JOB PROFILE
Position #’s 1962, 3914, 4374, 106916
TITLE: SEED ORCHARD TECHNICIAN
CLASSIFICATION: STO18-RES
MINISTRY: FORESTS, LANDS & NATURAL RESOURCE OPERATIONS
WORK UNIT: TREE IMPROVEMENT BRANCH
SUPERVISOR TITLE: SEED ORCHARD SUPERVISOR
SUPERVISOR POSITION #: VARIOUS
JOB OVERVIEW
The Seed Orchard Technician carries out and supervises a wide variety of seed orchard management,
operational and technical activities with the goal of producing high quality genetically improved seed and
excellence in seed orchard management.
ACCOUNTABILITIES

Identifies and prepares for daily, monthly and annual seed orchard management activities according to the
season, tree species and its life cycle. Assesses conditions, organizes equipment and coordinates the range
of operational activities.

This supervisory position coordinates and/or carries out operational activities including: planting and
maintaining trees and cover crops, weeding, pruning (mechanical and root), rogueing, pollen management,
cone induction, cone collection/harvest, seed extraction, cone/seed storage, pre-curing and shipment.

Coordinates and/or carries out technical responsibilities encompassing: propagating/grafting stock;
observing, sampling, testing and evaluating cones/seeds; determining deficiencies or abnormalities; and
prescribing and implementing remedies/treatments.

Throughout the annual growth cycle, the Technician monitors worker productivity, adjusts activities and
regimes, and ensures accurate records are maintained.

The Technician supervises staff and provides technical direction to seasonal staff on a daily basis; provides
technical input into seed orchard planning, development and management, as determined by the Seed
Orchard Supervisor.

As a supervisor directly and indirectly supervises a staff of 2-50 auxiliary workers. Assists with hiring, trains
and provides functional direction to seasonal staff. Assigns tasks, monitors activities, provides constructive
support and feedback, records hours worked or approves timesheets.

Carries out or supervises the random and selected sampling and assessment of foliage and soil for
moisture, nutrients (pH), pests/disease, mechanical damage and other abnormalities to diagnose issues
and their scope, and determines the appropriate regimes or one-off treatment (i.e. determining irrigation
schedules or prescribing a fertilizer or pesticide application).

Coordinates and/or carries out pest monitoring such as spruce gall, aphids, spider mites, balsam woolly
adelgids, etc. to assess the efficacy of treatments. Designs and implements mechanisms to protect crops
from other pests such as rodents, birds, and mammals. Consults supervisor and pest management
biologist where unusual, difficult or high-risk issues are identified.

Maintains an inventory of equipment and supplies including fertilizer and pesticides, and updates the
fertilizer and water schedule forms. Supervises or contracts out small repairs and modifications to
facilities and equipment.

Provides technical and administration support during seed and cone research trials including setting up
trials, carrying out trial management activities and treatments, and observing, recording and reporting
results.

Provides recommendations for improvements to gene resource management and orchard operations
activities and approaches. Incorporates changes into activities where approved.

Ensures the accurate and complete recording of data from observations, surveys, measurements and
testing to ensure critical information is maintained on lineage, characteristics, phenology, operational
activities and technical treatments.

Trains staff on seed management activities and treatments, equipment usages and WorkSafe BC work
practices. Drafts, updates and explains written guidelines, and monitors compliance. Actively participates
in the site safety committee and maintains MSDS sheets, safety information, posting and first aid
equipment/supplies.

Contributes to site financial administration including tracking and compiling costing information, reviewing
invoices for accuracy, providing input into budget, writes and/or assists with proposal preparation for
external project funding. Assists with budget preparation including monitoring, cost control, and reporting

Purchasing card holder, and qualified receiver. Purchases supplies and equipment using accepted
procurement methods, including obtaining quotes and information for bids.

Coordinates site preparation and construction, and maintenance and repairs of existing or new drainage,
fencing, roads, and irrigation systems. Provides input into contracts and provides direction to contractors
and monitors the quality of work.

Using accepted procurement practices, prepares and implements contracts up to $25,000 in value.
Monitors performance, providing functional direction and verifying satisfactory performance, and
authorizes payment as qualified receiver.

Monitors contractor work for major infrastructure projects, Expense authority in supervisor’s absence.

Carries out other related duties such as site security contact, providing tours and performs related duties
to help manage peak workloads when required. Assists the Seed Orchard Supervisor during peak work
periods in higher level duties.
JOB REQUIREMENTS

Diploma or degree or in forestry, horticulture, agriculture or related resource management. Consideration
may be given to candidates who have substantially completed a technical diploma or degree (in forestry,
horticulture, agriculture, or related resource management) and are willing to commit to completion of
diploma or degree within a specified time frame.

Minimum two (2) years’ experience in forestry, horticulture, or agricultural operations preferred, carrying
out a range of operational and technical activities

Direct tree seed orchard experience preferred but not required.

Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate own activities and supervise seasonal staff and
contractor activities.

Ability to conduct technically exacting sampling, surveys and analyses and record/report data.

Demonstrated ability to communicate verbal and written information clearly and concisely.

Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills in dealing with co-workers, contractors, clients, suppliers, and
the general public.

Demonstrated proficiency with computers and applications including Microsoft Office Suite and
customized data bases. Knowledge of conifer biology and physiology, and seed orchard pests with respect
to seed orchard operations and technical activities.

Working Knowledge of safe pesticide storage, preparation and application practices.

Basic knowledge of contract administration and financial management and control.

Valid BC Driver’s licence.



Valid seed orchard pesticide applicator certification, valid level one first aid or ability to obtain and
maintain these certifications.
Required to apply chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Willingness and ability (physically fit) to lift, operate and/or move pallets, trees, bags of fertilizer, cones,
other bulk materials, chain saws and other power tools, heavy ladders weighing up to 50 lbs, for intensive
seasonal time spans and shorter periods on an ongoing basis.

Willingness and ability to work at heights using lifts and ladders for extended periods of time.

Willingness and ability to work irregular hours when required such as call-outs to address emergencies and
travel away from the work site.


Willingness to actively participate in meetings, workshops, and training sessions relevant to the position.
Working conditions include working the majority of time outdoors with machinery in a variety of
conditions including inclement weather, noise, fumes, uneven terrain and physical hazards related to
working with equipment.
Working with potential allergens such as pollen, grass, insects and chemicals.
Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, including 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).


COMPETENCIES
Teamwork and Cooperation is the ability to promote a welcoming, productive climate, good morale and cooperation. Resolves team conflicts. Work co-operatively within diverse teams, work groups and across the
organization to achieve group and organizational goals.
Planning, Organizing and Co-ordinating involves proactively planning, establishing priorities and allocating
resources. It is expressed by developing and implementing increasingly complex plans. It also involves
monitoring and adjusting work to accomplish goals and deliver to the organization's mandate.
Analytical Thinking is the ability to comprehend a situation by breaking it down into its components and
identifying key or underlying complex issues. It implies the ability to systematically organize and compare the
various aspects of a problem or situation, and determine cause-and-effect relationships to resolve problems in
a sound, decisive manner.
Flexibility is the ability and willingness to adapt to and work effectively within a variety of diverse situations,
and with diverse individuals or groups. Flexibility entails understanding and appreciating different and
opposing perspectives on an issue, adapting one’s approach as situations change and accepting changes
within one’s own job or organization.
Problem Solving and Judgement is the ability to analyse problems systematically, organize information,
identify key factors, identify underlying causes and generate solutions.
Empowerment is the ability to share responsibility with individuals and groups so that they have a deep sense
of commitment and ownership. People who practice empowerment participate and contribute at high levels,
are creative and innovative, take sound risks, are willing to be held accountable and demonstrate leadership.
They also foster teamwork among employees, across government and with colleagues, and, as appropriate,
facilitate the effective use of teams.
Organizational Commitment is the ability and willingness to align one’s own behaviour with the needs,
priorities and goals of the organization, and to promote organizational goals to meet organizational needs. It
also includes acting in accordance with organizational decisions and behaving with integrity.
Information Seeking implies going beyond the questions that are routine or required in the job. It may
include “digging” or pressing for exact information; resolution of discrepancies by asking a series of questions;
or less-focused environmental “scanning” for potential opportunities or miscellaneous information that may
be of future use.
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.
Concern for Order reflects an underlying drive to reduce uncertainty in the surrounding environment. It is
expressed as monitoring and checking work or information, insisting on clarity of roles and functions, etc.