Forestry Investigator

Role Responsibilities

Forestry Investigations are a critical component of Alberta’s forest management compliance and enforcement framework, ensuring the responsible and sustainable use of forest and natural resources. Reporting administratively to the Slave Lake Forest Area Manager and functionally to the Senior Provincial Wildfire and Forestry Investigators, this position enhances provincial investigative capacity through the delivery of specialized investigation and enforcement services. The role leads complex, high-risk investigations into alleged contraventions of provincial legislation governing forest management, natural resource use, and related regulatory requirements. Through the application of investigative best practices, evidence collection, and enforcement procedures, the position supports accountability, compliance, and the protection of Alberta’s forest resources.

This position operates with significant autonomy and subject-matter expertise, leading investigations that may result in administrative penalties, regulatory prosecutions, or civil litigation. The position works closely with the ten forest areas across the province, providing support and expertise in completion of investigations. The role directly supports the Forestry and Parks regulatory compliance mandate, ensuring investigations are conducted to a standard that withstands legal scrutiny and supports defensible enforcement outcomes.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading complex investigations into forestry-related non-compliance under legislation such as the Forests Act, and Forest and Prairie Protection Act.
• Applying advanced investigative techniques, including evidence collection and preservation, judicial authorizations, interviewing, and analytical assessment of economic benefit and proceeds.
• Preparing comprehensive investigation files to support administrative penalties, regulatory prosecutions, and civil litigation, including cost recovery actions.
• Appearing as a Crown witness in court and administrative proceedings and providing expert evidence.
• Collaborating with Alberta Justice, Crown Prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and other regulatory bodies to advance enforcement outcomes.
• Issuing enforcement actions such as violation tickets, written warnings, and orders under applicable legislation.
• Providing expert advisory support to departmental staff and leadership on compliance and enforcement matters.
• During wildfire season, supporting the provincial wildfire investigations unit, as required, by providing surge capacity.
• Contributing to the development of compliance policy, investigative procedures, and operational standards.
• Delivering training and mentoring to staff to build investigative capacity across the department.
• Participating in provincial and inter-agency working groups to advance compliance and enforcement practices.
  
  

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

Develop Networks:
Makes working with a wide range of parties an imperative:

• Creates impactful relationships with the right people.
• Ensures needs of varying groups are represented.
• Goes beyond to meet stakeholder needs.
• Ensures all needs are heard and understood.

Build Collaborative Environments:
Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict:

• Encourages broad thinking on projects, and works to eliminate barriers to progress.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration.
• Anticipates and reduces conflict at the outset.
• Credits others and gets talent recognized.
• Promotes collaboration and commitment.
  
  

Agility:
Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks:

• Identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same.
• Proactively explains impact of changes.
• Anticipates and mitigates emotions of others.
• Anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals.
• Makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.
  
  

Drive for Results:
Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes:

• Uses variety of resources to monitor own performance standards.
• Acknowledges even indirect responsibility.
• Commits to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted.
• Reaches goals consistent with APS direction.
  
  

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.
  
  

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

Education and Experience:

A related bachelor’s degree (4 years) and 2 years of related experience. Related degrees include Forestry, Natural Resource Compliance, Conservation Enforcement, or similar. (Demonstrated regulatory investigation experience)"

Equivalency:

• A related two-year diploma plus 4 years related experience.
• Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis.
  
  

Requirements:

• Extensive experience conducting complex investigations in a regulatory or enforcement environment.
• Strong knowledge of provincial and federal legislation relevant to forestry and environmental enforcement (e.g., Forests Act, FPPA, EPEA, Public Lands Act, Criminal Code, Charter).
• Demonstrated ability to lead investigations that may result in administrative, civil, or judicial outcomes.
• Experience preparing court briefs, administrative records, and legal documentation.
• Ability to be appointed as a Peace Officer under the Peace Officer Act.
• Advanced skills in evidence collection, interviewing, and investigative analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including courtroom testimony.
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic and often high-pressure environment.
• Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
  
  

Assets:

• Eligible for registration with Alberta Association of Forest Management Professionals (RPF or RPFT).
• Completion of FI-210 and FI-310 Wildfire Investigations Training Courses.
  
  

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

Notes

This is a full-time permanent position with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday. The incumbent may be requested to work overtime, evening and weekends due to the emergency nature of wildfires. This position will conduct investigations across Province of Alberta and will require significant travel and overtime.

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.

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

Application Information:

• In your application, please include a 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.

Other items may include:

• 55th to 57th parallels retention allowance.
  
  

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.