Forest Resources Inventory (FRI) Specialist in Sault Ste. Marie

Apply By: Thursday, November 5, 2026 11:59 pm EST

1 Permanent, 1 Temporary assignment/contract for up to 4 months, with the possibility of extension.

Job code: 14504 - Geoscientist 2

$1,373.31 - $1,732.13 Per week*

*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Can you look at stereo-imagery and tell the difference between poplar and birch, or spruce and balsam fir? If you can, bring your imagery interpretation experience, Geographic Information System (GIS) expertise and landscape ecological understanding into our team environment where you will be a key contributor to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), in ensuring that resources are protected, valued and being used to their maximum efficiency.

This position is designed to provide image interpretation support to a dynamic and integrated multi-disciplinary team of foresters, remote sensing specialists, database/modelling specialists, ecologists, resource technicians, and policy specialists engaged in an innovative lidar based area-based assessment inventory process as well as other major feature extraction projects supporting land and resource mapping across Ontario.

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• a defined benefit pension plan
• maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• comprehensive health plan
• life and disability insurance
• flexible work arrangements
• collegial and professional work culture
• career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• on-the-job training to support your success in the role

About the job

In this role, you will:

• interpret and analyze aerial, satellite, and remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) imagery, lidar, elevation models, and other remote sensing data to identify forest stands, ecosystems, wetlands, soils, and non-productive areas
• create spatial data layers by conducting advanced image interpretation of terrestrial ecological features using high resolution imagery and point cloud data
• conduct quality assurance and quality control audits of forest inventory to ensure compliance with provincial standards
• provide continual collaboration with colleagues and senior staff
• support contract deliverables and oversight of contract deliverables

What you bring to the team

Image interpretation and technical knowledge:

• extensive knowledge of image interpretation and remote sensing, along with stereoscopic vision to meet FRI imagery interpretation standards
• extensive knowledge of GIS and spatial data analysis
• knowledge of forest ecology and tree identification
• knowledge of soils, landforms, and environmental science
• knowledge of forest inventory standards and quality control

Analytical skills:

• ability to troubleshoot software and technical issues, and provide alternative solutions
• ability to evaluate tree species composition, age, height, crown closure, site productivity, drainage, and disturbance patterns to accurately classify forest stands and ecosystems

Project management and organizational skills:

• time management skills to ensure project tasks and interpreted map products are completed and documented via project status reports
• work experience that demonstrates your ability to work on a variety of project tasks simultaneously

Interpersonal and communication skills:

• well developed interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team environment
• communication skills to provide team and partners with project updates showing reports, maps and/or statistical trend analysis

Computer and technological proficiency:

• knowledge of cloud-based storage and computing technologies
• knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques

Don't meet every qualification? If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy

1 English Permanent, 421 James St S, Thunder Bay, North Region or 1235 Queen St E, Sault Ste Marie, North Region

1 English Temporary, duration up to 4 months, 421 James St S, Thunder Bay, North Region or 1235 Queen St E, Sault Ste Marie, North Region

Language requirements and assessment: All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.