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Keyword(s): "8422"

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.

Example Titles

  • clearing saw operator
  • forest firefighter
  • forestry crew worker
  • forestry worker
  • pieceworker – silviculture
  • scarification equipment operator
  • silviculture worker
  • spacing saw operator
  • thinning saw operator
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Main 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

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

Classified elsewhere

  • Arborists (in 2225 Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists )
  • Chain Saw and Skidder Operators (8421)
  • Forest nursery workers (in 8432 Nursery and Greenhouse Workers )
  • Forestry Professionals (2122)
  • Forestry Technologists and Technicians (2223)
  • Logging and Forestry Labourers (8616)
  • Supervisors, Logging and Forestry (8211)