Terrestrial Monitoring Technician – Forest Health

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 and Forestry.

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

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Refer to the “How to apply” section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

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

Note: This position may require flying in both fixed wing and rotary winged aircraft.

How do I qualify?

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 have the ability to undertake physically demanding fieldwork in all types of weather conditions, and travel extensively throughout the region.

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.

Additional Information

Address:

·       1 English Permanent, 1235 Queen St E, Sault Ste Marie, North Region

Compensation Group:

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Understanding the job ad – definitions

Schedule:

4.7

Category:

Science

Posted on:

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Note:

·       N-NR-207777/23

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.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee’s exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Tuesday, December 5, 2023 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.

The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario’s Human Rights Code .