Come join this team and provide technical support in the planning and delivery of field data collection and reporting to support the provincial terrestrial monitoring (forest health) program.
If you have strong technical skills and a fondness for the natural resources, a unique opportunity exists within the area, working under the general supervision of the Science Operations Supervisor, and in a team environment with the Biodiversity and Monitoring Section (BAMS), with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
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
• 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:
• conduct forest health surveys for the detection, delineation, and quantification monitoring of forest health conditions and stressors
• locate, establish, and maintain terrestrial assessment plots
• provide leadership to assigned students and staff
• gather, assemble and compile technical information for a-/spatial databases
• conduct field training sessions and extension workshops with partners and field crews
• maintain specialized scientific data collection equipment, field equipment and facilities
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.
Scientific expertise:
• You have extensive field-based knowledge of forested ecosystems and landscapes, including proficiency in vegetation identification, soil description and classification, forest mensuration and the use of ecological land classification techniques.
• You have extensive knowledge of entomology, pathology, tree silvics, cultural and historic factors that influence forest health conditions including native and alien forest insects, diseases, other organisms, and abiotic factors which affect forest health.
• You have experience in locating, establishing and measuring plots, and conducting ground-based and aerial sampling.
• You can interpret and apply policies and legislation that relate to data collection and inventory techniques, data preparation and entry/digitizing.
• You have knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) and peripheral equipment (e.g. digitizing tablets, printer, plotters, and scanners), to perform data analysis, digitizing, map production and reports.
• You have working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that apply to the workplace and the work being performed.
Analytical and problem solving skills:
• You have demonstrated analytical skills to make project-level decisions to determine the nature and extent of deviations from existing data collection standards and protocols and recommend corrective actions.
• You have troubleshooting and problem-solving skills to resolve technical problems.
Interpersonal and communication skills:
• You have group leadership skills to assign work to staff, monitor the quality and quantity of work, and report on progress.
• You have demonstrated communications skills to respond to inquiries, conduct field tours and training sessions.
• You possess proven writing skills to make presentations and prepare reports.
Planning and organizational skills:
• You have planning and coordinating skills to organize, schedule and coordinate human and equipment resources for field projects.
Computer skills:
• You are proficient with computers/software including word-processing, database, electronic mail, internet and spreadsheet applications.
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: