Wildfire Information Officer

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking to elevate your career in communications and public relations? As a Wildfire Information Officer, you will be responsible for assisting in delivering important wildfire information, education, and awareness to the public, staff, government agencies, industrial and other stakeholder groups.

Reporting to the area Information coordinator, this position serves as an information officer for Alberta Forestry and Parks. While based in Calgary or Edson forest area, you may also have opportunities to support other forest areas as operational needs arise. Wherever you are assigned, this role offers a meaningful, engaging, and rewarding experience.

In this position, you will have the opportunity to leverage your expertise in communications, public relations, and event planning. These strategies effectively inform communities, stakeholders, and the public about current wildfire information, hazards, and mitigation tools across the province. As a vital team player, you may act independently or collaborate with other information officers, contributing to the team during wildfire events.

Responsibilities included within this role:

Strategic Communication and Collaboration:

• Contribute to delivering wildfire prevention and operations education and communication strategies for Alberta.
• Assist in developing diverse communication products, catering to internal and external stakeholders.

Community Engagement:

• Coordinate and deliver impactful wildfire information, awareness, and prevention initiatives and events for diverse audiences.
• Champion an awareness of wildfire prevention, detection, and suppression activities through various communication methods, education programs, and community initiatives.

Information Dissemination:

• Deliver timely emergency wildfire information to the public and stakeholders in high stress situations both in a forest area or on a wildfire incident.
• Coordinate with municipal partners, indigenous communitites, industry, and other agencies to ensure consistent, unified messaging.

Embark on a challenging and rewarding communications opportunity where your unique skills will help public awareness and safety. Apply today and discover the impact you can make as an information officer!

APS Competencies  

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

About Your Competencies:

• Agility: The capacity to anticipate, evaluate, and swiftly adapt to shifting priorities, maintain resilience during uncertain times, and excel in a dynamic work environment.
• Building Collaborative Environments: Taking the lead in creating conditions and atmospheres that foster effective collaboration, enabling individuals to work together productively to achieve shared objectives. Demonstrates respect for others’ input and expertise and is willing to learn from others by encouraging open and considerate discussion of issues.
• Develop Networks: Proactively build networks, connect, and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders and program partners.
• Creative Problem Solving: The ability to evaluate options and consequences in novel ways to develop innovative solutions and achieve desired outcomes.
• Drive for Results: Effectively sets goals to prioritize work, and proactively seeks advice or guidance when needed. Recognizes program objectives and ones’ own contributions through service delivery, performance, and interpersonal interactions to ensure future success.
• Develop Self and Others: Takes initiative to stay current on skills, approaches, and technologies in their field of work. Reflects on own performance to understand success, participates in developmental activities, and contributes to team learning by sharing information, knowledge, and experiences.   

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Two-year diploma in a related field.

*All candidates must be 18 years of age or older as of March 1, 2026, or prior to their start date.

• Position start dates range from April 13 to September 30, 2026.

Equivalencies will be considered and candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.
Directly related experience or education may be considered on the basis of:

• one year of experience for one year of education or 
• one year of education for one year of experience.

Assets:

• Proficiency in media relations, risk communication, and public education, with the ability to engage effectively with community organizations, industry, media, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of forest ecology, wildfire prevention, detection, suppression, policy, and urban interface issues.
• Knowledge of government agencies' roles and responsibilities, particularly in emergencies, providing key insights and assets.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and relationship management skills, displaying the ability to collaborate, negotiate, and be an invaluable asset to diverse clients and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated professional judgment and decision-making skills, prioritizing, and representing the division in working groups dealing with sensitive information.
• Devoted to teamwork and committed to continuous improvement, contributing positively as an asset to the team. 

Additional Requirements:

• Proficient computer skills, encompassing keyboarding and demonstrated organizational experience.
• Experience with or knowledge of crafting and delivering concise messaging or translating highly technical or complex issues into clear language.
• Ability to operate large 4x4 vehicles on remote forestry roads to support prevention initiatives, including installing signage and engaging with recreational users.
• Working alone in remote locations and information stations.

The following conditions are not required at time of application, but must be provided prior to start date:

• A valid, unrestricted Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License, or equivalent.
  • See the following links for more information on exchanging a non-Alberta license or licensed driver training.
• A minimum 3-year Driver's Abstract, showing a record of seven (7) demerits or less (obtained within 30 days of your commencement date and presented to management prior to commencement).
• A current Defensive Driving certificate.
• A valid Standard First Aid certificate with CPR certification.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This competition is recruiting for seasonal wage Wildfire Information Officer in the Calgary and Edson Forest Areas.

High hazard conditions and complex wildfires may require extended shifts, including weekends, evenings, and working extended periods of days away from the base Forest Area.

What We Offer:

• Wage employees receive 11.6% in addition to regular wage earnings in lieu of paid holidays and vacation leave:
  • 5.6 percent of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays. 
  • 6 percent of regular wage earnings instead of annual vacation pay.
• Shift differential and opportunity to work overtime, evening, and weekend shifts.

About Your Work Environment:

• This competition is recruiting for seasonal wage an information officer position with weekly hours of work up to 36.25.
  • This position may require you to work evenings and weekends to meet fire season operational needs.
• Successful candidates will be provided with training.
• Accommodations may be provided by the employer.
• The estimated term of employment is from 4 to 6 months during the wildfire season, anticipated between April 13, 2026 and August 26, 2026 with a possibility of an extension.

About Your Application:

• Final candidates will be provided a written assignment as part of the assessment process.
• Your resume should indicate date ranges (month and year) for all education and work experience, specifying if the experience was casual, part-time (PT), or full-time (FT), while highlighting applicable duties or achievements.
  • For example, Wildland Firefighter: Apr 2019 – Aug 2019 (PT, 20 hours per week).
• Those selected for an interview are requested to bring three (3) work-related references.
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.
  • Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.