Wildfire Investigator

Role Responsibilities

Alberta Wildfire is responsible for protecting the people of Alberta from the threat of wildfires. The Wildfire Compliance and Investigations unit ensures that organizations and individuals respect laws administered by Alberta Forestry and Parks that protect the natural environment and the health and safety of Albertans.   

Seasonal Wildfire Investigators  are appointed as Forest Officers with authorities under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and associated regulations.  

Responsibilities include:  

• Assisting with on-scene investigations to determine where and how wildfires start.   
• Conducting investigations into contraventions of provincial and federal law, including taking statements from witnesses or accused persons, reviewing, assessing, and seizing evidence, and preparing investigative reports.   
• Working with internal and external clients, stakeholders, partner law enforcement and regulatory enforcement agencies.

Seasonal Wildfire Investigators must be skilled communicators capable of working effectively with clients and stakeholders, sometimes in stressful situations.  

Seasonal Wildfire Investigators often work in outdoor environments in all climates, and conditions, including active wildfires. Candidates must also be comfortable working in office environments when conducting file management, evidence review or preparing reports.    

The position may require frequent travel to remote regions throughout the province on short notice. Methods of travel include aircraft (both fixed-wing and helicopters), department vehicles, ATVs, or by foot.    

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

Minimum Requirements:   

• Two-year Diploma in Enforcement/Police and Investigations, Conservation Enforcement, or related studies, no experience required; or equivalent as described below.  
• Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:  1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

*All candidates must be 18 years of age or older as of March 1, 2026, or prior to their start date.    

• Position start date range from March 1 to April 30, 2026.

Equivalencies will be considered and candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

Directly related experience or education may be considered on the basis of:     

• one year of experience for one year of education or   
• one year of education for one year of experience.

Assets: 

• Certificate of Proficiency in Radio (Aeronautical) from Industry Canada.   
• ATV operator safety training.   
• Experience with GIS software applications.

Additional Requirements: 

• Investigative interviewing, evidence collection, scene documentation, field note and technical writing skills.    
• Computer literate; proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite.    
• Good organization and time management skills.    
• Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to make time-sensitive decisions.    
• Working knowledge of applicable Provincial and Federal legislation.   
• Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate professionalism and dress in accordance with the Department uniform policy.   
  • Must be aware of departmental Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policies and adhere to high safety standards in the workplace. This includes being present for regular safety briefings.    
  • Must be eligible to hold a Peace Officer appointment issued by the Public Security Peace Officer Program. Click here for eligibility requirements.

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

• A Criminal Record Check, obtained within six (6) months before your commencement date.  
• 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.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards. 

Notes

This competition is recruiting for seasonal wage Wildfire Investigator in the forest areas and locations listed below.

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

Positions and Locations:

• Calgary Forest Area 
• Edmonton
• Edson Forest Area
• Fort McMurray Forest Area
• Grande Prairie Forest Area
• High Level Forest Area
• Lac La Biche Forest Area 
• Peace River Forest Area
• Rocky Mountain House Forest Area
• Slave Lake Forest Area
• Whitecourt Forest Area

What We Offer:

• Wage employees receive 11.6% in addition to regular wage earnings in lieu of paid holidays and vacation leave:
  • 5.2 percent of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays.
  • 6 percent 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:

• This competition is recruiting seasonal wage Wildfire Investigator positions for all Alberta Forest Areas, with weekly hours up to 36.25.
• This position may require you to work evenings and weekends to meet fire season operational needs.
• Seasonal Wildfire Investigators will be trained to FI-110 standards with the opportunity to attend further training.  
• Estimated term of employment is from 3 to 8 months during the wildfire season, anticipated between April 2026 to October 31, 2026, dependent on operational needs.

About Your Application:

• Final candidates for this position must clear a Criminal Record Check.
• 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.