Landscape Research and Planning Forester

**Competition #**: 42573

**Department**: Natural Resources & Renewables

**Location**: TRURO

**Type of Employment**: Permanent

**Union Status**: NSGEU - NSPG

**Closing Date**: 26-Apr-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources including biodiversity, forests, geological resources, provincial parks, and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown lands. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.

The Department of Natural Resources & Renewables has broad responsibilities relative to the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the Province's Crown land.

As vital part of the Forestry and Wildlife branch, the Forestry division is responsible for developing and conducting research to improve forest management practices and develop strategies and conduct analysis and planning for sustainable development of our forests. We maintain a provincial forest inventory and a comprehensive digital (GIS) database, ecological landscape planning classification systems and wood supply modelling, provincial forest nursery and tree improvement programs, and develop program related tools.

About Our Opportunity

As Forester 3 (Landscape Research and Planning Forester), you will be part of the Landscape and Ecosystem Management team exploring diverse research topics and developing analysis tools for use throughout the province. You will work collaboratively with both internal and external partners to aid in the design of and conducting field research, along with formal reporting on research findings in support of the sustainable and ecological management of the biodiversity rich and sustainable forests of Nova Scotia.

The Forester 3 will be expected to work collaboratively within the department and understand the work of the Forestry division relative to the Forestry and Wildlife Branch priorities. They will also contribute to cross-departmental work to ensure research priorities, sustainable conservations, management, and use of the province's renewable resources, Crown lands, and forests. Ensures that planning, decision making, and management actions are based on the best scientific and traditional knowledge available and ensures that all uses are sustainable.

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Provincial Landscape Forester, your primary accountabilities will include:
Collaborating on the development of research plans as part of the landscape and ecosystem management team, along with conducting field activities in support of research priorities that contribute to the provincial goals of enhancing biodiversity, ecological sustainability, and economic prosperity.
Ongoing work on development and research related to Landscape Planning approaches to Nova Scotia Forest Planning System. This includes using Forest Management planning software to evaluate impacts of forest related activities on landscape indictors.
Using a landscape ecology approach, conduct research as part of a collaborative team on landscape indicators and tools including, but not limited to, ecological connectivity, habitats, natural disturbance patterns, mature forest targets, and natural range of variation.
Support the on-going development and adaptation of the provincial ecological land classification system.
Collaborate on various projects in support of provincial goals and objectives within the Department, with other provincial Departments, and across the private sector.
Providing the Manager with production reports, briefing notes, and presentations on project progress for senior management, internal and external stakeholders, and to the provincial Cabinet when requested.
Development, execution, and reporting of annual work plans and research strategies in cooperation with the Manager, other Divisions, and Branches within the Department.

We are looking for leaders who share our passion for Nova Scotia's forests and are committed to their long-term sustainability and growth.

Qualifications and Experience

**This may be the right opportunity for you if you**:
**MUST have**:
Bachelor of Science in Forestry and six years related experience, or a Masters degree in Forestry and four years related experience.

Training and/or experience in forest ecosystems, landscape ecology and/or landscape analysis.
Demonstrated experience with ArcPro (or ArcMap) including programming in Python.
Demonstrated experience with statistical software package R.
Experience with research reporting and/or academic publications.
The ability to communicate effectively (verbally and writt