Assessor – Forestry Scheme (Bilingual)

Assessor – Forestry Scheme – Management Systems & Product, Process, and Service Certification Bodies Accreditation

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is seeking bilingual assessors to conduct Management Systems Certification Body and Product, Process and Service Certification accreditation assessments – Forestry Scheme, on a contractual basis. 

Assessors use their expertise in conformity assessment methodologies to support the assessment team in the evaluation of forestry-sector customers seeking accreditation. They review policies and procedures, certification files, conduct interviews with certification body personnel, review personnel records, and evaluate other aspects of forestry operations.

Assessors are responsible for assessing forestry customers against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 – Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems – Part 1: Requirements, and ISO/IEC 17065:2012 Product, Process, and Service Certification Body Accreditation.

They bring their strong analytical, problem solving and interpersonal skills, as well as sound judgement to handle difficult situations raised during the assessment.

Key activities

• Work closely with the lead assessor to determine assessment scope and criteria.
• Review customer’s quality management system, standard operating procedures, forms, work instructions and job aids to assess evidence of conformity with relevant criteria.
• Review customer’s personnel competency management system, human resources records and certification body file records to assess evidence of conformity with relevant criteria.
• Observe the work of certification body personnel to assess the conformity to procedures and application of relevant criteria via a witness audit.
• Gather objective evidence of conformances and non-conformances during the assessment.
• Report to the lead assessor on findings and provide recommendations based on evidence

Essential qualifications

• Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident/Work visa for the duration of the contract 

Education

• Post-secondary education in relevant discipline
• Formal training, if applicable

Language requirements 

• Bilingual imperative (French and English)

 Experience

• At least three years of experience working in a certification body setting or forestry related company
• Experience applying conformity assessment methodologies and analyzing skills in relevant forestry sectors
• Experience auditing certification body processes and procedures via internal audit or external audits

Technical knowledge

• Knowledge of certification body business environments
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021-1 and or ISO/IEC 17065
• Knowledge of certification bodies certifying forestry – Management Systems Accreditation Program
  • SECTION 10-SFI 2022 AUDIT PROCEDURES AND AUDITOR QUALIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATION
  • Annex B – PEFC CAN ST 1001:2025 — PEFC Canada Certification Body Requirements
  • PEFC ST 1004:2024 Requirements for Certification Bodies operating Certification against PEFC Endorsed Forest Management Standards
  • ISO 14001:2015
  • PEFC CAN ST 1001:2025 PEFC CANADA — SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
  • AFF 2021 Standards of Sustainability
  • ATFS 2021 Independently Managed Group (IMG) Certification Standards
  • SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard
  • SFI 2022 Fiber Sourcing Standard
  • SFI Small Lands Group Certification Module
  • SFI Small Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples and Families
• Knowledge of certification bodies operating in the forestry scheme - Product, Process and Service Certification Body Accreditation Program
  • SECTION 10-SFI 2022 AUDIT PROCEDURES AND AUDITOR QUALIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATION
  • PEFC ST 2003:2020, 2020-02-14 Requirements for Certification Bodies operating Certification against the PEFC International Chain of Custody Standard
  • SFI 2022 Chain of Custody Standard
  • SFI 2022 Certified Sourcing Standard
  • PEFC ST 2002:2020, 2020-02-14 Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products – Requirements
  • PEFC ST 2001:2020, 2020-02-14 PEFC Trademarks Rules – Requirements

Skills

• Strong technical, analytical and review skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Sound judgement and evaluation abilities
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, both within an assessment team, and with customers
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and web-based communications; familiarity with ICT technology

Abilities

• Ability to gather and record objective evidence
• Ability to apply conformity assessment methodologies
• Ability to draft findings
• Ability to work independently or with limited supervision
• Ability to represent SCC and follow SCC’s policies and procedures
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability and willingness to travel within Canada and US, occasionally on short notice
• Ability to work in a variety of industrial, commercial and manufacturing environments