Forestry Supervisor

Hampton Lumber•Fort St. James, BC

2h•CA$85,000 - CA$105,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Forestry Supervisor is responsible for planning, coordinating, supervising, and executing forest operations and support functions for sawmill feedstock (timber harvesting, road/bridge works, log procurement, fiber quality, silviculture). The ideal candidate has strong roots in the Fort St. James community or a genuine understanding of its people and values. You will manage contractors, personnel, budgets, and compliance obligations to deliver fiber to your sawmills in a safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective manner. You will serve as an interface with Government agencies, Indigenous communities, local stakeholders, and internal departments (e.g. procurement, planning, mill logistics). Your scope includes oversight of road and bridge design and maintenance, cut block development, harvesting operations, vegetation management, reforestation, silviculture follow-up, and quality control of delivered logs. You will also monitor performance, costs, and drive continuous improvement in wood supply operations.

Requirements

Registered Professional Forester (RPF) or Registered Forest Technologist (RFT), or equivalent registration in the relevant province, or eligible for registration.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in forest operations, woodlands management, or harvest supervision (forest road design, contractor management, logging oversight).
Experience working in forest-based industries, preferably supplying to sawmills.
Demonstrated experience in contract management, budgeting, cost control, and operational supervision.
Strong technical knowledge in forest engineering, harvesting techniques, silviculture, GIS, planning software, and forest regulations.
Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively and spend time in remote field settings (often under challenging terrain and weather conditions).
Ability to work in or relocate to the operational region/community (or willingness to relocate).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), GIS, forest management software (or willingness to learn) and strong data/analytical skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to interact with diverse stakeholders including Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies, contractors, and internal teams.

Nice To Haves

Strong roots in the Fort St. James community or a genuine understanding of its people and values.

Responsibilities

Lead, supervise, coach, and mentor forest operations staff and contractors; ensure adherence to safety protocols and practices.
Develop, review, and approve operational plans, block layouts, road and bridge designs, and harvest schedules in line with higher-level forest management plans and provincial legislation.
Monitor and enforce legal and regulatory compliance (e.g. cutting permits, environmental protection, riparian zones, terrain stability, wildlife, reforestation obligations).
Oversee contractor procurement, contract administration, performance evaluation, and payment processes.
Supervise and audit harvest operations (road building, harvesting, hauling) to ensure conformance to plan, cost, quality and safety targets.
Coordinate log quality control, measurement, and scaling processes to maximize value to the mill.
Plan and supervise silviculture activities (site preparation, planting, spacing, surveys, free-growing compliance) and manage regeneration liabilities.
Liaise with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, government agencies, and landowners to manage consultation, reconciliation, and permitting processes.
Prepare, analyze, and monitor budgets, cost forecasts, performance metrics, and operational reports.
Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying operational efficiencies, process innovations, and risk mitigation strategies.
Ensure data management and reporting (e.g. GIS, databases, wood supply systems) are accurate and current.
Participate in audits, certification reviews, and internal/external visits related to forest operations.