Manager, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Training & Operational Response

Role Responsibilities

The Manager of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Training & Operational Response works closely with the Director of Wildfire Response in providing all stakeholders in the province with a common understanding of the organization, structures, process, and procedures that will be employed as it relates to the provincial WUI program and the four pillars of emergency management. This position provides coordination, expertise and direction to a geographically dispersed team of Field Officers and regional WUI teams, and leads the delivery of WUI support at the local government level, including assistance with developing wildfire and interface specific plans, integrating with municipal fire training programs, coordinating training delivery, supporting the development and execution of local/regional exercises and providing incident management subject matter expertise at the local/regional level during the response to and recovery from actual emergencies.

Responsibilities include:
 

• Human Resource Management - Leading, supervising and training staff to accomplish assignments in a safe and efficient manner.
• Preparedness - Analyzing and evaluating an area under WUI threat, so that a hazard, risk, and values at risk rating is established in accordance with the adopted policies, procedures, codes, and standards of the province. 
• Mobilization - Overseeing the mobilization of multiple resources from across the province for WUI incidents, in accordance with provincial policies and procedures.
• Suppression - Risk and Hazard Assessment - Assessing the actual and potential risks, hazards, and values at risk for a WUI incident, given incident intelligence, predicted fire behavior, and provincial policies, so that mitigation efforts are properly prioritized and resourced.
• Post-Incident - Collecting data on WUI fire threats, losses, effectiveness of mitigation measures, and public education.
• Administration - Reviewing and implementing changes to current WUI program to ensure the program meets all requirements. 
• Hazard Mitigation - Recommending modifications to codes and standards of the province, given WUI issues, so that the proposed codes and standards are written to address the problem, need, or deficiency.
• Public Education - In conjunction with FireSmart Alberta help with the development and implementation of a public education program, given a comprehensive educational strategy, so that the hazards and risks associated with the WUI environment are reduced.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.
 

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.

Creative Problem Solving: Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues. Engages perspective to seek root causes. Finds ways to improve complex systems. Employs resources from other areas to solve problems. Engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks. 

Develop Networks: Leverages relationships to build input and perspective. Looks broadly to engage stakeholders. Open to perspectives towards long-term goals. Actively seeks input into change initiatives. Maintains stakeholder relationships. 

Build Collaborative Environments: Involves a wide group of stakeholders when working on outcomes. Involves stakeholders and shares resources. Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitated discussion. Uses enthusiasm to motivate and guide others. Acknowledges and works with diverse perspectives for achieving outcomes.

Develop Self & Others:  Encourages development and integration of emerging methods. Shapes group learning for team development. Employs emerging methods towards goals. Creates a shared learning environment. Works with individuals to develop personal development plans.

Drive for Results: Works to remove barriers to outcomes, sticking to principles. Forecasts and proactively addresses project challenges. Removes barriers to collaboration and achievement of outcomes. Upholds principles and confronts problems directly. Considers complex factors and aligns solutions with broader organization mission.

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

Qualifications

Required: University degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Management or Emergency Services Administration or related, PLUS 3 years related experience or equivalent as described

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of 1 year of education for 1 year of experience, or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

For Example: 
Related 1 year certificate PLUS a minimum 6 years of experience
Related 2-year diploma PLUS a minimum 5 years of experience
Related minimum 7 years of experience Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

The successful candidate MUST also have: 
Experience as a Fire Officer in a municipal fire service with wildland firefighting
NFPA training: 1001 Level 2, 1002, 1021 Level 2, 1031 Level 2, 1041
HTC S131 unit, CIFFC S-134, S-290, S-291
Structural Protection Specialist Training
Incident Command System (ICS) 300 training or higher
Firesmart experience
Demonstrated experience leading teams of professionals
Budget development and management experience
Dealing with the public, news media, emergency responders (police/fire/EMS) and senior level officers in the public, private and volunteer sectors
Experience working in large, complex, Type 1 wildland fire incidents
Working either in a public/private setting in a field involving both operational and tactical level emergency management
Thorough knowledge of Alberta's Wildland Urban Interface Guidelines, AEMA's mandate and the Alberta emergency management system
Detailed knowledge of the Emergency Management Act and its associated regulations.
Working knowledge of other related provincial legislation and regulation (Municipal Government Act, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, etc.)
Thorough knowledge and understanding of ICS
Operational understanding of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulations
Knowledge of strategic, operational, and tactical planning processes
Knowledge of risk and vulnerability analysis of natural, technological and/or civil hazards, especially related to the implementation of event response activities

Assets: 
FireSmart Assessor
Experience leading geographically dispersed staff is desirable
Strong level of understanding of the Alberta Emergency Plan (AEP) and the Alberta Incident Management System (AIMS)
Working knowledge of provincial plans, agreements, arrangements, and procedures for emergency management
Working knowledge of Canadian and international standards related to wildland firefighting, municipal firefighting and emergency management
Awareness and understanding of provincial capabilities and key vulnerabilities within emergency management
Understanding of the Disaster Recovery Regulation and the Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program and their associated guidelines
Project management 
Contract management

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

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.
 

Notes

Term of Employment: Permanent Full-Time

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Location: Muriel Stanley Venne Building, Edmonton

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Please include a cover letter outlining your skills, knowledge and experience as they relate to this role. 

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. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs