Vegetation Technician Lead

Role Responsibilities

Alberta Parks (South Region) is seeking two (2) experienced and enthusiastic Vegetation Technician Leads for our regional vegetation management program.

Reporting directly to the Vegetation Management Coordinator, you will serve as the on-site field team lead, supervising crews of Vegetation Technicians in controlling invasive species, implementing restoration activities, and enhancing resilient ecosystems. You'll have the opportunity to travel and work across various provincial parks and provincial recreation areas (PRAs) throughout the South Region, experiencing diverse eco-subregions and landscapes.

Each Vegetation Technician Lead will lead a team of 3 Vegetation Technician positions (or co-lead alongside the other Lead, with the combined team consisting of 6 Vegetation Technicians and the 2 Vegetation Technician Leads.

This seasonal position starts late April and is primarily based/staged out of Lethbridge and Park Lake Provincial Park. Daily travel throughout the South Region is required for fieldwork, with the possibility of overnight stays at various park sites (staff housing and travel allowance provided for out-of-town stays).

Key duties include, but not limited to:
•    Assisting the Vegetation Management Coordinator in training and onboarding seasonal staff. 
•    Leading daily field operations, including herbicide application, mechanical invasive species control, equipment maintenance (e.g., sprayers, UTVs/OHVs), and quality assurance checks. 
•    Conducting quality control inspections of herbicide applications to ensure compliance and effectiveness. 
•    Implementing ArcGIS-based IAPS data collection, mapping, monitoring, and field reporting. 
•    Coordinating with the Vegetation Management Coordinator on project implementation, progress tracking, and completion processes. 
•    Completing and submitting all required daily forms, project notes, and documentation for briefings and record-keeping. 
•    Supporting restoration projects, including native plant seeding/planting, riparian/habitat enhancement, and site reclamation. 
•    Leading daily safety meetings, conducting hazard assessments and tailgate briefings, and ensuring full adherence to safety protocols and proper use and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
•    Assigning tasks, managing daily logistics and equipment, mentoring crew members, and providing constructive performance feedback.
•    Assisting with crew scheduling, progress updates to the Coordinator, and end-of-season evaluations.

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.

Agility – ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Build Collaborative Environments – leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Systems Thinking– understands how the work done is part of a larger integrated environment. Looks beyond own area and considers how own work impacts the work and success of others.

Creative Problem Solving – ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Develop Self and Others – a commitment to learning and the desire to invest in the development of the capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

Education and Experience required:
•    Two-year technical diploma in environmental science, conservation, biology, agriculture, or other related fields of study.
•    Equivalency: One year of experience for one year of education OR one year of education for one year of experience.

Additional Requirements:  

•    Current recognized Standard First Aid + CPR Level C/AED (valid through the term). 
•    Valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent). 
•    Acceptable 5-year Commercial Driver’s Abstract (issued within 30 days of application; maximum 8 demerits, or 4 for GDL; reimbursed upon hire). 
•    Current Alberta Pesticide Applicator Certificate (Landscape); required for herbicide application duties.
•    Physical fitness and ability to perform demanding tasks, such as carrying equipment up to 20–25 kg, hiking on uneven terrain, and working in variable weather conditions.

Assets:  

•    Relevant experience in herbicide application and Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) management, or equivalent vegetation management experience.
•    Knowledge of Alberta Parks operations and systems, provincial invasive species protocols, and best management practices for IAPS/herbicide use. 
•    Experience working in custodial, landscaping, or similar positions.
•    Exceptional communication skills and comfort level in dealing with difficult customer interactions or complaints. 
•    Experience working within a campground setting.
•    Supervisory or field lead experience in vegetation management or similar field crews. 
•    Active outdoor lifestyle and/or career interest in conservation, ecology, or parks management.
•    Experience working in teams in outdoor and adverse weather conditions, including leading small crews during field operations. 
•    Experience in field identification of native plant species and invasive alien plant species (IAPS). 
•    Proficiency in operating vegetation management equipment and systems, including OHV/UTV/ATV systems for field transport and herbicide applications.
•    Experience working with Spray systems (truck-mounted sprayers, backpack sprayers, and related setups), including general operation, calibration, and maintenance.
•    Experience with 1-ton trucks (e.g., F-350) and trailering equipment.
•    Experience in the safe mixing, loading, and application of herbicides. 
•    Experience using GIS data collection tools and apps (e.g., ArcGIS Field Maps or similar) for IAPS mapping, monitoring, and record-keeping.

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

Terms of Employment:
•    This is a seasonal wage opportunity from late April until early September.
•    Office work: Regular 5-day work week, 40 hours of standard time.
•    Field work: Compressed 4-day work week, 40 hours of standard time (4 days on, 3 days off).
•    Primary work locations: Park Lake Provincial Park and Lethbridge, with operations conducted throughout the South Region.
•    Travel requirements: Occasional out-of-town assignments may require staying away for the duration of the work week. Travel allowances will be provided in accordance with policy, and staff housing will be provided when working out of town. 
•    Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License or equivalent will be required. 
•    Final Candidates will be required to provide an acceptable 5-year Commercial Driver’s Abstract prior to commencement (cost reimbursed upon hire).
•    A recognized and current Standard First Aid and CPR Level "C"/AED Certificate is required.
•    A current Alberta Pesticide Applicator Certificate (Landscape) is required for herbicide application duties. 
•    Successful candidates must adhere to the Alberta Parks Uniform Policy. All required personal protective equipment will be provided. Certified safety footwear is not provided; however, a portion of the cost will be reimbursed in accordance with policy.
•    These positions will require outdoor work in a variety of weather and environmental conditions.
•    Mandatory training sessions will take place at the start of employment (Early May).

Interviews:
•    Interviews are scheduled to take place in February and will continue until these positions are filled with qualified candidates.
•    Those selected for an interview will need to supply three work related references.

Any initial costs associated with obtaining required documents/checks as noted will be the responsibility of the candidate. However, some reimbursements may occur. Interview travel expenses will not be reimbursed. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Continued Notes

Instructions for your Resume:
•    Include date ranges (month and year) associated with all education and work experience – we are unable to assess resumes without this information. 
•    Indicate whether your work experience was casual, part-time or full-time.
•    Example: Camp Counsellor: Jan 2016 – June 2019 (PT, 3 eight-hour shifts per week).

What We offer:

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive 
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Mentorship Programs.

Resources for applicants:

•    https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx
•    https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/