Forest Area Manager

Role Responsibilities

Join our dynamic team as a Forest Area Manager and play a pivotal role in overseeing wildfire management, forest health, and forest management programs within our designated Forest Area. The Forest Area Manager, reporting to the Executive Director of Forest Operations Branch, oversees wildfire management, forest health, and forest management programs within their designated Forest Area (FA). Collaboration with the Environment and Protected Area Executive Director and Operational Services Managers is crucial for administrative support under the Service Level Agreement between Agriculture and Forestry and Environment and Parks (EP).

Key Responsibilities include:
•    Prioritize protection of human life, forest communities, watersheds, sensitive soils, natural resources (including timber, recreation, and wildlife), and infrastructure within the provincial wildfire management strategy.
•    Direct wildfire prevention, operational support, scientific research projects, detection, pre-suppression, and suppression activities to mitigate wildfire risks effectively.
•    Ensure responsible and sustainable forest management practices including timber establishment, harvest, and removal on public lands, in accordance with existing legislation, policy, and direction.
•    Implement and manage a Forest Health program and budget for the Area, adhering to existing policies and regulations.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic initiatives, manage budgets, and collaborate with key stakeholders to achieve departmental objectives. If you are passionate about sustainable forestry practices and possess strong leadership skills, we invite you to apply and contribute to the conservation and management of our natural resources. Apply now to be considered to protect and preserve our forests for future generations.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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.

Drive for Results: Knows what outcomes are important and maximizes resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.

Creative Problem Solving: Assesses options and implications in new ways to inform decision making in order to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively.

Develop Networks: Builds networks and trusting relationships with stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:
•    University graduation in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by six years progressively responsible experience. 
•    Diploma in Forestry or a related discipline plus ten years of experience in natural resource and wildfire management is required.
•    Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Assets:
•    Membership, or eligibility for membership, with the Alberta Association of Forest Management Professionals is preferred. 
•    Understanding of budgeting and expenditure control.
•    Comprehensive knowledge of wildfire, forest management, and forest health programs, legislation, policy, and regulations.
•    In-depth understanding of wildfire suppression methods, cause, behavior, prevention principles, and techniques.
•    Familiarity with provincial legislation related to forestry, environmental protection, and public lands management.
•    Experience in natural resource and wildfire 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

Two full-time permanent positions, one in Calgary and the other in High Level with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday. The successful candidate will be operating out of an office and field setting. 

Travel within the region on a regular basis and throughout the province on occasion will be required as part of your responsibilities and the successful candidate will have frequent contact with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and external stakeholders province-wide. This job will require you to fly in a helicopter and work extended hours including evenings and weekends. The position may also require you to work away from home up to 24 days based on emergent situations within the province.

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. 

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.
 

Application Information:

•    In your application, please a include cover letter detailing your interest and role related experience. 
•    In your resume include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three, 8 hour shifts/week).
•    Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

Relocation assistance may be provided to eligible candidates.

For High Level location: 
•    Northern Allowance, Northern Leave, and Attraction Bonus – https://www.alberta.ca/premium-pay-directive.aspx#jumplinks-1.
•    Individuals residing in High Level may be eligible for premium pay directives: https://www.alberta.ca/premium-pay-directive.
 

What the GoA has to offer:

•    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.
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•    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 work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week.
•    Leadership and mentorship program.