Planning Forester
Location: Prince George & Kimberley, BC, and Edmonton, AB
Salary: $75,000 – $110,000 annually (commensurate with experience)
Position: Full Time, Permanent
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Company Overview
Geoterra Integrated Resource Systems Ltd. is a British Columbia–based consulting firm providing strategic, technical, and operational services to the natural resource sector. We are industry leaders known for safe, efficient, and effective project delivery across forestry, environmental, and land‑based development disciplines.
Position Overview
Geoterra is seeking a full‑time Planning Forester to support our Forestry Division. The successful candidate will contribute to forest development planning, permitting, and field execution while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary project teams. This role includes leading timber development activities, preparing technical documents, coordinating field programs, and ensuring compliance with provincial forestry regulations and company standards.
Job Highlights
- Competitive Compensation: $75,000 – $110,000 per year, based on experience.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Extended health and dental benefits, health and wellness for you and your family.
- Professional Growth: Support for training, certifications, and payment of professional dues.
- Diverse Work: Office and field-based work across a range of project types and client profiles.
- Team Environment: Join a positive, safety-focused team that values integrity and innovation in forestry.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Planning & Coordination
- Lead and coordinate forest development planning for a variety of clients and geographical areas.
- Prepare and manage development plans, including cutblock and road layout, reconnaissance, and feasibility assessments.
- Complete timber development deliverables such as site plans, Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) consistency checks, and permitting packages.
- Oversee project schedules, budgets, reporting, and documentation management.
- Field Responsibilities
- Conduct and supervise fieldwork including block and road layout, riparian classification, ecosystem identification, and GPS data collection.
- Direct and support field crews to ensure quality, efficiency, and safety.
- Compile, analyze, and interpret field data to support engineering, operational planning, and silviculture requirements.
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Develop and submit operational and strategic forestry applications, including cutting permits, road permits, and associated assessments.
- Ensure compliance with provincial forestry legislation, including the Forest Act, Forest & Range Practices Act (FRPA), and associated regulations.
- Liaise with government agencies, Indigenous groups, stakeholders, and clients to facilitate permit approvals and address regulatory requirements.
- Support environmental and safety requirements throughout planning and implementation phases.
- Technical & Team Support
- Prepare technical documents including development reports, site plan packages, harvesting recommendations, and mapping products.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary project team, providing forestry expertise and integrating environmental, engineering, and operational considerations.
- Offer guidance, mentorship, and quality assurance to technicians and junior staff.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Forestry or Natural Resource Management (or equivalent).
- Minimum 3–5 years of operational or development forestry experience in BC.
- Registered or eligible for registration as an RPF or RFT with the BC Association of Forest Professionals.
- Demonstrated experience with forest development planning, block and road layout, and permitting processes.
- Strong knowledge of BC forestry legislation, regulation, and planning standards.
- Experience supervising field crews and coordinating field operations.
- Proficiency with GIS‑based tools (Esri products), GPS data collection, and forestry‑related software.
- Excellent communication, organizational, problem‑solving, and technical writing skills.
- Valid Class 5 driver’s license.
Assets
- Advanced experience with ArcGIS, Esri Field Maps, and related spatial software.
- Training or certification in silviculture surveys, ecosystem classification, or forest engineering.
- Experience with supporting forest planning for Community Forest and First Nation Woodland license tenures.
- Experience with safety training relevant to forestry operations in BC.
- Experience working with Indigenous communities or stakeholder engagement.
- Strong competency in multidisciplinary project environments.
How to Apply
This posting will remain open until the successful candidate is hired (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). We encourage interested applicants to apply early. We thank all applicants for their interest in joining our team. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. We look forward to hearing from you!
Apply to this position in the Prince George Office