Download Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource
Operations
POSITION TITLE:
DIVISION:
(e.g., Division, Region, Department)
UNIT:
(e.g., Branch, Area, District)
SUPERVISOR’S TITLE:
SUPERVISOR’S CLASSIFICATION:
Range Agrologist
ENTERED BY:
85590
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource
Operations
Quesnel District
Range Officer
LSO 3
FOR AGENCY USE ONLY
APPROVED CLASSIFICATION:
POSITION
NUMBER(S):
LOCATION:
POSITION
NUMBER
PHONE NUMBER:
Quesnel
1720
250-992-4400
NOC CODE:
LSO2
CLASS CODE:
PHONE NUMBER:
PROGRAM (OPTIONAL)
District range staff carry out range agreement and range use plan administration and range resource
management in accordance with the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), regulations, policies and
guidelines. This includes planning and controlling the overall management of the range program within
specific areas of the district, developing range management plans and grazing systems, determining range
carrying capacity and recommending appropriate levels of grazing in an integrated management context,
administering all aspects of range agreement and range use plans including award, dispositions, renewals,
monitoring effectiveness of range agreement and range use plan conditions, providing extension services to
range users and the general public.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
Under the direction of the District Range Officer, the Range Agrologist is responsible for assisting in the
administration and implementation of the Range program within the District. Key duties include carrying out
District responsibilities in range program management, range resource management, and range use
management.
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SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES / DELIVERABLES
1. Determines range potential and plans the use of Crown range for designated areas of Crown Land by:
 Assessing the range resource to determine the desirability of establishing or maintaining livestock use
on Crown range by:
 Exercising professional judgment to determine the ecological and environmental factors;
specifically, range site data (plant species composition, species palatability, nutrition and
physiology)
 Considering other resource values and public concern;
 Exercising professional judgment to recommend the level of stocking, appropriate season of use,
potential conflicts, required range developments and operator inputs to achieve the desired level
of use;
 Conducting or requesting the acquisition of information on physical management features to
facilitate proper management of the range resources
 Recommending turnout date by professional assessment of plant species, plant physiology, class of
stock, soil stability etc.
 As directed, developing range use plans encompassing suitable grazing systems by:
 Considering the complex of variables which affect cattle movement, such as cow psychology;
operator ability and limitations; breeding period, seasonal trends in nutritive value of plants; water
locations and access, topography
 Applying a professional knowledge of grazing systems and their application to each unique, specific
situation;
 Evaluating whether plans and grazing systems in place are meeting district objectives by
professionally determining the levels and patterns of utilization and the causes; recommending
changes to the grazing system and/or designing range developments to achieve desired results.
2. Promotes principles of range management by:
 Maintaining a rapport with range users that encourages frank and positive exchanges of ideas and the
application of creative thinking to the management of the Crown range resource;
 Educating range users through discussions at Stock Association meetings, Resource Management Plan
meetings and workshops;
 Providing the public with a clear explanation of range management objectives through
correspondence, telephone and personal contact,
 Maintaining a close working liaison with all resource officers, compliance and enforcement staff, and
other district staff (field and office) which will allow them to be aware of range concerns and steps
necessary to address them.
3. In designated areas, and as directed, carries out rehabilitation and development of the range resource by:
 Evaluating denuded sites to determine what particular forage is appropriate in view of the
biogeoclimatic zone, type of site disturbance (cutslope, roadway, clearcut, etc.) and the purpose of
treatment (i.e. erosion control, watershed protection, forage production, conifer re-establishment or
aesthetics);
 Judging which poor condition range sites are suitable for and justify the expense of, an intensive
cultivation and reseeding program, as well as other developments (fences, water, etc.);
 Judging which poor condition range sites can be rehabilitated only by changes in management and
then designing an appropriate grazing system for the specific needs of the site and the users;
 Improving the effective utilization of a range unit by designing a management system incorporating
range developments (such as water development, fencing) that are consistent with all resource values;
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
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Designing appropriate structures.
Assisting with development of range burn plans.
4. Recommends range agreements, and range use plans for approval or rejection by the SDM by:
 Assessing potential for livestock grazing and then judging what grazing systems, stocking rate, period
of use, and class of stock would be acceptable;
 Assessing relative merits of competing applications;
 Having required advertising done;
 Recommending the appropriate range agreement and range use plan;
 Assists in having documents prepared and issued, revised, or transferred, as required.
5. Performs other related duties such as:
 Liaising with other agencies concerned with noxious weed control;
 Monitoring the implementation of the District Range Program activities in designated areas;
 Completing other related duties as assigned;
 Assists with training Ministry personnel in Range Management.
Acts as Range Officer in absence of District Range Officer as required.
DIRECT SUPERVISION (i.e., responsibility for signing the employee appraisal form)
# of Regular FTE’s
Role
# of Auxiliary FTE’s
Directly supervises staff
Supervises staff through subordinate supervisors
PROJECT /TEAM LEADERSHIP OR TRAINING (Check the appropriate boxes)
# of FTE’s
Role
# of FTE’s
Role
Supervises students or volunteers
Provides formal training to other staff
Lead project teams
Assigns, monitors and examines the work of staff
PREPARED BY
NAME:
DATE:
EXCLUDED MANAGER AUTHORIZATION
I confirm that:
1. the accountabilities / deliverables were assigned to this position effective:
2. the information in this position description reflects the actual work performed.
3. a copy has / will be provided to the incumbent(s).
NAME:
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SIGNATURE:
.
DATE:
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SELECTION CRITERIA
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION:
Must have:
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-
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Bachelor’s degree in appropriate applied science discipline, BSc in Agriculture, Range Management Major
preferred plus, three to five years of experience including various aspects of range management and
administration; or
An equivalent combination of education such as an equivalent degree in a renewable resource
management with a strong major in courses related to plant ecology and range management plus, several
years related experience including various aspects of range management and administration; and
Registered Professional Agrologist with the BC Institute of Agrologists or, immediately eligible for
registration as a Professional Agrologist upon employment with the ministry, with the British Columbia
Institute of Agrologists.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
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Basic knowledge of the principles of range management and grazing systems including but
not limited to cow psychology and breeding period, seasonal trends in nutritive value of
plants, operator ability and limitations, potential land use conflicts and physical
management features.
Basic knowledge of ecological and environmental factors regarding range site data including
but not limited to plant species compositions, species palatability, nutrition and physiology.
Basic knowledge of range rehabilitation and development including appropriate
treatments.
Basic knowledge of noxious weeds treatment and eradication.
Basic knowledge of the Forest Act, Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, Forest and
Range Practices Act, Range Act and all other related policy and procedures, regulations,
guidelines and legislation.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
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Ability to gather, interpret and analyze technical and subjective information on the range
and range issues and develop remedial strategies, options and guidelines to resolve
problems and issues.
Ability to develop range use plans, evaluate the plans and make necessary changes to
achieve desired results.
Ability to write a wide variety of documents, such as technical reports, briefing notes and
letters in a clear concise manner.
Ability to work in a computerized environment.
INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
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Ability to communicate in order to build and maintain effective working relationships with
individuals at various levels within and outside government.
Ability to plan, prepare and deliver oral presentations to diverse groups inside and outside
of government and provide technical information at a level appropriate to the audience.
Ability to work in a team environment.
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ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Demonstrated ability to independently manage own workload, set priorities, meet
deadlines, work under pressure and adjust to change.
WORKING CONDITIONS
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Valid B.C. driver’s licence.
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Ability to withstand the rigors of field work.
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Meet safety standards of Work Safe BC.
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May be required to operate a variety of equipment, including GPS, 4WD, ATV, snowmobile.
COMPETENCIES
Problem solving/judgement
Teamwork and cooperation
Partners with stakeholders
Listening, Understanding and Responding
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