JOB OPPORTUNITY - Riparian Restoration

Written By Jasmine Bulbrook

Position Type: Spacer (8 positions available)

Location: Datlamen, Keats Creek

Position Summary:

Taan Forest is seeking interested individuals to conduct riparian restoration work by girdling and falling trees with chainsaws in designated areas along several stream systems within Taan Forest’s Tenures.  This is anticipated to be a 3-month position starting as early as August 15, 2026.

Under direct supervision of riparian specialists, you will be working five (5) days a week, Monday to Friday 7:00am to 5:00 pm, including crew travel time, excluding statutory holidays.  A marshalling point will be selected by crew supervisors based on project location.  You will be responsible for being at the marshalling point to drive with crew to the project site.  No individual or personal vehicles will be compensated.

Safety gear will be provided including hard hat, face screen, safety glasses, hearing protection and gloves.  You will be responsible for having your own bucking pants (Chaps will not be accepted), chainsaw safety caulk boots, and high-vis clothing.  You will be responsible for your safety gear and to have your safety gear with you and in use daily.  You will also be responsible for appropriate clothing as dictated by environmental conditions, your lunch and sufficient hydration for each day.

A chainsaw daily allowance of $20.00 will be provided.  You will provide your own professional grade chainsaw with a minimum of 52cc power and will be responsible for its maintenance and function. We recommend smaller lighter saws such as the Husqvarna 562XP or STIHL MS 362.  Fuel and oil will be provided.

You will be paid a daily rate of $250.00/day based on completing 0.1ha/day.  A production bonus of $250.00 will be provided for every additional 0.1ha completed in a day.  You will also be evaluated on safety performance and productivity that may adjust your daily earnings.  Those selected for driving crew trucks, designated first aid attendants and certified fallers will be compensated accordingly.

This project is specifically designed to address the previous damage inflicted on riparian areas and aims to restore habitat for various species, including Stads K’un Northern Goshawk, taan black bears, Guud eagles, St’aw.was saw whet owls, GudGaadu gamhlGal bats and other resident or migratory birds, while also stabilizing stream-side zones for sGwaagan salmon and other chiina fish species.

The restoration work entails reducing stand density from the current overly dense up to 3,500 stems per hectare to more typical mature and old-growth densities ranging between 500 and 850 stems per hectare. To achieve this, a combination of treatments will be employed. Some trees will be felled to contribute to forest floor biomass and soil carbon stocks. Other trees will be girdled and left standing to create snags that offer nesting sites, cavities, and foraging opportunities for Xidid birds, kayd k’adang woodpeckers, sduugal owls, GudGaadu gamhlGal bats, and daasGa squirrels. The remaining trees for treatment will undergo partial girdling or slashing, simulating the effects of a tree hit by another falling tree, to provide stressed trees that produce cone crops, serving as forage for daasGa squirrels and Xidid birds.  Non treated trees will contribute to stabilizing riverbanks, which will lead to improved sGwaagan salmon and other fish migratory and spawning habitat. The overall goal is to restore these riparian areas to their natural state, fostering biodiversity and supporting the delicate balance of the ecosystem for the benefit of both wildlife and the Xaayda Haida communities.

‍ ‍Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Safety of yourself and crew will be paramount

  • Effective use and maintenance of work and safety gear including chainsaws and caulk boots

  • Follow direction of Supervisor

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Chainsaw safety certificate

  • Experience running and maintaining chainsaws

  • Ability to work long, hard days in all weather types

  • Can lead or be able to take and follow direction of supervisor

Training, Education and Experience:

  • Chainsaw Safety

  • Level I First Aid

Note: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), S100 Basic Fire Suppression and Safety, and Taan’s Corporate Management System training will be provided.

How to Apply:

Please forward your resume and cover letter to info@taanforest.com with the subject line: “Riparian Restoration”, or drop your resume off at Taan’s Skidegate Office to the attention of the “Operations Forester”.

Preference will be given to Haida applicants. Only applicants selected to be interviewed will be contacted.

Application Deadline: July 28, 2026

Jasmine Bulbrook