Apply By: Thursday, February 12, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Forest Industry Development Advisor

Job ID:
240161
Organization:
Ministry of Natural Resources
Division:
Forest Economics and Business Branch
City:
Sault Ste Marie
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
1 Permanent
Job code:
13997 - Forester 4
Salary:
$1,718.77 - $2,206.92 Per week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Attention Finance and Economics Professionals!

Turn financial insight into real-world impact—support strategic decisions at Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources. In this role, you will be a trusted advisor to forestry businesses—helping them turn investment ideas into viable projects and long-term growth. From reviewing financial statements and business plans to evaluating funding applications for capital investments, your analysis will directly inform government decisions. You'll support program delivery while building strong relationships across industry and government. Bring your financial insight, relationship building skills, and political savvy to this exciting position.

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
• maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• 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

Working with forestry businesses and government partners to support investment, competitiveness, and sustainable growth across Ontario's forest sector, you will:

• analyze and advise on ministry business arrangements and relationships with the forest industry
• be a key point of contact for stakeholders on new investment opportunities, mill closures, and modernization projects
• assess business plans, financial information, and investment proposals, and provide clear recommendations to support decision-making
• help deliver and improve government funding programs for forestry businesses
• support policy development and implementation related to Ontario's forest sector
• lead and contribute to cross-regional teams addressing high-priority industry and community issues

Please note that this position will require some occasional travel.

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.

Specialized knowledge, research, and analytical expertise:

• demonstrated experience applying business, financial, and economic analysis to assess business plans, financial statements, and capital investment proposals
• strong research skills to gather, validate, and synthesize information from multiple sources (e.g., market intelligence, industry data, jurisdictional scans, stakeholder input) to inform advice and recommendations
• strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify risks, evaluate options, and recommend practical, defensible solutions
• ability to interpret and apply relevant legislative and policy frameworks, including regulations, procedures, and program requirements, to support the delivery of funding programs for Ontario's forest industry
• knowledge of the forest industry, including its regional and global economic significance, emerging trends, and factors affecting Ontario's competitiveness

Relationship management and communication skills:

• strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with forestry businesses, industry associations, and government partners
• proven ability to facilitate discussions, influence outcomes, and achieve results through collaboration and advisory support
• strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare clear, concise briefing materials (e.g., funding recommendations, decision notes, briefing notes) and present complex issues to senior leadership

Professional and leadership skills:

• strong political acuity, with the judgement and discretion to navigate sensitive issues, competing priorities, and public interest considerations
• strong project management, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the initiative to work independently and manage multiple priorities under pressure
• proficiency with common office software (word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations)

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:

Additional information:

Apply by:
Thursday, February 12, 2026 11:59 pm EST
Position details:
  • 1 English Permanent, 70 Foster Dr, Sault Ste Marie, North Region
Compensation group:
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Work hours:
Category:
Lands and Resources
Posted on:
Thursday, January 22, 2026

Note:

  • N-NR-240161/26


How to apply:

  1. You must apply online.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
  6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.


Strengthening Ontario, together