Wildfire Crew

Role Responsibilities

As a Wildfire Crew Member, you will be part of either a Unit Crew or a Helitack Crew. Wildland firefighters work on the front lines and play a crucial role in combating wildfires. Here is a glimpse into a day on the job:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-2B6wz5mSg.

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 Crew Member, you will:

• Take direction from the Crew Leader / Sub-Leader to suppress wildfire.
• Provide feedback to the Leader about the progress of the assignment and suggest changes to tactics.
• Maintain situational awareness and communicate any changes in the fire environment to the crew leader.
• Detect hotspots and/or constructs and holds fire containment lines.
• Keep assigned equipment serviceable.
• Maintain fire readiness and physical fitness standards.
• Maintain assigned vehicles and equipment.
• Identify and communicate hazards.
• Participates in regular proficiency training and activities.
• During low fire hazard, may be required to do project work
  Example: FireSmart, or facility maintenance.
• Remain prepared for fire deployment.
• Work longer hours, including being required to work through the overnight period on occasion.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Some high school education
• Some related experience (i.e., up to 12 months).
  • Related experience includes experience in first aid and emergency services, coaching, team sports, outdoor recreation, environmental education, and community and protective services.

Additional Requirements:
The following conditions are not required at the time of application but must be provided prior to your 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. 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 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 March 1, 2025, or prior to their start date. Position start dates range from March 1 to April 30, 2025.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

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. 
 

• 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 Wildfire Crew Members across all Alberta Forest Areas.

Positions include:

• Unit Crew Member
• Helitack Crew Member
• Initial Attack/Trails Crew Member, Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Large fires regularly have longer shift hours, which could include having work hours shifted to work weekends, evenings, and overnight on occasions.

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 leave.
• 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:

• Access to firefighter equipment supplied by the employer and member training at the Hinton Training Centre (HTC).
• Meals and accommodations will be provided for the duration of employment for all crews with the exceptions noted below. 
  • Meals and accommodations will be provided when deployed, however when working locally these locations provide the following: 
    • Slave Lake – Accommodations available only. Meals are not supplied.
    • Edmonton – Accommodations and meals are not supplied.
    • Cypress Hills Provincial Park – $140 bi-weekly for accommodations. Meals are not supplied.

About Your Application:

• 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, Wildland Firefighter: Apr 2019 – Aug 2019 (PT, 20 hours per week).
• 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.