Wildfire Dispatch Supervisor

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Wildfire Operations Officer, the Wildfire Dispatch Supervisor is accountable for providing safe and effective emergency call taking and dispatching for wildfire through established guidelines, evaluating and processing emergency and non-emergency calls, responsible for assisting in relaying key decisions and contributing to the wildfire dispatch process and strategies. This will include planning and development of processes and systems as well as the facilitation of working relationships with others internally as well as externally.

As the Wildfire Dispatcher Supervisor, you will be responsible for:

• Receiving and reporting 310-Fire calls or smoke detections transmitted on the radio.
• Monitoring all aircraft and fire activities to ensure related regulations, policy and procedural guidelines are followed and maintaining an aircraft position log, manifests, daily flight log and daily flight reports.
• Multitasking, problem solving, organizing, and managing workplace priorities in changing conditions.
• Utilizing and trouble-shooting radio equipment, computer equipment, and other applications.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and any other applications would be an asset.
• Utilizing maps, including GPS coordinates, as well as the Alberta Third System of Survey to determine locations of wildfires, detections, permits, aircraft, personnel, site locations.
• Processing aircraft requests for all agencies within the department and auditing  of aircraft flight reports.
• Ensuring timely and accurate data entry into FIREs and Dispatch, through regular auditing and live evaluations to ensure Standard Operating Procedures and Business Rule requirements are met.
• Recruiting, scheduling, training and supervising up to 5 seasonal dispatchers.
• Providing training and support for out of area resources and support Incident Management Teams working in the Forest Area.
• Developing course material including PowerPoints, binders, exams, activities, simulations, and assignments for the Wildfire Dispatch Orientation course and the Wildfire Dispatcher Refresher Workshop.
• Support Wildfire Apps Lead and Emergency Services Business Analyst lead with information gathering, meetings, providing feedback and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for the future development. 

Please apply for this opportunity to become a part of our dedicated team that is committed to fostering positive change and ensuring the safety of our communities and the preservation of the unique natural resources of the Slave Lake Forest area.

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.

• Creative Problem Solving: Anticipates, assess, and readily adapts to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• 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.
• 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 Standard:

One-year certificate in a related field such as Emergency Management, Aviation or air traffic control, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Radio Operator or Train Alberta Dispatchinh plus two (2) years related experience in wildfire operations and prevention; or equivalent as described. 

Equivalency: 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: 

• Preference will be given to candidates with 3 or more years of experience as a Wildfire Dispatcher, ICS 200, and Radio Operator 2 Level Certification.   Being very well versed in the English language is essential.
• Natural Resource, Emergency Management or Forestry education is preferred.

Additional Requirements:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Effective time management skills including being organization and time/task management; ensuring critical tasks accomplished within requested time frames; the ability to set priorities and be adaptable to change; the ability to meet stringent deadlines; ability to multitask.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills are required along with strong technical and analytical skills.
• Experience with Alberta Wildfire specific programs i.e. FIREs, Dispatch, AWARE etc. 
• Excellent production and reporting database knowledge.

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 is a permanent, full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday. 

Travel within the region on a regular basis and throughout the province on occasion will be required as part of your responsibilities and you will have frequent contact with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and external stakeholders province wide.

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 include a 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: Foreman (PT three 8-hour shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

What the GoA has to 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.