Junior Forest Ranger (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 accompanied by a Senior Crew Member and mentored and supervised by a Crew Leader and Sub Leader. All crews live on a wildfire base for the seven-week contract in July and August. 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 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 can include 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 which may include 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, practicing for Bull of the Woods, 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

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.
• Participate in evening and weekend activities 

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.

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. 
• 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

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 order to receive an interview. This includes a JFR cover letter (see link below), resume, JFR fitness test (see link below), and two written references. 

• Please use the following document as your JFR cover letter: jfr-cover-letter-template.pdf
• Please include a completed fitness test and ParQ form: partb_fitness-and-parq_2026.pdf and attach it as a supporting document.

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

Notes

This competition is recruiting for seasonal wage Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) Crew Members in the forest areas and locations listed below from July 5 to August 19, 2026.
 
Locations:

• Calgary Forest Area   
• Edson Forest Area (Hinton)
• Fort McMurray Forest Area  
• Grande Prairie Forest Area   
• Lac La Biche Forest Area  
• Peace River Forest Area   
• Whitecourt Forest Area (Fox Creek)
  
  

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, 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). 
    
    

About Your Work Environment:  

• These positions report estimated work schedules of up to 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, throughout the anticipated employment term from July to August. 
• Travel to various locations within the province will be necessary for training, projects, and program events. 
• Free accommodation and meals, and access to equipment supplied by the employer. 
• Successful candidates will be provided with training at the Hinton Training Centre (HTC).
• This competition is recruiting for JFR Crew Members personnel across most Alberta Forest Areas.
• JFR Crew Members are expected to be employed from July 5 to August 19, 2026 (dates subject to change).

About Your Application:

• Candidates selected for an interview will receive the JFR Pre-Interview Guide for preparation. 
• Your resume should indicate date ranges (month and year) for all education, volunteer, and work experience, specifying if the experience was casual, part-time (PT), or full-time (FT), while highlighting applicable duties or achievements. 
  • For example, Wildland Firefighter: Apr 2019 – Aug 2019 (PT, 20 hours per week). 
• You will have to complete the ParQ and Fitness Test form and attach them as part of your application.
  • You will need to have a teacher, coach or parent time you and sign the document
  • See the fitness test document for more information