Forest Officer

Role Responsibilities

Are you eager to kick-start your career in Wildfire or Forest Management? Perhaps you are a recent graduate, ready to learn the ropes and make a real impact. Or maybe you already have a forestry background or some seasonal wildfire experience and are seeking an exciting adventure and a place to grow. If you are passionate about serving the Fort McMurray Forest Area, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills!

As a Forest Officer, you will play a crucial role within the Wildfire Management and Forest Management Programs, reporting to a Wildfire Technologist. Your experience in fire behavior and wildfire prevention, knowledge of fuel types, firefighting techniques, and understanding of forest ecology will be invaluable in facilitating and participating in wildfire prevention, operations, and forest management. You will actively contribute to wildfire detection, enforcement, education, engineering, pre-suppression, suppression activities, timber management as well as supervise and coordinate seasonal wildland firefighting crews, ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of wildfire suppression activities.

Your responsibilities may include overseeing seasonal staff in both Operations and Prevention functions, adhering to program consistency, administering and enforcing fire permits in accordance with legislation, and contributing to Fire Smart initiatives. These positions also offer involvement in the delivery of Forest Operations Monitoring (FOMP) and Forest Health programs, conducting inspections under Forestry Operations, and assisting with non-compliance investigations.

This is your chance to make a difference and contribute to the protection and preservation of our forests. Join our team as a Forest Officer and seize the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, expand your knowledge, and work in a dynamic environment where every day brings new challenges and rewards.

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.

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:

• Drive for Results: Strives to exceed objectives and maximize resources to achieve results aligned with the goals of the department, considerate to both internal and external stakeholders;
• Develop Networks: Maintains close relations with all stakeholders, actively incorporates the needs of the broader group, and ensures overall client satisfaction;
• Build Collaborative Environments: Takes a collaborative approach with your work to foster open communication and leverage team skills;
• Agility: Identifies alternative approaches in uncertain, complex situations, supporting others in determining and assessing strategy;
• Systems Thinking: Considers the changing environment, recognizing the work impacting a vast network of stakeholders

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:

The minimum requirements for Forest Officer role are a two-year diploma in Forestry or a related Natural Resource Management field plus three (3) years of directly related forestry or wildfire experience.

Directly related experience or education 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:

• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Eligibility for registration with the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals.
• Knowledge of wildfire behaviour, suppression techniques, fuels, weather, and forest ecology.
• Working knowledge of forestry protection, occupational health and safety, and information protection legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of computer and applicable software(MS Word; MS Excel; MS Outlook; MS Power Point; MS Access).
• Working knowledge of GIS/GPS systems.
• Strong knowledge of decision support tools such as AWARE and Internet.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s License.
• CPR/First Aid Certificate, OH&S certifications, WHIMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Ground and Air modes), Defensive Driving and Radio Operator’s certificate.
• Ability to operate ATVs/OHVs, snowmobiles, and wildfire suppression equipment.
• Progressive fire certification development, obtained by significant experience acting in various positions on wildfires.

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

There are two permanent, full-time positions available. Standard working hours are 36.25 per week, Monday to Friday. The incumbent may be requested to work overtime, evening and weekends due to the emergency nature of wildfires.

Travel within the area and throughout the province will be required as part of your responsibilities to coordinate with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and other external stakeholders.

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.

Application Information:

• In your application, please a include cover page 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 hrs. shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

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

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages- working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.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
• Leadership and mentorship programs