JFR Crew Member

Role Responsibilities

The Junior Forest Rangers (JFR) is an exciting summer work experience program that focuses on stewardship, leadership, and traditional ecological knowledge. JFR Crew Members will work together in a team of seven, being mentored and supervised by a Crew Leader, Sub Leader, and Leader-in-Training. All crews live on a wildfire base for the summer. The program provides insight into a wide variety of careers in forestry, wildfire, ecology and other areas of natural resource management by completing hands-on work projects and being immersed in educational opportunities. We are currently seeking motivated, enthusiastic and team-oriented individuals to be a part our JFR crews throughout the province of Alberta.

Training:
All members go through five days of training to start off the season. During training, everyone will take part in wide variety of sessions, including leadership and team development, cultural awareness, bushcraft skills, hand tool training, health and safety, wildfire orientation, brushsaw certificate course, and much more. 

Project Days:
After training, all crews travel to their respective forest areas, where they are stationed for the summer. Every day, crews take part in a different work project or educational opportunity. Seventy percent of the program schedule is dedicated to physically active work experiences which includes ecosystem restoration, bushcraft, wildfire or mock fire experience, tree planting, habitat construction, recreational trail construction, and more. The remaining thirty percent of the program schedule involves educational opportunities including forestry tours, ATV training, hunters education course, lookout tower tours, speaking with Indigenous elders or knowledge  keepers, wildlife ID training, and so much more. 

Evenings and Weekends:
During the evenings, crews will have some down time to relax, have a camp fire, go for an evening hike, utilize the rec or weight rooms on base, or simply hang out with the crew. Weekends are geared towards outdoor recreation activities or potentially volunteer opportunities. Some of that includes hiking, fishing, canoeing, visiting an animal shelter to walk some dogs, going camping, or anything else the crew wants to plan that aligns with the program goals. Everyone is off for the August long weekend.

Job Duties

Crew member responsibilities:
•    Work on projects set out in the schedule provided by the supervisors.
•    Participate in educational activities including tours, presentations, and out-trips.
•    Learn and demonstrate safe working practices with equipment and during projects.
•    Be prepared and on time each work day.
•    Adhere to the rules, terms, and conditions of employment as set out by the Programs and the supervisors.
•    Assist in the upkeep of the camp.

Safety and professionalism:
•    Be aware of OH&S policy, camp/work site emergency response, and adhere to high standard of safety in the work place. This includes being present for daily safety briefings.
•    Demonstrate professionalism and dress appropriate for work and community events. Represent the JFR/AJFR programs in a positive way.
•    Utilize required personal protective equipment for all work and education opportunities.
•    Maintain open lines of communication with other crew members and supervisory staff.
•    Quickly inform supervisors of any concerns regarding camp/accommodations, transportation, equipment, and safety. 

Reporting and documentation:
•    Assist with completing vehicle inspections.
•    Assist with documentation and reporting of accidents and near misses.
•    Assist with completing Site Specific Hazard Assessments
•    Complete season end evaluation of camp facilities and supervisors.

Daily Routine:
Every day is a different project or experience, but most crews have a similar daily routine. Here is a typical day in the life of a crew member:
•    Wake up on base (unless you are camping)
•    Eat breakfast in the kitchen and prepare a lunch to bring
•    Get equipment ready, both personal gear and the tools needed for the day
•    Drive in work vehicle to the job site for that day (leaders are the ones who drive our work vehicles)
•    Arrive on-site, meet project partner, complete safety orientation and prepare the gear needed
•    Start work project or educational opportunity
•    Have lunch on-site
•    Complete project during the afternoon
•    Drive back to base
•    Clean up from the day; clean and sharpen tools, put away own gear, shower, eat dinner in the kitchen and enjoy the evening

Qualifications

Crew member applicants must be full-time high school students in Alberta, and between the ages of 16-18 as of July 1 of the current year.

All applicants must submit a complete application IN ONE DOCUMENT, which includes Part A, B, and C, in order to receive an interview. Part C (references) can be sent separately.

The following points outline skills and experiences that are considered assets:
•    First Aid and CPR certification
•    Experience on a team or club (sports, JFW, hobby clubs, D&D etc.)
•    Experience and comfortability working and living in the outdoors
•    Leadership experience and/or the desire to improve those skills
•    Active lifestyle
•    Other related certifications, training, and experience

Notes

Applicants that do not include all parts of the application by April 1, 2025 will not be considered for an interview. 

What We Offer:
There is an additional 11.2% added to the hourly rate in lieu paid holidays and vacation.
•    5.2% of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays
•    6%  of regular wage earnings instead of annual vacation pay