JOB PROFILE
Position #: 00110804
TITLE: NATURAL RESOURCE MODELING SPECIALIST
CLASSIFICATION: SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL OFFICER R27
MINISTRY:
WORK UNIT:
FORESTS, LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCE
OPERATIONS - RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
SUPERVISOR TITLE: TEAM LEAD, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
FOREST ANALYSIS AND INVENTORY BRANCH
FOREST ANALYSIS AND DATA MANAGEMENT
SUPERVISOR POSITION #: 00004039
JOB OVERVIEW
The Natural Resource Modeling Specialist works in the Forest Analysis and Data Management group whose vision is to
be ”strategic, systems-level, critical thinkers who proactively engage in problem solving and decision making in the
natural resource sector”. The position designs, conducts, documents and interprets analyses of natural resources (1) to
enable statutory decision makers such as the Chief Forester to make robust, legally defensible, and timely decisions
regarding natural resource allocation, land use, and natural resource policy, (2) to support integration of emerging issues
including but not limited to climate change, and wildlife habitat management into strategic forest analysis of timber
supply and other natural resource values, and (3) to support collaborative and integrative work by natural resource
sector staff across disciplines to reinforce the ministry’s role as the province’s “one land manager.”
The position provides expert advice to the Chief Forester, Minister, ministry managers and staff, the forest industry, and
the public on the interpretation and implications of analysis results as well as on the uncertainties associated with
results. The Natural Resource Modeling Specialist assists in the development of specific components of analysis models
or systems, develops procedures for preparing spatial data for use in strategic-level natural resource models and
provides related training or advice to a broad range of contacts.
ACCOUNTABILITIES

Investigates and analyzes various natural resource values including: assessment of the interactions and trade-offs
among different resource values (e.g., assessing the risks to wildlife and its habitat of different of timber supply
forecasts); and assessment of the cumulative effects of multiple land and resource management activities on
resource values.

Much of the work of the Branch relates to estimating timber supply to support allowable annual cut determinations,
which only licenced professional foresters are eligible to practice. The Modelling Specialist must be familiar with the
limitations on their ability to engage in timber supply analysis, and any of their work that relates to estimating
timber supply must be supervised and approved by a licenced professional forester in the Branch with expertise in
timber supply analysis.

Conducts natural resource analysis projects. Acquires, verifies and manipulates spatial and non-spatial data on the
land base; data on the dynamics of values and processes such as timber, wildlife, water, visual quality, and climate,
as well as on related economic issues; and other relevant information on natural resource conditions and dynamics
for use in strategic-level modelling. Advises staff in headquarters, regions and districts on data requirements for
modelling; works with diverse staff in deriving adjustments to data inputs needed to increase accuracy; and
communicates analysis results including potential uncertainties.

Builds and utilizes various computer models or scenarios to assess the short- and long-term implications on forest
values of parameters related to the land base, natural resource dynamics (e.g. forest growth, ecosystem response to
climate change), and forest management practices; and to consider how related uncertainties impact outcomes.

Ensures that analysis inputs appropriately represent relevant resource conditions, dynamics and management
activities; that analysis provides information on all relevant issues and concerns; and that results are correctly
interpreted.

Provides advice to ministry executive and statutory decision makers in the natural resource sector regarding policy
development, resource allocation and stewardship issues, related to AAC determinations, cumulative effects,
wildlife and wildlife habitat, and other aspects of integrated decision making.

Collaborates with diverse program specialists across the natural resource sector to develop innovative analytical
approaches to improve understanding of policy, management, and analysis problems. This task involves leading or
participating in development of natural resource models using high-level programming languages, specialized
software or geographic information systems, in collaboration with specialists and technical experts from a range of
natural resource fields.

Collaborates with program specialists in the natural resource sector to develop and recommend standards for
spatial data preparation, inputs, analysis and reporting.

Develops analysis models, prototypes or systems, and evaluates new systems or models for applicability to issues
being addressed and compliance with applicable policy and legislative requirements.

Participates in regular peer reviews of the work of natural resource analysts and modelers in the team to ensure a
high standard of work.

Uses judgment to synthesize and interpret information from analysis results, research reports, natural resource
policies, and other published and unpublished sources, as well as input from natural resource experts, to provide
critical advice to senior Forest Analysis and Data Management Section staff and directly to the provincial chief
forester.

Uses conflict resolution skills to reconcile divergent views among government staff, licensees, consultants, other
stakeholders, and First Nations regarding problem definitions, analysis inputs, analysis requirements and
interpretation of results.

Develops technical content to support natural resource decision processes and development of policies. Reviews
draft decision rationales (e.g., non-professional forestry aspects of AAC rationales) and briefing materials (e.g.
cabinet submissions and briefing notes) to ensure technical validity.

Assists in preparation of extension and training materials, seminars and demonstrations to staff and clients (e.g.
resource planners, forestry industry representatives).

Provides input into program planning, budgeting and policy development processes and drafts letters, memos and
reports on natural resource analysis issues.

Provides advice to other jurisdictions through the Inter-Provincial Resource Analysts group on trends, issues,
policies, modeling techniques and approaches regarding natural resource modeling and management issues, as well
as recommending best practices from other jurisdictions for use in BC.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience:

Graduation with a degree in a natural resource field such as wildlife, fisheries, forestry, ecology, or natural resource
management, from a recognized university, preferably with a post-graduate degree with specialization in natural
resource modeling, quantitative methods, resource economics and/or geographic information systems.

At least five years of experience in the use and/or development of resource analysis models subsequent to an
undergraduate degree, or at least three years subsequent to a post-graduate degree, or an equivalent combination
of education and experience.

Demonstrated experience and ability to build and use models of natural resource systems using high-level computer
programming languages or specialized modeling software.

Demonstrated experience providing advice to decision makers regarding policy development, and resource
management, allocation and stewardship issues, preferably in the natural resource sector.

Demonstrated experience and ability to build and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships and
effectively liaise with internal and external staff and stakeholders, and preferably with First Nations.

Demonstrated experience and ability to organize, manage, and complete a number of concurrent projects.

Demonstrated experience and ability to develop, explain, and present findings, reports and summaries of results
both verbally and in writing, in a clear and concise style that is appropriate to the audience.

Experience in negotiating/mediating solutions in natural resource management is preferred.

Experience with GIS and related GIS applications

Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal
records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as
required by the ministry (Note: It is important that you read the job posting carefully to understand the specific
security screening requirements pertaining to the position).
Knowledge and Abilities:

Working knowledge of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations mandate, structure and
legislation.

Considerable knowledge of statistical methods, statistical analysis software packages, GIS and GIS-related
applications, and the ability to use them to build models, and to interpret and communicate analysis results.

Considerable knowledge of concepts associated with integrated natural resource management and planning; of
natural resource and ecosystem dynamics at scales ranging from site, to landscape, to strategic management units.

Demonstrated knowledge of multidisciplinary issues involved in natural resource management.

Ability to apply analytical processes in an innovative and imaginative way to solve problems.

Demonstrated ability to analyze and make reasonable and accurate forecasts or judgements based on analysis
results.

Ability to deliver presentations to senior management, industry and community, and to facilitate workshops.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Problem Solving/Judgement is the ability to analyze problems systematically, organize information, identify key
factors, identify underlying causes and generate solutions.

Service Orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients who may include the public, colleagues,
partners (educational institutes, non-government organizations, etc.), co-workers, peers, branches,
ministries/agencies and other government organizations. It means focusing one’s efforts on discovering and
meeting the needs of the customer and client.

Results Orientation is a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one's own past
performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one
has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement). Thus, a unique
accomplishment also indicates a Results Orientation.

Teamwork and Cooperation is the ability to work co-operatively within diverse teams, work groups and across the
organization to achieve group and organizational goals.

Conceptual Thinking is the ability to identify patterns of connections between situations that are not obviously
related, and to identify key or underlying issues in complex situations. It includes using creative, conceptual or
inductive reasoning or thought processes that are not necessarily categorized by linear thinking.

Improving Operations is the ability and motivation to apply one’s knowledge and past experience for improving
upon current modes of operation within the Ministry. This behaviour ranges from adapting widely used approaches
to developing entirely new value-added solutions.

Innovation indicates an effort to improve performance by doing or promoting new things, such as introducing a
previously unknown or untried solution or procedure to the specific area or organization.

Decisive Insight combines the ability to draw on one’s own experience, knowledge and training and effectively
problem-solve increasingly difficult and complex situations. It involves breaking down problems, tracing implications
and recognizing patterns and connections that are not obviously related. It translates into identifying underlying
issues and making the best decisions at the most appropriate time. At higher levels, the parameters upon which to
base the decision become increasingly complex and ambiguous and call upon novel ways to think through issues.
For more information about behavioural interviews, competency definitions, and to watch interview videos please
visit: Competencies and the BC Public Service