Off-Season Jobs for Planters
Some of you love that you get winters off and make enough money planting to take the winters off to ski and hang out. For those of you who don’t like the idea of half the year without income, finding an off-season job is a priority. Options are endless, however, some roles are better than others in terms of pay, flexibility, and how well your planting skills transfer over. To help your job hunt, we’ve compiled a list of jobs that we’ve seen many of you go to during the off-season.
Forestry-Related Jobs:
Brushing:
Brushing is a great way to extend your season by a few months, with some brushing jobs going into October. It also has many of the same aspects of planting that you know and love, such as active work outdoors, a sense of adventure, and a pay-by-production structure.
Are you looking to brush this year? Leader Silviculture would love to hear from you! Learn more about the role and apply here.
Planting in Other Countries:
When it’s winter in BC, it’s summer in the southern hemisphere. For those of you who are willing to travel and want to keep planting, you can look for more planting in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Visas can be a hassle, and travel costs can be high, but it may be perfect for those looking for an adventure. If this sounds like you, a good starting point could be R/Treeplanting and King Kong Reforestation on Facebook.
Silviculture Surveys:
If you’ve ever been curious about what goes into a land prescription, becoming a forestry surveyor may be the job for you. Becoming an Accredited Surveyor requires a two-week course and exam, but once certified, you’ll be able to write prescriptions for the forestry industry. It’s not for everyone, however, it’s incredible for those it interests, and your surveying knowledge is sure to make you a better planter. To learn more about the course and accreditation process, click here
Layout:
For those uninterested in surveying but still wanting a forestry job, you may like layouts, the practice of flagging the perimeter of blocks ready to be harvested. There is usually work for most of the year, but the locations will depend on factors such as elevation and climate.
Tree Nurseries:
If you’re hoping for something less physically demanding but still want to stay in the industry, another option could be working in a tree nursery to help grow seedlings that will be planted in the future. Pay isn’t always the best, however, for those inspired by the idea, it can be a very fulfilling role with great co-workers.
Fire Prevention and Fuel Management:
With what feels like half of BC burning every summer, forest management and fire prevention is a critical task. The physicality learned through planting will be very handy in this role, and you can feel proud about your work keeping our communities safe from forest fires. There is increased funding toward fuel mitigation right now, so there will be more openings in the future coming up.
Jobs in Other Industries:
Ski Resort Work:
Many planters love planting because it allows them to ski in winter. If this is you, but you still want part-time work while skiing, resorts can be a great option. Many jobs are available, from a Chalet Cook or Liftee, to a Ski-Patrol or Instructor. Depending on your role and the mountain, you may also ski for free, and could qualify for employee housing.
Construction Work:
The construction industry is perfect for planters who aren’t afraid of hard work. Plus, the construction industry is desperate for labourers, even short-term, so most planters can probably find a job in construction and make decent money at it. Wage and role will depend on experience and skill, though, so don’t expect to glamorous work on day one if you’ve never swung a hammer in your life.
Restaurant Industry:
A fairly obvious job option is the restaurant industry. Your wage will vary widely depending on position, but earnings can be surprisingly high, especially if you’re a well-tipped server. Besides that, you may also enjoy that most restaurant jobs are very fast-paced and require you to be on your feet all day. Schedules are also often reasonably flexible, which helps a lot.
Fruit Picking:
Many farms in the Okanagan are desperate to hire fruit pickers. With productivity-based pay, you’ll feel right at home as well. Plus, if you’re good at what you do, many farmers are willing to be flexible with scheduling, making it a good option for people trying to fit work around a busy schedule.
