Overview
HIGHLIGHTS:Love the outdoors? Come experience the Ganaraska Watershed and Forest!
35 Hours per Week | 33-week contract
$24.50 per hour wage
Anticipated Contract: May 5th to December 19th, 2025
Forestry – Crew Lead
*** Please note that this position is dependent on pending funding applications. ***
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) is currently accepting applications for the contract position of Forestry – Crew Lead. Working as part of the GRCA’s Conservation Lands team, the Forestry – Crew Lead will be responsible for supporting forest management operations at the Ganaraska Forest and the nine GRCA Conservation Areas.
Under the guidance of the GRCA Forester, the Forestry – Crew Lead will be responsible for leading the collection of forest inventory data within the Ganaraska Forest. This will support the development of silvicultural prescriptions and a future forest management plan update, along with invasive species monitoring and management efforts across GRCA lands. The Forestry – Crew Lead will also be responsible for the completion of the GRCA’s annual invasive species control efforts, including all reporting requirements. The Forestry – Crew Lead will be responsible for supervising a small field crew in the delivery of these duties and ensuring that all work adheres to GRCA health and safety protocols, procedures and guidelines. Other duties will include data entry in the GRCA’s forest management database, report and communications preparation, and supporting the Forester and the Conservation Lands team with forest operations, mapping, and trail maintenance duties.
Working hours will total 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday. This position will be based out of the GRCA’s Forest Management Office located at the Ganaraska Forest Centre, 10585 Cold Springs Camp Road, Campbellcroft, ON L0A 1B0.
Application Criteria
- Must have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial legislation and regulations. Applicants must hold Canadian citizenship, Canadian permanent residency status, or Canadian refugee status.
- Post-secondary education in forestry, natural resources management, biology, environmental science or a related field.
- Applicant must possess their own Green Patch CSA-approved safety boots. Boots with ankle support and adequate tread highly recommended due to outdoor working conditions.
Summary of Tasks
In coordination with the GRCA Forester:
- Lead a small field crew in the collection of forest inventory and other field data for the Ganaraska Forest, with a particular focus on assessing invasive species.
- Coordinate and deliver annual invasive species management projects on GRCA properties, including leading a small field crew in manual/chemical removals, project tracking, pre-project and post-project assessment.
- Assist with trail inventory, maintenance and inspections.
- Assist with the organization and entry of data into the GRCA’s forest management database.
- Assist and support the Forester in the development of forestry-related reports and communications.
- Other duties as assigned.
Summary of Required Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in forestry, natural resources management, biology, environmental science or related field. Forestry background preferable.
- Strong preference for those with past experience in forest inventory and related monitoring data collection, tree marking, invasive species management, and field crew supervision.
- A valid Province of Ontario class ‘G’ driver’s license with access to reliable transportation. The GRCA will obtain a 3-year uncertified driver’s abstract of the successful candidate upon hiring.
- A current Police Vulnerable Sector Check is required upon hiring.
- Applicants must be capable of working safely outdoors for entire days without supervision and in inclement conditions, including in remote areas, rough terrain, adverse weather, and in proximity to natural hazards (e.g. insects, poison ivy).
- Applicants must be capable of physically demanding labour and highly aware of safety procedures in accordance with the GRCA Health and Safety Policy.
- Native/non-native tree, shrub, plant and wildlife identification skills, particularly for species found in the Oak Ridges Moraine and/or Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest regions.
Other Skills and Assets
- Comfort working outdoors and with pesticides, and supervising individuals in such duties.
- A passion for good forest management in southern Ontario and initiative to explore topics of interest.
- Basic navigational skills including experience using field GPS units, compass, map and air photo interpretation.
- Strong computer skills and experience with MS Word, Excel, ArcGIS and AGOL tools/applications such as Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps and Quick Capture.
- Experience in the safe operation and maintenance of manual/mechanized field equipment, including but not limited to brush saws, chainsaws, backpack sprayers, and off-road vehicles.
- Familiarity with the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) and its requirements.
- Certifications considered as assets include:
- Provisional or student membership in the Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA) with aspirations to attain Full or Associate membership in the future.
- Ontario Forestry/Landscape Exterminator License or Pesticide Technician Certification.
- Managed Forest Plan Approver accreditation.
- Ontario Tree Marking Certification or course completion.
- Chainsaw Operator license.
- First Aid and CPR Certification.
Please send a cover letter and resume clearly demonstrating how you meet the qualifications no later than Thursday March 27th, 2025 to:
Gus Saurer, R.P.F.
Forester – Ganaraska Forest
gsaurer@grca.on.ca
—-
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
2216 County Road 28,
Port Hope, ON, L1A 3V8
—-
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Authority will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you are contacted regarding this competition and you require disability related accommodations, please inform Human Resources.
About Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority’s overall goal is the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources on a watershed basis, while providing for the public enjoyment of the lands it oversees.
