Now Hiring
Timber Cruiser
Gridder / Flagger — GNSS Navigation & Geophysical Grid Establishment
Access Line Cutting & Mulching Inc. (ALC)
Location
Remote Project Sites — Western Canada
Employment Type
Full-Time / Project-Based, Rotational Field Assignments
Field Rotation
28-Day Rotations
Compensation
Competitive, based on experience and qualifications
Travel
Company-Arranged Transportation from Designated Mobilization Points
Accommodations
Hard Camp / Hotel / Remote Camp, Depending on Project
About Access Line Cutting & Mulching Inc.
Access Line Cutting & Mulching Inc. (ALC) provides professional line cutting, geophysical grid establishment, remote access development, and vegetation management services to the mining and mineral exploration, oil and gas, and forestry sectors.
We specialize in remote field operations, delivering safe, efficient, and accurately surveyed line cutting programs throughout Western Canada.
We are seeking an experienced Timber Cruiser / Gridder / Flagger with exceptional wilderness navigation skills, advanced GNSS/GPS proficiency, and outstanding physical endurance.
This position involves independently navigating and marking proposed geophysical survey grids through remote, heavily forested, and often extremely challenging terrain.
This is a highly physical, navigation-intensive position that requires the ability to work independently in remote wilderness environments.
Key Responsibilities
1. Geophysical Grid Establishment & Flagging
- Navigate proposed geophysical survey lines using GNSS/GPS equipment and digital project maps.
- Establish and flag accurate grid lines ahead of chainsaw and brush saw crews.
- Identify and mark survey stations, line intersections, tie lines, and other designated control points.
- Maintain accurate line alignment according to project specifications.
- Identify terrain obstacles, water crossings, environmental restrictions, and access limitations.
- Communicate routing challenges and proposed adjustments to the Field Project Manager.
- Ensure flagged lines and station markings are clearly identifiable by following crews.
2. GNSS/GPS Navigation & Field Data Collection
- Operate professional GNSS/GPS equipment to navigate, locate, and document project grid features.
- Interpret digital maps, coordinate systems, bearings, and field navigation instructions.
- Record accurate station positions, field observations, and relevant geographic information.
- Collect and maintain GPS/GNSS field data using ALC's established digital mapping procedures.
- Verify the completeness and accuracy of recorded field information.
- Maintain reliable navigation capability when working beyond cellular coverage.
- Follow ALC procedures for GNSS data synchronization and reporting.
3. Wilderness Navigation & Independent Field Operations
- Navigate independently through remote and unfamiliar wilderness terrain.
- Travel significant distances off-trail through dense forest, muskeg, rocky ground, steep slopes, and other difficult terrain.
- Maintain situational awareness and accurately track position, travel routes, and return paths.
- Evaluate terrain hazards and select safe travel routes within approved project boundaries.
- Maintain required communications and scheduled check-ins with field supervision.
- Follow established lone-worker procedures, emergency response plans, and stop-work requirements.
- Recognize when terrain, weather, wildlife, or communication conditions make continued work unsafe.
4. Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
- Participate in Daily Field Level Risk Assessments (FLRAs) and toolbox meetings.
- Follow all company and client health, safety, and environmental procedures.
- Identify and report hazards, near misses, incidents, and unsafe conditions.
- Comply with wildlife protection measures, environmental restrictions, and designated exclusion zones.
- Maintain and properly use required communications, navigation, and emergency equipment.
- Exercise stop-work authority whenever conditions cannot be managed safely.
5. Field Reporting & Quality Control
- Maintain accurate daily records of flagged lines, stations, and completed grid establishment.
- Record GNSS/GPS positions and field observations as required.
- Identify and report discrepancies between planned grid locations and actual field conditions.
- Verify that flagged lines and stations are accurately established before cutting crews proceed.
- Provide regular production updates and field observations to the Field Project Manager.
- Support the preparation of accurate project production maps and reporting deliverables.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
- Demonstrated experience in wilderness navigation, timber cruising, geophysical gridding, survey flagging, forestry layout, or comparable remote field operations.
- Advanced proficiency with handheld GNSS/GPS navigation equipment.
- Ability to independently navigate using coordinates, bearings, waypoints, tracks, and digital maps.
- Exceptional physical fitness and endurance for sustained off-trail travel through difficult terrain.
- Proven ability to work independently and make sound decisions in remote wilderness environments.
- Strong understanding of wilderness hazards, wildlife awareness, and remote field safety.
- Ability to interpret project maps, line layouts, and field instructions.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to positional accuracy.
- Ability to maintain reliable communication and comply with lone-worker safety procedures.
- Willingness to work 28-day rotations at remote project locations.
Preferred
- Previous experience establishing geophysical survey grids for mineral exploration.
- Experience with professional GNSS receivers and external GNSS antennas.
- Familiarity with QGIS, Mergin Maps, or comparable digital field mapping systems.
- Experience with UTM coordinates, coordinate reference systems, and field navigation.
- Experience working in helicopter-supported or fly-in exploration camps.
- Current First Aid certification and wilderness safety training.
- Previous experience in northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or comparable remote regions.
Site-specific training on ALC's GNSS equipment, digital mapping procedures, and project requirements will be provided. Candidates must already possess strong wilderness navigation skills.
Physical & Working Conditions
This is an exceptionally demanding outdoor position. The successful candidate must be capable of:
- Walking long distances through uncut wilderness, often without established trails.
- Navigating dense forest, heavy underbrush, muskeg, rocky terrain, and steep or uneven ground.
- Maintaining sustained physical effort throughout the workday.
- Carrying navigation equipment, marking supplies, communications equipment, and required emergency gear.
- Working in northern winter conditions, snow, and variable weather.
- Remaining focused and making accurate navigation decisions despite fatigue and difficult terrain.
- Working independently in isolated areas while maintaining prescribed communications and check-ins.
- Living in remote camps for extended rotational assignments.
Exceptional physical endurance, sound judgment, and demonstrated wilderness competence are essential requirements of this position.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive compensation based on relevant experience and qualifications.
- 28-day rotational field assignments.
- Company-arranged transportation from designated mobilization points.
- Hard camp, hotel, or remote camp accommodations provided, depending on project.
- Company-provided GNSS/GPS equipment and project-specific navigation systems.
- Site-specific training and orientation.
- Opportunities to work on resource exploration projects throughout Western Canada.
Specific compensation, travel-day arrangements, and employment conditions will be confirmed during hiring and documented in the employment agreement.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an exceptionally fit, self-reliant, and technically capable field professional who enjoys navigating remote wilderness and takes pride in accurate fieldwork.
The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, possesses strong natural navigation instincts supported by modern GNSS technology, and can maintain productivity without compromising personal safety or positional accuracy.
This role requires someone who can confidently navigate where there are no trails, recognize hazards before they become incidents, and establish accurate grid lines for the cutting crews that follow.
If you are an experienced wilderness navigator who thrives in demanding remote field environments, we want to hear from you.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume outlining their wilderness navigation, GNSS/GPS, forestry, surveying, or geophysical grid establishment experience.
Subject Line: Timber Cruiser / Gridder / Flagger Application
Please include:
- A brief summary of your remote wilderness experience.
- Your GNSS/GPS proficiency and equipment experience.
- Previous timber cruising, gridding, or survey flagging experience.
- Availability for rotational field assignments.
Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.