Opportunities: Forest Photo Interpreter Technician (Forestry Technician 2(A)-(B)-3) in Truro

Competition #: 49508

Department: Natural Resources

Location: TRURO

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 04-Sep-26 (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 Lands and Forestry is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown land. 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.

About Our Opportunity

As a Photo Interpretation Technician, you will be part of a specialized team responsible for maintaining the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of Nova Scotia’s interpreted forest inventory data, ensuring it meets established standards and specifications.

Your responsibilities include:

• To interpret Nova Scotia tree, shrub and ground cover species, height, crown closure and forest stand storeys through stereoscopic viewing of aerial photography using softcopy systems.
• Conduct quality control reviews of interpreted inventory data to verify accuracy, consistency, and adherence to provincial forest inventory requirements.
• Working directly with contract interpreters to provide feedback and achieve improvements in the data capture.
• Collaborate closely with supervisors, contractors, data editors, data managers, and other departmental staff to ensure forest inventory attributes, sampling methodologies, specifications, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes are clearly understood, consistently interpreted, and accurately applied.
• Support the ongoing improvement of inventory interpretation processes, standards, and quality management practices.

This position reports to the GIS and Forest Inventory Program Administrator Officer.

About You

This opportunity may be right for you if you have graduated from a recognized forestry technician program. This is a highly specialized technical position that does require working knowledge and experience with softcopy systems (photogrammetric stereoscopic viewing software and hardware for capturing inventory data in GIS software) and forest air photo interpretation in Nova Scotia or similar forest types.

Qualifications and Experience

As a Photo Interpretation Technician, you must have:

• The ability to differentiate between major colour groups on imagery and to perceive landscape elevation and vegetation height using an on-screen stereoscopic viewer.
• Working knowledge and experience interpreting forest attributes from aerial imagery, including tree and shrub species, tree height, crown closure, and forest stand structure, using softcopy systems.
• Experience in forest inventory data collection, timber cruising, Forest Ecosystem Classification (FEC), and related forest measurement and assessment programs.
• An understanding of forest succession, stand dynamics, and forest inventory standards is considered an asset.
• Strong tree and woody plant identification skills, including the ability to identify Nova Scotia tree species, shrubs, ground vegetation, and soil characteristics throughout the year.
• Knowledge of current forest inventory specifications, sampling methodologies, and quality assurance/quality control principles.
• Experience measuring forest attributes using a variety of field equipment, such as electronic and manual hypsometers, diameter tapes (D-Tapes), increment borers, prisms, angle gauges, and GPS units.
• The ability to safely navigate and work in remote and rugged environments using aerial imagery, GPS technology, maps, and/or compass navigation.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively and professionally with contractors, colleagues, stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to provide objective, constructive feedback while maintaining positive working relationships.
• The ability to conduct fieldwork in various weather conditions and terrain types.
• The ability to frequently lift, carry, and use field equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 kg (45 lbs).
• The ability to travel to remote field locations throughout Nova Scotia.
• A valid Nova Scotia Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent).

Other Assets would include:

• Current training in First Aid, WHMIS, ATV operation, chainsaw safety, boating safety, canoe use, radio communication, workplace respect and violence prevention, bear awareness, and defensive driving.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.

Working Conditions

Please note that this position is mostly an office position with high visual demands and continuous viewing of computer monitors. Some field work is required which could require the use of company vehicles, ATV’s and long-distance walking to remote areas in all weather conditions.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Truro, Nova Scotia.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.

Pay Grade: TE 16 - TE 25

Salary Range: $1,905.03 - $3,182.69 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link: Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.