Forestry Summer Students - 2025

West Fraser Mills Ltd is hiring Forestry Summer Students for 2025 at various locations in Canada, including Quesnel, BC. Students will gain hands-on experience in Silviculture or Planning teams, with terms lasting 4 to 12 months. Responsibilities include site access, planting supervision, data collection, and operational planning. Candidates must be enrolled in a Forestry program, have basic outdoor skills, and be available from May 2025. Opportunities for future leadership roles or full-time positions are available.
West Fraser offers a range of exciting career opportunities for individuals seeking challenging and rewarding careers. Our Woodlands divisions currently have opportunities for motivated Forestry Summer Students - 2025.

West Fraser hires over 50 Forestry summer students annually throughout our Canadian operations in British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. You will gain hands-on experience and training in the forest industry on either our Silviculture or Planning teams. Our Forestry summer terms vary from 4 months, eight months, or up to 1 year, depending on your academic program schedule and how far along you are in your studies.

SILVICULTURE

In this role, you will access our sites, select seedlings, participate in planting supervision, conduct regeneration/free-growing surveys, insect probes, stand tending assessments and mark trees for subsequent operations. Your responsibilities include data collection and collaboration in other reforestation methods. Our silviculture team oversees growth & forest health monitoring and post-harvest site preparation.

PLANNING

This role is tasked with implementing the operational planning of road construction and harvesting programs related to various forest tenures while considering best methods and other related operational & strategic planning duties. Our planning team works closely with various stakeholders to ensure the development of stewardship & management plans and silviculture prescriptions & cutting permits, while ensuring a strict adherence to current legislation and land use planning practices.

Qualifications/Experience:
• Enrolled in a Forestry Degree Program or a Forestry Technical Diploma Program at an accredited post-secondary institution
• Prior forestry, agricultural or industrial experience considered an asset
• Must be available to commence work in May 2025
• Able to legally drive in Canada
• Basic outdoor and wilderness skills
• Strong work ethic
• Commitment to working safely and creating a safe workplace

Summer student opportunities are available in the following locations: Quesnel, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Smithers, Chetwynd, Sundre, Hinton, Blue Ridge, Slave Lake, Manning, Chambord, and La Sarre. Many of our students return to be crew leaders in subsequent summers or join our team full-time after graduation.

Your Workplace Location:

Quesnel, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Fraser Lake, Smithers, Chetwynd, Sundre, Hinton, Blue Ridge, Slave Lake, Manning, Chambord, and La Sarre. Many of our students return to be crew leaders in subsequent summers or join our team full-time after graduation.

About Us:

We make renewable, wood-based building products for the world, contributing to a more sustainable future. Today, West Fraser is one of the world’s largest producers of sustainable wood-based building products, with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. From responsibly sourced and sustainably managed forest resources, West Fraser produces lumber, engineered wood products (oriented strand board, laminated veneer lumber, medium-density fibreboard, plywood, and particleboard), pulp, newsprint, wood chips, other residuals, and renewable energy. West Fraser’s products are used in home construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers, tissue, and boxes.

What makes us stand out is our people-first approach. We value internal growth and continuous learning. Join us, and you'll enjoy competitive pay, great benefits, and an excellent pension plan, all in a supportive environment where your voice matters.

Diversity:

At West Fraser, we strongly believe promoting diversity and inclusion is essential to our success. Our commitment to creating inclusive workplaces is reflected in our core values, and we constantly strive to foster a culture that values and respects every individual’s unique background and perspective. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to be a part of a team dedicated to shaping a brighter future by embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity. Join our team at West Fraser and help us build a more diverse and inclusive community.

Sustainability:

West Fraser is fully committed to sustainable forest management as defined in our environmental policy, which is reflected in every aspect of our work. We adopt new technologies and innovations to create exceptional building materials. Wood products are a natural, renewable, recyclable, and environmentally sustainable choice for consumers who prioritize sustainability.

Sustainability Report | West Fraser

Learn more about us!

Discover West Fraser in Western Canada (youtube.com)

What's it like to work in Forestry at West Fraser? Shayna's story (youtube.com)