Wildfire Crew Leader / Sub-Leader

Role Responsibilities

The Unit Crew (UNIT) program provides a distinct opportunity to join a 20-person crew. These Unit Crews are dedicated teams committed to containing and fully extinguishing larger fires in remote areas of the province.

As a valued part of this dedicated team, you will experience collaborative success through our shared mission to safeguard Alberta's precious natural resources and extensive landscapes. While this position is physically and mentally demanding, it also offers a powerful sense of personal satisfaction and growth. As part of the Unit Crew program, you will develop effective teamwork and communication skills, enhance your analytical thinking, and sharpen your situational awareness. It offers the chance to work outdoors, where every challenge you conquer becomes a testament to your resilience, adaptability, and your meaningful contribution to our environment.

The Helitack (HAC) program offers a unique opportunity to work as a team member within a 4- or 8-person crew. These crews are usually the first to respond to wildfires, transported by helicopter or deployed by ground to attack wildfires, sometimes with the assistance of air tankers or heavy equipment. The work provides a challenging experience, assessing your physical and mental strengths, as you will be at the forefront on a crew that is responsible for initial response to wildfire.

This position also offers insights into aviation operations and a chance to be a valuable member of the Helitack Crew on the front lines. With an opportunity for personal growth, you will experience the opportunity to enhance your analytical skills, refine your decision-making abilities, improve your communication and teamwork, and build greater responsiveness and resilience, all while working in the great outdoors.

As a Wildfire Unit / Helitack Crew Leader you will:

• Be leading and supervising sub-leaders and or crew members in pre-suppression and fire suppression activities.
• Determine the best strategy and tactic to suppress wildfire and evaluate if more resources are required to assist.
• Identify hazards to the crew and mitigation strategies
• Ensure that crew fire readiness is maintained through fireline equipment and truck maintenance as well as inventory and crew physical standards.
• Plan, coordinate, track and administer proficiency train to meet certification standards.   
• Complete Performance Agreements with Wildfire Crew Sub-Leaders. 
• Complete administrative work in a timely manner such as timesheets, safety briefings, fire reports.
• Conduct preliminary investigations into fire cause and know the procedure on how to protect a scene for in depth investigation by an experienced investigator.

As a Wildfire Unit / Helitack Crew Sub-Leader you will: 

• Be leading and supervising wildfire crew members in fire suppression activities.
• Assist crew leader with strategy and tactics to suppress wildfire. 
• Identify hazards to the crew and mitigation strategies
• Ensure that crew fire readiness is maintained through fireline equipment and truck maintenance as well as inventory and crew physical standards.  
• Complete Performance Agreements with Wildfire Crew Members. 
• Assist in the completion of administrative work in a timely manner such as timesheets, safety briefings, fire reports and crew proficiency maintenance tracking.
• Responsible to conduct preliminary investigations into fire cause and know the procedure on how to protect a scene for in depth investigation by an experienced investigator.

Qualifications

Required:
Natural Resources 3: Unit Crew Sub Leader, 4-Person Helitack Crew Leader, 8-Person Helitack Crew Sub Leader

• A high school diploma 
• One (1) season of related experience. Experience in wildland firefighting is required.

Natural Resources 4: Unit Crew Leader and 8-Person Helitack Crew Leader

• A high school diploma 
• One (1) season of related experience. Experience in wildland firefighting is required
• Supervisory or leadership experience is an asset

Additional Requirements: 

• The following conditions are not required at time of application, but must be provided prior to start date:
• Passing results of the WFX-Fit test to endure rigorous training and, at times, arduous working conditions. 
• A valid, unrestricted Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License, or equivalent.
• 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.

*All candidates must be 18 years of age or older as of April 1, 2024, or prior to start date.

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.
• 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: 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.

Notes

This competition is recruiting for:

• Unit Crew Sub Leader (Natural Resources 3)
• Unit Crew Leader (Natural Resources 4)
• Helitack Crew Sub Leader (Natural Resources 3)
• Helitack Crew Leader (Natural Resources 3, Natural Resources 4)

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies within the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

All candidates must be 18 years of age or older as of April 1, 2024, or prior to start date.

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. 
• 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:

• Free accommodation and meals, and access to firefighter equipment supplied by the employer.
• Successful candidates will be provided member training at the Hinton Training Centre (HTC).

About Your Application: 

• 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.