National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

8 - Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

These occupations include supervisors and equipment operators in the natural resource-based sectors of mining, oil and gas production, forestry and logging, agriculture, horticulture and fishing. Most occupations in this category are industry specific and do not occur outside of the primary resources industries.

Occupations within this category generally require completion of college or vocational education programs. Some of these occupations, however, are characterized by on-the-job training and progression through experience.

84 - Workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production

This major group comprises workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations, which usually require completion of secondary school and some training, a licence or certification. It includes mine service workers and operators in oil and gas drilling; logging and forestry workers; agriculture and horticulture workers; and other workers in fishing, trapping and hunting occupations.

842 - Logging and forestry workers

This minor group includes chain saw and skidder operators; and silviculture and forestry workers. They are employed by logging companies, contractors, and government services.

8421 - Chain saw and skidder operators

Chain saw and skidder operators operate chain saws to fell, delimb and buck trees, and operate skidders to move or yard the felled trees from the logging site to the landing area for processing and transportation. They are employed by logging companies and contractors.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • bucker
  • chain saw operator - logging
  • faller
  • feller
  • forest worker - logging
  • grapple skidder operator
  • landingman/woman
  • pieceworker - logging
  • skidder operator

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Logging and forestry labourers (See 8616 Logging and forestry labourers)
  • Logging contractors and supervisors (See 8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry)
  • Logging machinery operators (See 8241 Logging machinery operators)
  • Silviculture and forestry workers (See 8422 Silviculture and forestry workers)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate chain saw to fell, delimb and buck trees at the logging site and loading area
  • Operate cable, or grapple skidder to move or yard the felled trees from the logging site to the landing area for processing and transportation
  • Assess site, terrain and weather conditions before felling and yarding trees
  • May work as member of a team rotating between chain saw operation and skidder operation
  • May maintain and perform minor repairs on skidders, chain saws and other equipment.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • Completion of a college program for forest workers may be required.
  • Formal training in chain saw operation and maintenance and several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
  • Previous experience as a logging and forestry labourer or logging machine operator may be required. Experience requirements vary depending on the type and location of woodlands operations.
  • Provincial certification or a forest worker program certificate is required in some provinces.
  • Trade certification for fallers is available, but voluntary in Quebec.
  • Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and first aid certificates may be required.

• Additional information

  • There is a trend toward company certification of chain saw operators in larger companies.
  • Chain saw operators often must own and maintain their own chain saw.
  • There is some mobility among jobs within this unit group as chain saw and skidder operators often work in teams and rotate jobs.
  • Mobility may be limited from eastern and central forest zones to western forest zones where tree size or steep terrain may require different cutting and yarding methods.
  • Progression to logging machinery operator positions is possible with experience.
  • Progression to supervisory positions or self-employment as a logging contractor is possible with experience.

8422 - Silviculture and forestry workers

Silviculture and forestry workers perform a variety of duties related to reforestation and to the management, improvement and conservation of forest lands. They are employed by logging companies, contractors and government services.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • clearing saw operator - forestry
  • forest firefighter
  • forestry crew worker
  • pieceworker - silviculture
  • scarification equipment operator - forestry
  • silviculture worker
  • thinning saw operator

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Arborists (See 2225 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists)
  • Chain saw and skidder operators (See 8421 Chain saw and skidder operators)
  • Forest nursery workers (See 8432 Nursery and greenhouse workers)
  • Forestry professionals (See 2122 Forestry professionals)
  • Forestry technologists and technicians (See 2223 Forestry technologists and technicians)
  • Logging and forestry labourers (See 8616 Logging and forestry labourers)
  • Supervisors, logging and forestry (See 8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Assess site, select seedlings and plant trees using manual planting tools in reforestation areas
  • Operate power thinning saw to thin and space trees in reforestation areas
  • Operate chain saw to thin young forest stands
  • Control weeds and undergrowth in regenerating forest stands using manual tools and chemicals
  • Complete firefighting reports and maintain firefighting equipment
  • Dig trenches, cut trees, pump water on burning areas to fight forest fires under direction of fire suppression officer or forestry technician
  • Operate and maintain a skidder, bulldozer or other prime mover to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated
  • Perform other silviculture duties such as collecting seed cones, pruning trees, assisting in planting surveys and marking trees for subsequent operations.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • Completion of a college or other specialized program for silviculture workers or forestry crew workers may be required.
  • Formal training in power saw operation and maintenance and several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
  • Experience as a logging and forestry labourer may be required.
  • A chemicals application licence is required.
  • Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) certificates may be required.
  • A silvicultural worker's licence may be required.

• Additional information

  • There is some mobility among jobs in this unit group.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
  • Progression to forestry technician or technologist is possible with additional education and training.