Area Forestry Technician

51516 - Thunder Bay - Rotation - 12 Months 

Hiring salary range: $4,457.19 - $4,741.71 / bi-weekly

Hydro One is proud to be the largest electricity transmission and distribution provider in Ontario, serving nearly 1.5 million customers. We have a long history in the industry with our roots dating back over 110 years to 1906. Since then, we have worked to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers and communities across Ontario. Today, we’re focused on providing exceptional customer service and ensuring we are building safe communities where we live, work and play.

It’s an exciting time to join the team at Hydro One!

General Accountabilities:

• Perform technical and administrative assignments to support the Provincial Technician and Forestry functions.
• Prepare technical specifications, estimates and documentation for a variety of capital, maintenance and customer demand programs.
• Notify Hydro One customers, vacant property owners and other agencies on pending vegetation management activities.
• Provide on-site monitoring and advice to contractors carrying out field projects.
• Monitor work programs schedules and costs and prepare summaries, reports and documents.
• Gather technical data relating to environmental projects and management plans.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual work programs.

Specific Accountabilities:

• Prepare technical specifications, graphics, agreements and estimates for forestry projects for all Integrated Vegetation Management activities both on Hydro One’s Distribution and Transmission rights of way, such as line clearing, brush control, customer demand work and landscaping.
• Recommend forestry measurement and environmental eco systems to evaluate maintenance programs, equipment and tool applications etc.
• Obtain right-of-way access, encroachment, tree plantation and tree replacement agreements.
• Provide asset condition assessments under the direction of Systems Planning.
• Use various peripheral computer software and hardware using such systems such as; TLGIS, CSS, Forestry Management System, FVMS, IREIS and computer products approved by Forestry Technician Superintendent and IM/IT.
• Prepare work orders, instructions, specifications, requisitions and tendering documents for contracted maintenance and capital work.
• Ensure specifications are communicated by Forestry Services internal crews and/or contractors.
• Monitor the progress of work for compliance with the scope and specifications of the contract.
• Document contractor performance and refer major matters of concern to the Contractor and to the Contract Manager (Hydro One).
• Assist in the preparation of variances and closures.
• Use various computer systems and historical records to obtain property ownership information.
• Collect information regarding easement and cutting rights for use by forestry staff in conducting maintenance work.
• Conduct property owner and customer notification and acquire permissions for maintenance, off cycle and capital work programs, where required.
• Attempt to resolve controversial issues and differences by explaining maintenance program objectives to property owners and agencies.
• Perform the necessary joint use activities associated with the forestry program in the area including visits with representatives of the area line section and joint users.
• Monitor, maintain and report records of work schedules, progress and history.
• Assist in the preparation of the work program by assembling a variety of reports, summaries, maps, schedules and other information.
• Compute, map, graph and collate information such as performance indicators, budget and work order status, program accomplishment and reliability data for use by supervisor to control the forestry program.
• Contact MTO, Bell, MNR, MOE, Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans and Parks Canada, etc. to obtain necessary permits to carry-out maintenance and capital work.
• Provide further details and follow-up on work schedules.
• Work with First Nations concerns, work approvals and Purchase Service Agreements.
• Maintain and control inventories of personal tools and equipment, office supplies, maps, personal protective equipment and materials.
• Make necessary inspections and abide by all rules as directed by Corporate Safety Rules and/or supervisor.
• Report immediately to supervisor any deficiencies or safety concerns.
• Arrange for transport and work equipment, tools and equipment to be maintained or repaired, as directed by supervisor and process resulting invoices and vouchers.  Participate in all training, as directed by supervisor.
• Participate in studies that may require the following-
• Providing data to groups such as Investment Planning and Construction and Environment
• Assist in the collection of information for presentation to internal or external groups;
• Collect workload study data;
• Assist with environmental monitoring;
• Investigate field complaints and damage claims.​
• Perform other duties as required.

Selection Criteria

Essential Knowledge:

• Requires a knowledge of environmental science, forestry theory and principles to perform investigative studies associated with distribution and transmission rights of way forest vegetation maintenance and management, the evaluation of tool equipment and methods.
• Requires a knowledge of forestry measurement and environmental eco systems to evaluate and recommend rights of way maintenance programs, equipment and tool applications etc.
• Requires a knowledge of computer technology to input and extract data to produce technical reports.
• Requires a knowledge of mathematics to perform estimates, variances and property assessments.
• Requires proficiency in English and technical report writing to carry out the preparation of correspondence and reports, and to facilitate verbal communication with others.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired either through the successful completion of Grade XII in a Secondary, Commercial or Technical School plus a two-year course of concentrated study in an Forestry Technician program obtained in the Province of Ontario from a College of Applied Arts and Technology, Polytechnical Institute or Community College or by having the equivalent level of education.

Essential Experience:

• Requires experience in forestry and construction work to be familiar with the use, operation and maintenance of tools and mechanical equipment related to distribution and transmission rights-of-way forest vegetation maintenance, work methods, practices and procedures encountered in activities such as line clearing, chemical brush control, brush cutting, access road development and station maintenance.
• Requires experience with transmission and distribution standards and specifications to understand capital, maintenance, contract monitoring, customer demand programs and asset condition assessments.
• Requires experience to be familiar with various records systems software packages to create and schedule work orders and manipulate data and access and record information for the administration of the forestry program.
• A period of up to four years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

At Hydro One we understand that the success and strength of our business rests with our people. When we develop their skills, we are investing in both their success and ours. To secure the best talent, we seek to create a workforce that reflects the diverse populations of the communities where we live and work and to create a culture based on safety, innovation and inclusiveness.

We are honoured to be recognized by Forbes in its list of Canada’s Best Employers for 2026. 

Thank you for considering a career with Hydro One, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you are having difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email careers@hydroone.com. Hydro One will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process.

Please note this email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.

"Employer of the year 2026"

Deadline: May 4, 2026

The base salary for this role considers a variety of factors, including candidates' knowledge, skills, experience, education, and any applicable collective agreement requirements for union-represented positions. Hydro One provides an extensive offering of programs to promote a culture of safety, wellbeing, inclusivity, and sustainability to enable our employees to be the best version of themselves. For management roles, compensation is based on the principle of pay-for performance compensation philosophy, and the amount of annual adjustments and incentive payments depends on how well you and the company perform (subject to plan terms). We encourage open dialogue about compensation with our Talent Acquisition Team, who can provide more detailed information specific to this role.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. 

Hydro One uses AI tools to assist in the screening and assessing candidates for this role. Our use of AI does not replace human decision-making.

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We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at Hydro One; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.