JFR Program Assistant

Role Responsibilities

Looking for a meaningful opportunity to combine your passion for the outdoors and youth development?

We are looking for two Program Assistants to join our Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) to ensure a safe and successful program for participants.

As the JFR Program Assistant, you will provide key support and assistance to the Program Specialist in all aspects of program administration and operations. The JFR program encompasses the field of forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, and youth development. Your attention to detail and agility allows you to maintain close adherence to the program mandate, legislation, policy, and budget during operations in order to foster a safe and rewarding provincial program. You will have the opportunity to provide ongoing program assistance in areas such as curriculum planning, recruitment, continuous improvements, and social media support. The two Program Assistants will spend significant time during May to August traveling to various wildfire bases to visit the JFR crews.

Your Responsibilities Include

• Program Administration and Recruitment
  • Assist Program Specialist in candidate screening, interviewing, and offer tracking
  • Collaborate with Indigenous communities to encourage application submissions, strengthen relations and increase outreach
  • Monitor and create social media updates to ensure program visibility for promotion
  • Attend local and regional events aimed at recruiting experienced individuals
  • Develop and maintain a program staff database
• Program Training and Delivery
  • Assist Program Specialist planning in Crew Leader training, course material and delivery, and equipment organization
  • Deliver crew member modules in safety, technical skills, natural resource management practices, career exploration and leadership development
  • Facilitate training opportunities with internal and external partners
  • Determine and coordinate equipment distribution to crews
• Program Leadership and Supervision
  • Visit crews during the summer to extend guidance and advice for leaders, learn more about crew members, and assist area coordinators
  • Consult with Crew supervisors to advise and assist with safety compliance, conflict mitigation, and project coordination 
  • Assist in compiling crew manuals and program material
  • Implement and promote safety standards and procedures in adherence with Occupational Health and Safety regulations
  • Evaluate work and training requirements of program staff in relation to work schedules to provide project planning support
• Program Development and Event Coordination
  • Coordinate with program partners to supply necessary equipment, personnel, and planning for the annual 3-day, summer-ending Bull of the Woods event 
  • Prepare and present final reports and statistics which form the basis of program improvement
  • Review lessons learned and implementing these lessons into reimagined future program and developments
     

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: 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 atmospheres that foster effective collaboration, enabling individuals to work together productively to achieve shared objectives. Demonstrates respect for others’ input and expertise and is willing to learn from others by encouraging open and considerate discussion of issues.  
• Develop Networks: Proactively build networks, connect, and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders and program partners.  
• Creative Problem Solving: The ability to evaluate options and consequences in novel ways to develop innovative solutions and achieve desired outcomes.  
• Drive for Results: Effectively sets goals to prioritize work, and proactively seeks advice or guidance when needed. Recognizes program objectives and ones’ own contributions through service delivery, performance, and interpersonal interactions to ensure future success.  
• Develop Self and Others: Takes initiative to stay current on skills, approaches, and technologies in their field of work. Reflects on own performance to understand success, participates in developmental activities, and contributes to team learning by sharing information, knowledge, and experiences. 

Qualifications

The minimum requirements for this role include:

• Two-year diploma in environmental sciences, education, recreation administration or related disciplines.
• Directly related education and or experience is considered on a one-for-one basis, such as:
  • One (1) year of post-secondary education in a related discipline, supplemented by one (1) year of experience as a JFR Crew Leader and similar with youth and/or organized outdoor program leadership roles

Requirements:

• Leadership experience with youth and or organized outdoor programs
• Familiarity with Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Knowledge of departmental standard operating procedures, policies, and procedures
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe applications to create, edit, and convert documents
• Experience in organizing, reviewing, and synthesizing large datasets to develop annual reports, statistics and for continuous improvement initiatives  

Assets:

• One (1) season as a JFR Crew Leader, Sub Leader, or Crew Member
• Knowledge of or experience with the JFR program and department's standard operating procedures
• Experience with team development initiatives, leadership and conflict management skills and practices
• Proficiency in power tools (including chainsaws and brush saws), hand tools, and field skills to effectively teach operational and troubleshooting procedures to staff
• Strong organizational skills to maintain staff database for recruitment, hiring, and performance evaluations 
• Social media experience to promote program initiatives and recruitment

Additional Requirements:  

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

• A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check conducted by local police department, obtained within six (6) months before your commencement date
• For additional information on the Vulnerable Sector Search please consult the RCMP’s website here
• A valid, unrestricted Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License, or equivalent.   
• See the following links for more information on exchanging a non-Alberta license or licensed driver training
• 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 current Defensive Driving certificate
• A valid Standard First Aid certificate with CPR certification
• Passing results of the Physical Fitness test to endure rigorous training and, at times, arduous working conditions
• Must be 18 years of age or older prior to the start date

Notes

This is a wage seasonal position, upto 36.25hours biweekly. There is significant travel required for this position for Crew Leader and Member training, crew visits, and Bull of the Woods. A work vehicle will be provided. 

About Your Work Environment:
The expected term of employment for the JFR Program Assistants:

• One position from February 3, 2025 to October 31, 2025
• One position from April 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025

About Your Application: 

• Final candidates for this position must clear a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check conducted by their local police department
• Terms of employment in your resume are to be identified in dates, 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. 
 

What We Offer

• 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
• Opportunities to work overtime, evenings, and weekend shifts will be available throughout the term of employment