Explore unit group

Version:
NOC 2006 Version 1.0

8422 – Silviculture and Forestry Workers

Silviculture and forestry workers perform a variety of duties related to reforestation and to the management, improvement and conservation of forest lands. They are employed by logging companies, contractors and government services.

Profile

Index of titles Example job titles

  • Brush cutter - forestry
  • Clearing saw operator
  • Clearing saw operator - forestry
  • Collector, seed cones
  • Crew worker, forestry
  • Crewman/woman, forest fire suppression
  • Crewman/woman, forestry
  • Fire crewman/woman
  • Fire lookout
  • Fire suppression crewman/woman
  • Firefighter, forest
  • Forest firefighter
  • Forestry conservation worker
  • Forestry crew worker
  • Forestry crewman/woman
  • Forestry worker
  • Forestry worker - logging
  • Lookout - forestry
  • Operator, clearing saw - forestry
  • Operator, scarification equipment - forestry
  • Operator, scarifier - silviculture
  • Operator, spacing saw - forestry
  • Picker, seed cones
  • Pieceworker - silviculture
  • Precommercial tree thinner
  • Scarification equipment operator
  • Scarification equipment operator - forestry
  • Scarifier operator - silviculture
  • Seed cone collector
  • Seed cone picker
  • Silviculture worker
  • Spacing saw operator
  • Spacing saw operator - forestry
  • Thinning saw operator
  • Thinning saw operator - forestry
  • Tree pruner - forestry
  • Tree spacer - forestry
  • Clearing saw operator
  • Forest firefighter
  • Forestry crew worker
  • Forestry worker
  • Pieceworker - silviculture
  • Scarification equipment operator
  • Silviculture worker
  • Spacing saw operator
  • Thinning saw operator

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Silviculture and forestry workers perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Assess site, select seedlings and plant trees using manual planting tools in reforestation areas
    • Operate power thinning saw to thin and space trees in reforestation areas
    • Operate chain saw to thin young forest stands
    • Control weeds and undergrowth in regenerating forest stands using manual tools and chemicals
    • Complete firefighting reports and maintain firefighting equipment
    • Dig trenches, cut trees, pump water on burning areas to fight forest fires under direction of fire suppression officer or forestry technician
    • Operate and maintain a skidder, bulldozer or other prime mover to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated
    • Perform other silviculture duties such as collecting seed cones, pruning trees, assisting in planting surveys and marking trees for subsequent operations.

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • Completion of a college or other specialized program for silviculture workers or forestry crew workers may be required.
  • Formal training in power saw operation and maintenance and several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
  • Experience as a logging and forestry labourer may be required.
  • A chemicals application licence is required.
  • Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) certificates may be required.
  • A silvicultural worker's licence may be required.

Additional information

  • Progression to forestry technician or technologist is possible with additional education and training.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
  • There is some mobility among jobs in this unit group.

Exclusions

Breakdown summary

Broad occupational category
8 – Occupations Unique to Primary Industry
Skill level
C – Occupations usually require secondary school and/or occupation-specific training.
Major group
84 – Intermediate Occupations in Primary Industry
Minor group
842 – Logging and Forestry Workers
Version
NOC 2006 Version 1.0