Kananaskis Emergency Team Leader

Role Responsibilities

The Fire Chief of Kananaskis Emergency Services (KES) provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for all fire, rescue, medical first response, and emergency management functions within the Kananaskis Improvement District. This role leads a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team responsible for structural and wildland firefighting, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, inspection and investigation, emergency medical care, public education, and all-hazards disaster response.

As the senior incident commander and departmental leader, the Fire Chief ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and safety across all KES programs. The position oversees strategic planning, training program development, resource and budget management, and interagency coordination with Alberta Parks, Alberta Wildfire, Alberta Health Services, RCMP, municipal partners, and industry stakeholders.

The Fire Chief plays a central role in building organizational capability, cultivating a resilient and learning-focused team culture, and strengthening public safety throughout the Kananaskis Region. This includes guiding the delivery of an extensive training program, supporting regional OH&S initiatives, maintaining emergency facilities and equipment, and representing KES in public education, media, and stakeholder forums.

Some travel within Alberta may be required. A valid Class 5 driver’s licence (or equivalent) is required.

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.

Qualifications

The candidates must meet one of the following:
•    Journeyperson level certification in Fire Service Management, Emergency Management, or a related field (a combination of education and experience may be considered) and 4 years related experience at the Journeyperson level; 
•    Two Journeyperson level certifications and 2 years related experience at the Journeyperson level;
•    Alberta Occupational Certificate and 7 years related experience; or 
•    Related diploma and 4 years related experience. 

Education & Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Management, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or a related field (a combination of education and experience may be considered).
•    Progressive experience in fire/rescue operations, emergency response, and incident leadership.
•    Demonstrated supervisory experience in a fire service or emergency response environment.

Certifications (Required):
•    Firefighter, officer, investigator, inspector, instructor, driver/operator, hazardous materials, wildland urban interface, and medical first response certifications as required for the role.
•    Valid Alberta Class 3Q (Air Brakes) driver’s licence.
•    Completion of ICS 100–400 or equivalent incident management training.
•    Workplace safety and emergency response–related certifications relevant to the position.

Required:
•    Extensive experience in fire/rescue operations, emergency management, incident command, and leadership within a paramilitary or composite fire service environment.
•    Extensive operational experience in fire suppression, rescue operations, emergency medical response, and emergency management.
•    Demonstrated leadership experience in a structured or paramilitary fire service environment, including supervising staff, coordinating daily operations, and leading emergency scenes.
•    Experience developing and delivering training programs and evaluating skill development for staff and volunteers.
•    Experience working with partner agencies, supporting community engagement, and representing the department in public and interagency settings.
•    Facility, equipment, and fleet management experience is an asset.
•    Experience in budgeting, capital planning, procurement, and administrative program oversight.

Assets:

•    Experience working in a mountain, remote, or tourism-based emergency response environment.
•    Experience developing or delivering public education, prevention programs, or community outreach.
•    Familiarity with Kananaskis Country and surrounding regions.
•    Experience coordinating with provincial and municipal emergency partners (e.g., Alberta Wildfire, AHS, RCMP).
•    Facility management or project management experience.
•    Experience overseeing training centres, live-fire facilities, or multi-day training programs.
•    Media or public communications experience.

The position requires the following skills and abilities:
•    Excellent interpersonal skills to develop productive working relationships.
•    Effective written and verbal communication skills.
•    Consultation, facilitation, and issues resolution skills including consensus building, encouraging, and motivating.
•    Time management and client relations skills.
•    Strong analytic and problem-solving skills.
•    Organization, coordination, and project management skills.
•    Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment.
•    Ability to effectively engage a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
•    Ability to work cooperatively and productively with others to achieve agreed upon goals and set up inclusive and collaborative programs/initiatives.
•    Ability to weigh multiple perspectives to maximize results and recommend the most appropriate solution.

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

This position is a full-time permanent opportunity.

This position works Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM-4:30 PM, 36.25 hours a week.

This position may require travel throughout the province. Candidates must possess a valid Class 5 driver’s licence (or equivalent) and be willing to travel as needed.

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).
This position will require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.

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.

What We offer:

•    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
•     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