Detection Aide

Role Responsibilities

Do you want to be a key part of Alberta Wildfire’s detection system by providing essential support to Lookout Observers? Are you physically and mentally agile to meet the diverse needs of the Detection Aide functions?

The Wildfire Detection Aide position may be the ideal seasonal opportunity for you!

As a Detection Aide, you will be responsible for a range of duties aimed at ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the detection program. Your primary focus will be to guarantee that Lookout Observers receive their scheduled groceries, water, and warehouse supplies. Additionally, you may be called upon to step into the role of Lookout Observer.

In this capacity, you will be responsible for various tasks, including communications, facility maintenance, public relations, weather recording, and wildfire detection.

Responsibilities:

• Document and report identified maintenance needs at the lookout and participate in the Area’s detection program.
• Submit aircraft requests for servicing Lookouts through the Areas Wildfire Dispatch Supervisor.
• Assist in the spring opening and fall closure of all the lookouts in the Area.
• Ensure completion and submission of all lookout documentation as required.
• Provide limited support to areas of wildfire suppression efforts, warehousing, while ensuring no conflicts with the detection program.
• Act as a Lookout Observer when needed, performing all regular lookout duties, including communications, facility maintenance, observations levels, public relations, weather recording, and wildfire detection.

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: Having the capacity to anticipate, evaluate, and swiftly adapt to shifting priorities, maintain resilience during uncertain times, and excel in a dynamic work environment.
• Building Collaborative Environments: Taking the lead in creating conditions and work culture that foster effective collaboration, enabling individuals to work together productively to achieve shared objectives. Demonstrating respect for others’ input and expertise and is willing to learn from others by encouraging open and considerate discussion of issues.
• Systems Thinking: Recognizing that tasks performed within the Alberta Public Service (APS) are part of a broader, interconnected environment. It is essential to comprehend that activities within one segment of the APS can have far-reaching impacts on other groups and projects, both within and outside the organization. Systems thinking helps us consider these wider consequences and connections.
• Creative Problem Solving: Having the ability to evaluate options and consequences in novel ways to develop innovative solutions and achieve desired outcomes.
• Drive for Results: Effectively setting goals to prioritize work and proactively seeking advice or guidance when needed. Recognizing program objectives and one’s own contributions through service delivery, performance, and interpersonal interactions to ensure future success.
• Develop Self and Others: Taking initiative to stay current on skills, approaches, and technologies in their field of work. Reflecting on own performance to understand success, participates in developmental activities, and contributing to team learning by sharing information, knowledge, and experiences.  

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma plus some related experience (i.e., up to 12 months).
• Ability to climb a 100-foot vertical tower ladder within 10 minutes, several times per day.

Directly related experience or education may be considered on the basis of:

• one year of experience for one year of education or
• one year of education for one year of experience

Related experience includes technical skills demonstrated through maintenance and repair of small engine equipment (e.g., weed trimmers, lawnmowers); practical problem-solving and adaptability in technical tasks; and experience with off-road driving.

Additional Requirements:

The following conditions are not required at the time of application but must be provided prior to your start date.

• A valid, unrestricted Alberta Class 5 driver’s license or an equivalent Canadian license.
• For more information on determining license equivalencies, exchanging a non-Alberta license, or information on licensed driver training schools.
  • 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).
• A valid Standard First Aid certificate with CPR certification.
• A current Defensive Driving certificate.
• A Lookout Medical Certification completed by a medical doctor, and found fit to do Lookout Observer work, prior to employment.

*All candidates must be 18 years of age or older as of March 1, 2026, or prior to their start date. Position start dates range from March 1 to April 30, 2026.

Assets:

• Certificate of Proficiency in Radio (Aeronautical) from Industry Canada.

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 seasonal wage Detection Aide positions for all Alberta Forest Areas, with weekly hours up to 36.25.

About Your Work Environment:
This position may require you to work evenings and weekends to meet fire season operational needs. Positions may be required to work alone in remote outdoor locations for extended periods of time.

A Detection Aide must be physically fit to climb up to a one‐hundred‐foot vertical tower ladder within 10 minutes several times a day when filling in as a Lookout Observer.

The Detection Aide role resides within all ten of our Forest Area offices in Alberta.

• Calgary Forest Area
• Edson Forest Area
• Fort McMurray Forest Area
• Grande Prairie Forest Area
• High Level Forest Area
• Lac La Biche Forest Area
• Peace River Forest Area
• Rocky Mountain House Forest Area
• Slave Lake Forest Area
• Whitecourt Forest Area

What We Offer:

• Wage employees receive 11.6% in addition to regular wage earnings in lieu of paid holidays and vacation leave.
  • 5.6% 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, overnight, evening, and weekend shifts.
• Premium Pay Allowances:
  • Wage employees residing above the 57th Parallel (i.e., High Level Forest Area) are eligible for a biweekly Northern allowance of $241.38.
  • Wage employees residing within the Fort McMurray Forest Area receive a biweekly allowance of $478.17 (pro-rated for part-time employees).

Application Information:

• Your resume should indicate date ranges (month and year) for all education and work experience, specifying if the experience was casual, part-time (PT) or full-time (FT), while highlighting applicable duties or achievements.
  • For example, Lookout: Apr 2019 – Aug 2019 (Seasonal)
• 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.