able to travel provincially to conduct fieldwork in remote locations.
Remote sensing and geospatial interpretation:
• ability to interpret LiDAR, optical imagery, and 3D aerial data to accurately classify forest stands, soils, wetlands, disturbances, and ecosites
• skill in applying forest ecology, species identification, geology, and soils knowledge to produce accurate and consistent inventory polygon delineations
• proficiency using GIS and specialized digital imagery tools to extract measurable forest attributes
Field data collection and forest mensuration skills:
• ability to conduct accurate field measurements (species, height, age, density, soils) using established mensuration and forest sampling principles
• capability to perform QA/QC on field data collected by industry, Indigenous partners, and contractors
• competence in safely operating field equipment (vehicles, ATVs, boats, GPS/mobile devices) in remote and adverse field conditions
Analytical and problem solving skills:
• ability to assemble, manage, and analyze imagery, geospatial datasets, and ancillary data to support inventory production
• analytical skill in detecting and resolving data management, image interpretation, and workflow issues
• capacity to support testing and evaluation of new inventory tools, methods, and standards
Communication & collaboration skills:
• ability to communicate technical information clearly in both written and verbal formats to colleagues, industry, and Indigenous partners
• skilled in working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistent interpretation, field procedures, and inventory approaches
• competence in supporting knowledge transfer activities, including training, presentations, and client interactions
Health and safety awareness:
• ability to adhere to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, ministry field procedures, and safe work practices in remote environments
• skilled in identifying workplace hazards and applying appropriate precautions in field and office contexts
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: