Forest Health Program Specialist
The Ministry of Environment is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Forest Service Branch as the Forest Health Program Specialist, located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. As a member of the Silviculture, GIS and Forest Health unit and reporting to the Forest Health Program Lead, this position supports the provincial Forest Health operational programs that monitor and protect Saskatchewan’s forests from excessive damage by insects, diseases, and other disturbance agents.
Key Responsibilities
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Support the implementation, and establishment of surveillance, monitoring, and risk‑assessment systems to detect and track biotic and abiotic forest health disturbances throughout Saskatchewan.
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Transfer knowledge of technology and GIS applications to staff within the branch, other government agencies, and external clients.
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Support outreach and technical information transfer activities, including organizing and delivering workshops and field days to support public education on forest health monitoring and management.
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Contract administration including drafting and negotiating contracts, auditing contractor performance, authorizing and processing contract payments.
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Ensure compliance assurance for forest health activities by ensuring staff, contractors, stakeholders, the public, and landowners adhere to the ministry’s compliance and enforcement framework through conducting inspections, investigations and surveys.
Knowledge Requirements
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of:
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Long‑term monitoring systems that detect and measure the distribution, extent, and severity of forest health disturbances under a changing climate.
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Forest insect and disease impacts and management applications within the context of boreal forest ecosystems.
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GIS tools and data to spatially analyze and audit datasets to identify potential data gaps, overlaps and other errors.
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Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety regulations and workplace health and safety compliance.
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Provincial and federal legislation and policies related to forest health activities.
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Legislative and regulatory controls for forest health activities.
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Contract administration for forest health programs, including the general forest health monitoring program, Dutch elm disease (DED) surveillance and removals, the mountain pine beetle monitoring program.
Typically, the required skills and knowledge are obtained through completion of a science degree or technical diploma in forestry, or natural resources management. Previous work experience within the field of forest health monitoring and management will be considered an asset.
The position also requires an understanding of boreal forest management practices.
Membership in the Association of Saskatchewan Forestry Professionals is required within three years of hire.