OPEN HOUSE/JOB FAIR
The Saanich Forestry Centre is hosting an OPEN HOUSE/HIRING FAIR on Thursday, August 10th, 2026, from 12PM-6PM! Come meet the team with on-the-spot interviews and site tours around our beautiful nursery and orchard! Address: 8067 E Saanich Rd, Saanichton, BC.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Western Forest Products is currently hiring for Seasonal Labourers at our Saanich Forestry Centre in Saanichton. Multiple positions available!
Current Opportunities & Shifts:
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Cone harvesting – short term contracts (2-3 months)
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Nursery workers – longer term contracts (8+ months)
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Full time and part time positions available
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Hours are typically Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:30pm. Minimal weekend work may be required.
What We Offer:
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Starting hourly wage rate $20.25, + performance-based incentives
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Health and dental benefits (offered on longer term contracts)
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On the job training - no experience is needed for this role; we are willing to train candidates who have a positive attitude and are eager to learn!
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We offer a fun and supportive team environment with a safety-first work culture. For more information, click here.
What You’ll Do: You’ll be a key team member at our Saanich Forest Centre where we grow millions of tree seedlings every year to be planted at our operations on the Coast. You would work as part of a team to maintain our seed orchards and nursery green houses, doing tasks such as planting, mulching, and caring for trees. You will handle, quality grade and package seedlings and perform a variety of other tasks relevant to greenhouse maintenance.
Who You Are: You are an advocate for sustainable practices and stand firm on safety practices. You are capable to lift up to 23 kg (50 lb) unaided and can sustain repetitive and physical tasks for 8 hours in all weather!
Work Environment: This position is to be performed in person at the Saanich Forestry Centre in Saanichton, BC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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Cone harvesting using a ladder;
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Harvesting vegetative material with hand clippers;
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Collecting and applying pollen;
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Working in a team environment to extract seedlings from greenhouses;
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Handling, quality grading and packaging of seedlings;
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Lifting and carrying of full seedlings boxes for transport;
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Greenhouse end-of-season clean-up;
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Prepping and sowing (planting) of seeds;
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Bending and lifting of blocks of growing seedlings;
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Thinning extra seedlings out of growing blocks; and
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Greenhouse maintenance;
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Planting, mulching and otherwise caring for trees;
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Hand weeding; and
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Maintaining infrastructure such as fences, ditches and irrigation systems.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Excellent safety record and demonstrated commitment to safety;
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Demonstrated ability to work both as part of a team and with minimal supervision;
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Accountable and dependable;
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Adaptable to work in all weather conditions;
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Capable to sustain repetitive and physical tasks for 8 hours;
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Capable to lift up to 23 kg (50 lb) unaided;
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Able to physically climb up and down ladders;
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Positive attitude;
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Open to learning new skills; and,
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Clean and organized.
The following would be considered assets:
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Valid Class 5 Driver’s License;
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Mobile equipment certification/experience such as forklift and manlift;
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First aid training/WHMIS preferred; and,
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Previous greenhouse/orchard experience an asset.
ABOUT SAANICH FORESTRY CENTRE
The Saanich Forestry Centre operation, established in 1964, is the start of everything Western does. The facility on East Saanich Road features seed orchards and a forest-seedling nursery; it produces on average 15 million seeds and 4 million seedlings annually. The seeds are used to grow Douglas fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, yellow cypress and Sitka spruce. The seedlings are used in Western’s operations around the coast.
WESTERN OVERVIEW
Western Forest Products is a leading forest products company that sustainably manages forests and manufactures high-quality wood products. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with operations in the coastal region of BC and Washington State, Western meets the needs of customers worldwide with a specialty wood products focus and diverse product offering.
Our commitment to health and safety, environmental stewardship and community engagement is core to how we do business at Western Forest Products.
Our approach to responsible business practices in all aspects of our business is multi-faceted. We adhere to and employ the most stringent environmental practices in the world. The steps we take to ensure the forests in which we operate are renewed and remain healthy and viable for future generations are mirrored in the care we take to make certain our communities continue to grow and prosper. This includes investing in communities where we operate and continuing to forge mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations in respect of their local and cultural interests.
