Airtanker Base (ATB) Loader & Supervisor

Role Responsibilities

Are you ready for a dynamic 2025 summer experience in Airtanker Operations that blends stewardship, leadership, and direct expertise? Join us as an Airtanker Base (ATB) Supervisor or ATB Loader and play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of Alberta's wildfire response team.

The program immerses you in the heart of Airtanker Operations, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and collaborative teamwork. Gain firsthand experience in loading airtanker aircraft, understanding base operations, and contributing to essential wildfire suppression tasks at one of the following Airtanker Base (ATB) locations: Pincher Creek, Springbank, Rocky Mountain house, Edson, Whitecourt, Lac la Biche, Slave Lake,  Grand Prairie, Manning, Loon River, Fort McMurray, High Level, Rainbow Lake.As an integral part of the team, you are responsible for the safe loading of airtanker aircraft, working closely to ensure optimal inventory levels, and contributing to base maintenance and safety tasks.

Embark on an exciting career path with the Airtanker Base Loader position, a key role as part of a team of up to three people, reporting to the Airtanker Base Supervisor. Explore diverse opportunities across Alberta in locations such as Calgary, Edson, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, High Level, Lac La Biche, Peace River, Rocky Mountain House, Slave Lake, and Whitecourt.

Here is a glimpse of a day in the job: Airtanker Base Loader

ATB Loader (Natural Resources 2)

Join the front line at the Airtanker Base as an ATB Loader, responsible for the safe and efficient loading of airtanker aircraft during wildfire suppression.

Maintenance:

• Conduct facility and grounds maintenance as directed.
• Perform workshop maintenance and clean-up.
• Maintain housekeeping in operations building(s).
• Conduct general maintenance on equipment assigned to the base.

Retardant Mixing:

• Ensure fire retardant mixing facilities and equipment are operational, following all safety procedures.
• Maintain loading, mixing, and storage areas in a clean and obstruction-free condition.
• Recirculate fire retardant and foam concentrate as per protocols, conducting retardant control tests.
• Measure and maintain inventory levels, reporting to the Airtanker Base Supervisor.

Aircraft Fuel Loading:

• Conduct aviation fuel quality testing under the supervision of the Airtanker Base Supervisor.
• Record fuel inventory levels and perform physical measurements.
• Inspect and ensure the working condition of fueling facilities; document and report any contamination or spills.
• Assist pilots and engineers with aircraft refueling as directed.

Airtanker Dispatching:

• Work with the Air Attack Officer assigned to the airtanker group to ensure clear directions are given and received.
• Ensure the airtanker group receives briefings upon arrival.
• Facilitate the group briefing upon arrival to the base location.

Daily Briefings:

• Report daily to the Airtanker Base Supervisor for a briefing on the general fire situation and the plan of action.

ATB Supervisor (Natural Resources 3)

• Assign and conduct facility and grounds maintenance, workshop maintenance, and janitorial duties in the operational buildings.
• Perform general maintenance on supplied equipment assigned to the base.
• Monitor all safety procedures and operations according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) protocols.
• Lead and supervise a team of up to 3 ATB Loaders.

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:

• Agility:  You will have the ability to anticipate, evaluate, and swiftly adapt to shifting priorities, maintain resilience during uncertain times, and excel in a dynamic work environment.
• Build Collaborative Environments: You will work within your team to foster effective collaboration, enabling individuals to work together productively to achieve shared objectives, respecting others’ input and expertise and to be willing to learn from others by encouraging open and honest communication.
• Systems Thinking: Systems thinking helps us consider the wider consequences of our actions and how the tasks we perform within the Alberta Public Service (APS) affect the outcomes of operations.
• Creative Problem Solving: You will have the ability to evaluate options and consequences in novel ways to develop innovative solutions and achieve desired outcomes to share with others.
• Drive for Results: You must have the ability to prioritize work, and proactively seeks advice or guidance when needed or dealing with emergent situations.
• Develop Self and Others: You will the ability to take self-initiative to stay current on job skills, approaches, and technologies needed for your role in your job by participating in developmental activities, and contribute to team learning by sharing information, knowledge, and experiences.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

ATB Loader (Natural Resources 2)
 

• Some high school education, plus some related experience or training courses (up to 12 months) with a preference for training courses or experience in wildland firefighting, forestry, natural resources, environmental stewardship, emergency management, and or social, aviation industry.

ATB Supervisor (Natural Resources 3)
 

• High school education, plus one year of related experience in wildland firefighting, forestry, natural resources, environmental stewardship, emergency management, and or social, aviation industry with a preference for supervisory or leadership experience.

Assets:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, such as Word, Outlook, and Excel 
• Relevant technical post-secondary completion, enrollment, or direct experience in natural resources, forestry, environmental science, or related disciplines – keep here or noted as a preference in the Education and Experience section
• Experience in wildfire suppression activities
• Experience with loading Airtankers
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task duties and tasks
• Flexibility to work various hours dependent on operational needs to support the active wildfire season

Additional Requirements:

The following conditions are not required at time of application, but must be provided prior to start date:

• Current valid Class 5 (or equivalent) Driver’s License 
• A minimum 3-year Driver's Abstract, showing a record of seven (7) demerits or less (obtained within 30 days of your commencement date and presented to management prior to commencement)
• Current Defensive Driving certificate
• Current Standard First Aid certificate with CPR certification at time of hire, valid until at least October 31, 2025

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 competition is recruiting ATB Loader and Supervisor personnel for all Alberta Forest Areas, with weekly work hours up to 36.25 per week.

About Your Work Environment

• Free accommodation and access to equipment supplied by the employer.
• Successful candidates will be provided training.

About Your Application

• Terms of previous employment in your resume are to be identified in months and years, highlighting applicable duties or achievements at the respective role. 
• Those selected for an interview are requested to bring three (3) work-related references.

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.

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

Wage employees receive 11.2% in addition to regular wage earnings in lieu of paid holidays and vacation leave:

• 5.2% of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays
• 6% of regular wage earnings instead of annual vacation pay.

​​​​​​​Shift differential and opportunity to work overtime, evening, and weekend shifts.

Premium Pay Allowances:

• Wage employees residing above the 57th Parallel (i.e., High Level Forest Area, Fort McMurray, Slave Lake and Manning) may be eligible for a biweekly Northern allowance of $241.38.
• Wage employees residing within the Fort McMurray Forest Area may be eligible for a biweekly allowance of $478.17 (pro-rated for part-time employees).