Field Technician

Job Title: Field Technician

About Us:

KBM is an independently-owned natural resources consulting firm offering a range of services to clients in both the private and public sectors. Since 1974 we have been headquartered in Thunder Bay, ON along the north shore of Lake Superior. In 2011, KBM opened a satellite office in Prince Albert, SK and in 2024 we opened two additional office locations in Yellowknife, NWT and Fredericton, NB. All locations attract outdoor enthusiasts to explore the endless networks of parks, trails, rivers, and lakes.

KBM operates three tightly integrated business units: KBM Aviation, KBM Geomatics and KBM Field Services in addition to operating KBM Outdoors (an outdoor equipment and supplies retail store). KBM’s Field Services division has an operational territory that spans across Canada, with most work occurring in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. KBM provides a flexible, dynamic, and challenging work environment with opportunities to further your skills in a team-based atmosphere. Additionally, we offer competitive compensation and opportunities for growth within the company.

Job Description:

A primary focus of KBM Field Services division is Forest Resource Inventory (FRI) data collection. KBM is currently seeking Field Technicians with proven technical skills to join our Thunder Bay team to support our FRI data collection program in 2025. Field Technicians are responsible for contributing to all aspects of FRI data collection (forest mensuration, coarse woody debris measurement, vegetation and tree species identification, and soil classification). While candidates with a strong background in forest resource inventory data collection are preferred, specific job training will be provided for all successful candidates. FRI plot locations are not always truck accessible and often require UTV (or snow machine) operation or long walks (~1km) through the bush to access. Our field crews work rotating shifts during the season when working in remote locations. This schedule is flexible and may change depending on the location of a given project.

Outside of the FRI program, KBM Field Services completes a variety of other projects annually, including Forest Carbon Inventories, Aerial Forest Health Mapping, Stereo-photo Forest Interpretation, Environmental Due Diligence Surveys, etc. Successful candidates may be positioned to work on other projects depending on their experience and aptitude.

Typically, the field season runs from early May to November, but other projects may start as early as January or February. In-person training for this position will be provided. The start and end dates of the season may vary depending on suitable weather conditions. Work opportunities for students finishing and/or returning to school (e.g., May-August) are also available.

Required Skills:

• Background in Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Familiarity with tablet-based data collection applications (e.g., ESRI Survey 123 or Field Maps).
• Strong organization skills.
• Willingness to work extended shifts (~14 days) in remote areas.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Other skills that are considered assets include:

• Demonstrated experience using GNSS systems for navigation and data collection.
• Proficient use of ESRI suite products (ArcPro, ArcMap, AGOL, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience working in remote environments for extended periods of time.
• Demonstrated experience working outdoors.

Education and Experience:

• Degree, diploma, or currently enrolled in Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
• Previous work experience in precision forest data collection or other related disciplines.

To express interest in this opportunity, please forward a cover letter and resume to Stéphane Audet (saudet@kbm.ca) and Eric Bongelli (ebongelli@kbm.ca) with the subject line “2025 Field Technician”. We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Interviews for this position typically occur in February. While qualified candidates will always be considered, we encourage you to apply early.