A Career with Brinkman

A career in planting?! It may sound strange for those who look at the business as a quick way to pay for university or save for traveling, but for many (of us!) it has developed into a more or less full time job. For a start, a full season of planting – BC coast spring, BC interior/ Alberta spring and summer, Ontario spring & fall, coast fall – is 6 to 8 months on the shovel and can be extremely lucrative. Viewing, bidding, and preparing for next seasons’ work occupy our Project Managers and senior Crew Leads for much of the fall and pre-season, leaving little ‘down time.’

Brinkman provides training at all levels, and the management experience gained by those hardy and quick thinking souls who choose to take a leadership role is invaluable. We provide a steady stream of on-the-job training, as well as off-season internal and external courses and upgrades for our Managers.

Brinkman believes in the value of supporting the long-term health of our people. To this end, we have created a unique Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) program for all senior field managers. The HCSA provides up to $1000 annually for 100% reimbursement of medical expenses not covered by your provincial medicare system or other benefit plans and programs. Persons qualify at the start of their 4th year in a field management role. The program also recognizes individuals who have planted with us for 4 or more years and are entering their 3rd year in a field supervision role. The HCSA demonstrates our great appreciation for the experience they bring to our operations and their ongoing commitment to Brinkman.

Every year there are a few openings for new Crew Leads, Logistics Managers, Quality Assessors and Cooks on many of our crews. These entry level management positions can often lead to Project Management opportunities for persons with the right attributes. It’s not for everyone, but those that do always value the experience whether they continue in the industry or utilize their skills elsewhere.

To Apply for any Field Management position, please email hiring@brinkman.ca with your resume.

Here is a snapshot of the field management positions that we have available:

COOKING - Head and Assistant Cook

Every one of our bush camps supplies meals to the workers. Crew sizes vary from 15-100, but what doesn’t change is the high quality, exceptional food we provide – and lots of it. Cooking in a tree planting camp is not easy – the days are long and conditions can be challenging. The head cook manages the kitchen and food budget, is responsible for meal planning, shopping and execution, and the appropriate sanitation and health concerns.

*Requirements: FoodSafe and First Aid certification required. Professional cooking experience is essential for head cook positions. Previous experience planting, or cooking in bush camp, is not required but is an asset.

QUALITY ASSESSOR

Most planting crews have at least one person on staff that is dedicated to checking and recording the quality of the planted trees. You must enjoy working on your own for this position. Feedback is given to the crew for any adjustments required, and information is submitted to the project manager and client.

*Requirements: Good computer skills. Driver’s license and First Aid certification required. Tree planting experience, preferably with Brinkman.

CREW LEAD

The crew lead manages a crew of planters and is responsible for their transportation, safety, training, quality, efficiency, and production tracking. We have ‘planting crew leads’ who manage a small crew and plant trees - and ‘full crew leads’ who manage larger crews and do not plant trees.

*Requirements: Good communication skills. Driver’s license and First Aid certification required. Tree planting experience. preferably with Brinkman.

LOGISTICS MANAGER / TREE DELIVERY

The Tree Deliverer, or Logistics Manager, manages the tree supply requirements of the crew. They are responsible for transportation, stock delivery and handling, and stock tracking. The senior tree deliverer, in consultation with the project manager, manages the overall field logistics and movement of people and trees in the field.

Requirements: Good mechanical and logistics skills. Driver’s license and First Aid certification required. Tree planting experience, preferably with Brinkman.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Project Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects on a project. They ensure project objectives are being met safely and effectively. This includes the planning, execution, and day-to-day management of employees, and the camp infrastructure and the contract requirements,. The Project Manager is the main liaison between the client, the crew, regional management and Head Office.

*Requirements: Good communication and logistics skills. Driver’s license and First Aid certification required. Tree planting and management experience with Brinkman.

OTHER NON-PLANTING POSITIONS

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH + SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE

Every crew requires at least one person to complete the administration of the Safety Program. The OH+S Rep is required to administer Brinkman’s Occupational Health + Safety Program at the project level. They must also maintain all OH+S documents and records. This is a paid position and is typically done in addition to regular field work, planting or otherwise.

*Requirements: A keen interest in safety and an eye for detail is required. Tree Planting Experience and/or prior OH+S training

COMMUNITY SAFETY FACILITATOR (CSF)

Each camp has one or two Community Safety Facilitators, who have received both internal and external training, and who are remunerated for one ‘office hour’ per day. Along with facilitation of the Community Accountability and Consent workshop, each CSF is responsible for working with the Project Manager, Regional Manager, OH+S Coordinator, and other employees on community building processes and activities, which are crucial elements in the prevention of community safety incidents.
This is a paid position and is typically done in addition to regular field work, planting or otherwise.

*Requirements: a strong belief in and understanding of our Respectful Workplace Program. Tree Planting Experience

FIRST AID ATTENDANT (FAA)

Every camp requires designated first aid staff. The FAA is required to administer the First Aid component of Brinkman’s Occupational Health + Safety Program at the project level. The FAA is familiar with reporting requirements + processes, and instigates this process as required, including Incident Investigation. The FAA will also be required to administer first aid as the certification and training allows. This is a paid position and is typically done in addition to regular field work, planting or otherwise.

*Requirements: organizational and communication skills, current first aid certification is required, but level varies depending on the jurisdiction. Tree Planting Experience and/or prior First Aid training