|
 Traditional
forestry careers in Ontario are available in 2 sectors where forestry
related employment opportunities may be found, the Public Sector
and the Private Sector.
The Public sector includes all levels of government.
Federal, provincial and municipal governments employ foresters to
manage, maintain and administer forested lands owned by these governing
authorities. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible
for the management of the Crown forests on behalf of the people
of Ontario. Lands that are owned by governing authorities may be
used as provincial and city parks, conservation areas and research
institutions. Public sector employment opportunities are generally
posted on government websites as well as in some of the larger national
and local newspapers. The OPFA encourages the Human Resource departments
of government agencies to post their available forestry positions
on the OPFA website as well.
The Private sector consists of private companies and
institutions. These include pulp and paper, lumber and other wood
product industries, forestry research and biotechnology companies,
tree nurseries, educational institutions such as universities and
colleges, as well as many large and small independent consulting
firms and not-for-profit organizations. Most of these companies
will post career opportunities on their own websites as well as
in newspapers and again on the OPFA and other forestry related websites.
Most private consulting firms do not post job opportunities but
the networking opportunity of OPFA membership is an excellent way
to gain access to those positions.
An important consideration in finding employment is
the development of a personal "network" that will put you
in direct contact with individuals who may be familiar with current
employment opportunities in Ontario. A network is simply a group of
individuals who you can call on for advice or information and in this
case should be familiar with or have some personal contacts in forestry
in Ontario. These individuals may include relatives, colleagues, friends
and mentors. Discussions with them are very helpful in identifying
available opportunities.
FAQ's
Can I apply for a forestry position
without being a member of the OPFA?
Yes. There are many forestry
related jobs that do not necessarily require R.P.F. status. These
positions may be entry level or under the supervision of an R.P.F.
or may be such that the applicant would be expected to achieve
R.P.F. status at some future date.
How do I go about establishing
my network?
Start with people you know-friends, colleagues,
mentors (see notes on OPFA's mentoring program). Do they have
any personal contacts in forestry or do they know of anyone who
either has these contacts. Or, do they know of anyone who might
know someone else who knows someone who might have these types
of contacts? It is a matter of talking to people in order to make
contact with the individual (s) who have the knowledge and information
(employment opportunities) that you are seeking.
Other suggestions for establishing contacts include
visiting University of Toronto or Lakehead University to talk
to professors about possible opportunities, attending open houses,
public meetings on forestry issues, visiting forestry departments
in municipalities and conservation authorities.
Where are most of the employment
opportunities located?
The majority of employment opportunities are located
outside of the major urban centres of Toronto, Ottawa and London.
Most are located in Northern Ontario (that part of Ontario north
of the French River) so a willingness to relocate is a consideration.
What is the best way to set
up my resume?
It is suggested that applicants use examples of
resumes that are available in books at the bookstore or library.
Is the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
the only source of government employment in Ontario?
No. Positions are also available with the Government
of Canada, in municipal government, conservation authorities and
with government agencies, boards and commissions.
Will a volunteer position help
me gain employment?
Yes. Such positions are usually available in not-for-profit
organizations (eg. Ontario Forestry Association, Ontario Nature,
etc.). Volunteering provides individuals with the opportunity
to practice their skill sets in a working environment, gain first
hand knowledge about forestry issues, to demonstrate professional
ability and to develop a personal network. Most of these types
of organizations have websites that describe their activities
and job opportunities.
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This page last modified June 27, 2009 |
