BC Public Service - Internal Job Opportunities

BC Timber Sales (BCTS) is a unique program of the Ministry of Forests (MOF). Working collaboratively with regional and district operations, BCTS plans, develops, and auctions a substantial portion of the province’s annual available timber volume. BCTS operates as a for profit entity within a government organization.  Its goal is to provide credible representative price and cost benchmark data for the Market Pricing System through auctions of timber harvested from British Columbia’s public land. BCTS operations are guided by three overarching principles, forest sector safety, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and sustainable forest management.

A career path in BC Timber Sales offers exceptional opportunities to develop new solutions to complex problems, and to learn and grow personally and professionally. Existing and future BCTS employees have the opportunity to impact public and private forests, communities, the economy and the lives of British Columbians in positive and unique ways.

To find out more about our program check out the BCTS website.

The Team:

The Kootenay Lake Field Team is an established group of eight people who work together on everything from planning blocks and roads to ensuring areas reach free-growing status. You’ll collaborate closely with Planning Foresters and Operations Technologists in a supportive, results-focused environment where everyone’s ideas and experiences are valued. We are a young, energetic team that welcomes diverse perspectives and works together to help BCTS meet its goal of selling 20% of timber volume through fair and competitive auction.

The Role:

In this role, you will lead the development of about 125,000 cubic metres of timber each year, helping meet sales goals while supporting a large, multi-phase contract that provides work for 6–8 people. You’ll collaborate with Geoscientists, Hydrologists, and Biologists to solve challenges in some of the most complex terrain in Southern BC, bringing your unique perspective to thoughtful, responsible decision-making. We welcome people from all backgrounds who are looking for meaningful, rewarding work, a supportive field team, and a healthy work-life balance in a community like Kootenay Lake.

The Practices Forester is accountable for performing a wide variety of professional services including operational planning, cut block and forest road layout and development, planning and evaluating silviculture activities, and ensuring compliance with the Forest Stewardship Plan. The range of duties assigned to a particular Practices Forester will vary from Business Area to Business Area due to the geographic location, apportionment and management requirements.

Explore the opportunities and value working with our team can offer you: Why Work for the Ministry of Forests.

Job Requirements:

• A Registered Professional Forester (RPF) or be eligible for registration as an RPF with Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) and two (2) years of experience in operational field forestry activities.
• Operational field forestry activities include the following:
  • Timber harvesting monitoring/conformance
  • Cut-block development
  • Forest road engineering
  • Silviculture
  • Timber tenure development and administration
  • Planning integrated resource management

Preference may be given to applicants with one (1) or more of the following:

• Preference may be given to candidates with experience in more than one (1) operational field forestry activity.
• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples.
• Experience in contract management.

Provisos:

• Must possess at minimum a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence that does not limit or restrict the ability to conduct the duties of the job.
• Must be willing and able to withstand the rigors of fieldwork.
• Must be willing to work in adverse weather conditions.
• Must be willing and able to travel to meet job requirements.
• Must be willing and able to travel in fixed and or rotary winged aircraft and or watercraft.
• Must be able to maintain membership with Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) as a member in good standing.

For questions regarding this position, please contact ken.scown@gov.bc.ca

About this Position:
Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work up to 2 days at home per week subject to an approved telework agreement.
An eligibility list may be established for similar vacancies within the BC Timber Sales Kootenay Business Area: Kootenay Lake.
Applicants who do not fully meet the required qualifications may be considered for this position, but at a lower classification.

Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Inuit or Métis) applicants originating from the land now known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

The BC Public Service offers a healthy work/life balance, excellent benefits, including one of the best pension plans available, and a variety of opportunities for career learning and development. Regular, full time Professional Employee Association members are also entitled to 7% allowance in Lieu of Overtime Shiftwork and Standby (taken as time or money), have a 35 hour work week, and 4 weeks’ annual paid leave entitlement. To find out more, explore What the BC Public Service offers You.

How to Apply:
Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation.

Professional Designation: YES - Please include your registration number in your application. You must be registered (or immediately eligible for registration) as a Professional Forester with Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC). Note: immediately eligible for registration is defined as being able to transfer a current membership from an applicable jurisdiction. Applicants must confirm their eligibility with FPBC. Confirmation of registration/eligibility will be required before an offer of employment can be made. 

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

Helpful tips, videos and more regarding the application process can be found on the Your Job Application page of MyHR. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, e-mail BCPSA.Hiring.Centre@gov.bc.ca, before the stated closing time, and we will respond as soon as possible.

Additional Information:
CRC - A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.