Sustainable natural resource management

Position Title: Extension Specialist
Organization: Bulkley Valley Research Centre

Reports To: Extension Manger, Silviculture Innovation Program
Status: Full-time (35 hours/week), 2-year with potential for renewal

Location: Smithers, BC [with options for remote work in British Columbia]

Hourly Wage: $36.00 – $42.00 per hour, depending on experience

Application Closing Date: February 15th, 2026 or until suitable candidate is found

Who We Are:

The Bulkley Valley Research Centre is an independent, not-for-profit research hub located in Smithers, British Columbia, on the traditional territory of the Gitdumden Clan of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Founded in 2002, the Centre’s purpose is to support high-quality, inter-disciplinary research to inform and advance policy and practice related to sustainable natural resource management in BC.

Research initiatives involve collaboration amongst a range of stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations, academic institutions and other organizations. The Centre also connects researchers, practitioners and the wider community through seminar series, workshops, conferences, and other networking events.

The Centre is managed by an Executive Director and administrative staff, with research scientists and technicians running programs and projects, overseen by an active Board of Directors. Visit bvcentre.ca to learn more.

Silviculture Innovation Program:

In March 2023, the Government of BC announced an investment of $10 million in establishing and advancing a silvicultural innovation program (SIP) in BC. This investment was a direct response to Recommendation #12 of the Old Growth Strategic Review to create a program aimed at developing harvesting alternatives to clearcutting that maintain old forest values. The funds were awarded to the Centre to carry out and implement the SIP.

The purpose of the SIP is to improve knowledge regarding innovative silviculture systems through extension, applied and operational research. The Program goals are to:

• Assess the needs and state of knowledge of the forest management community;
• Link extension needs to a motivated network of forest practitioners around the province;
• Bridge existing gaps in knowledge that advance practices and inform policy;
• Develop projects to advance innovative silviculture practices and approaches to forest management.

Visit https://sip.bvcentre.ca/ to learn more

Position Summary:

The Extension Specialist will connect knowledge to practice by leading extension activities and the co-creation of products for projects funded by the SIP and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC). The Extension Specialist will lead extension activities for SIP grantees and FESBC proponents with support from both SIP and FESBC team members. The successful candidate will span technical and conceptual boundaries to identify outcomes and outputs of funded projects that help address knowledge gaps related to the economics and implementation of innovative or adaptive forestry practices, managing for multiple values, and supporting ecosystem health.

The Extension Specialist will have extensive knowledge or experience in forestry and will be a strong communicator (written and oral) with the ability to distill complex information for different audiences. They will work with grantees and the broader program to translate knowledge into digestible formats for different users/platforms and will be responsible for extending information in accessible ways between knowledge holders and practitioners.

Required Qualifications: BSc in forestry, forest ecology, natural resource management, cooperative extension, communications, or a related field with 5+ years of experience coordinating projects on forest management related topics.

Preferred Qualifications: MSc in forestry, forest ecology, natural resource management, cooperative extension, communications, or a related field with 2+ years of experience coordinating projects on forest management related topics. Experience in project management, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and tracking deliverables is an asset.

Communications and Knowledge Exchange Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in technical writing, science communication or public outreach, especially in an environmental or resource management context
• Strong writing, editing and storytelling skills
• Experience with communications plans, outreach and social media management
• Experience organizing events, workshops or webinars

Topic-Specific Familiarity and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of British Columbia’s forestry sector, such as forestry practices, operations, planning and implementation, multiple values (social, ecological, cultural, and economic), forest management principles and policy
• Knowledge and experience working with grant funded projects and/or applied research
• Understanding of reconciliation with Indigenous communities, respectful engagement with Traditional Knowledge, and working in ethical space

Responsibilities:

Co-create extension materials and resources which may include:

• • Project summaries and updates
  • Notes from the field
  • Technical and plain language extension notes
  • Guidance documents, decision aids, and best practices
  • Training and educational materials
  • Multimedia communications products (such as story maps)
  • Social media content and storytelling
  • Magazine articles (i.e. professional association publications)

Carry out activities that will support extension which may include:

• • Hosting regular virtual and in-person meetings with grantees and project team members
  • Hosting, supporting and attending conferences, workshops, webinars, workshops and other engagement activities
  • Leading and supporting field tours
  • Facilitating meetings or gatherings
  • Hosting invited and/or public presentations about funded grantee projects

Project Management:

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex tasks and deadlines; eager to develop or expand project management skills with structured mentorship
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the capacity to learn logic modelling

Basic Qualifications for Field Visits:

• Valid Class 5 BC driver license
• Ability to work in all types of weather conditions, long days and strenuous environments

Additional Information:

At the BVRC, we value diversity — in backgrounds and in experience. A diverse team enables the Centre to better achieve its objective of supporting research and extension in the public interest. The Centre is an equal opportunity employer and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in science. We strongly encourage members of groups that are underrepresented and/or historically excluded from these sectors to apply. Our compensation package includes a flexible work environment, adaptable scheduling, and strong support for work–life balance.

Apply:

To explore this opportunity further, please send a cover letter and resume with title formats as follows:

• Resume: “(Last Name) (First Name) – Resume”
• Email subject: “[Your Name] – Application for Extension Specialist”

Email to: sip.manager@bvcentre.ca

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