Role Responsibilities

Join us as a Wildfire Technologist / Air Attack Officer. Reporting to the Wildfire Operations Officer, this position supports the delivery of Pre-Suppression, Suppression, and Mitigation programs within the Calgary Forest Area, while contributing to the Provincial Airtanker Program. Your education, wildfire management experience, and leadership capabilities will distinguish you as a strong candidate.

Working in the role, on a daily basis you will:

• Direct and coordinate aerial attack operations on wildfire incidents across the province.
• Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Airtanker Program.
• Participate in provincial training, field exercises, and ongoing proficiency development.
• Provide operational support to the Provincial Aircraft Coordination desk through rostered shifts.
• Oversee the Airtanker Base program, including staffing, training, and facility maintenance.
• Coordinate fleet vehicle management, including short-term leases.
• Supervise and coach staff, supporting training, capability development, and performance outcomes.
• Apply project management and communication skills to achieve operational priorities and objectives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Adapt to changing priorities, apply critical thinking, and manage risk in high-pressure environments.
• Ensure compliance with safety legislation, SOPs, and departmental business rules.
• Fill rostered operational roles (e.g., Duty Officer, Deputy Duty Officer, Response Officer).
• Work in the field as an Incident Commander and support deployments and incident management teams.
• Participate in committees, working groups, and training initiatives across the province.
• Support forest management and forest health programs.
• Manage program funding within established budgets and policies.
• Maintain operational fitness required for fireline and rostered positions.

You will be required to fulfill the role of Air Attack Officer for a minimum of three 15-day shifts during the wildfire season. A strong understanding of wildfire management practices, SOPs, ICS, and systems such as 1GX, AWARE, FIRES, Dispatch, and Field Maps, along with financial and procurement processes, will support your success in this role.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

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 Finds solutions in complex situations and supports others in making decisions.

• Creative Problem Solving Quickly adapts to change, handles uncertainty well, and solves problems creatively.

• Develop Network: Maintains strong relationships with all stakeholders to ensure satisfaction. Collaborates openly and leverages team strengths.

• Develop Self and Others: Values learning from experiences and staying competitive by updating skills and knowledge.

• Drive for result: Strives to achieve goals efficiently, considering everyone's needs.

• Systems Thinking: Understands how work impacts a broad network of stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:

• A bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related Natural Resource Management field plus a minimum of 2 years related and current experience will be considered.
• Or a 2-year diploma in Forestry or a related Natural Resources Management field plus four years of related and current experience is required.
• Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of one year of experience for one year of education or one year of education for one year of experience.

Additional requirements:

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License

Assets:

• Supervisory experience is considered an asset.
• Working knowledge of aerial firefighting and airtanker base operations.
• Requires knowledge of fire behaviour, fuel types, flight patterns and procedures, fire fighting techniques, weather conditions, aerial photo interpretation, forest ecology and topography which have been obtained through formal education, division courses and considerable related field experience as task force/strike team leader.
• Extensive working knowledge and ability to interpret forestry policies, legislation and administration- Forest and Prairie Protection Act and Regulations, Forest Protection Policies and Standard Operating Procedures, Public Lands Act, Forests Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Municipal Government Act, Policy and Procedures related to Air Tanker use and the Firebombing Procedures Manual.
• Strong knowledge of decision support tools such as AWARE, DISPATCH, FIRES, LLP and Internet.
• An ability to apply extensive experience, effective coaching skills and constructive feedback to help subordinate staff develop their skills.
• First Aid certificate, TDG air and Ground, WHMIS and certified as a Strike Team Leader.

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 position is a permanent, full-time role, with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday. The incumbent may be requested to work overtime, evening and weekends due to the emergency nature of wildfires.

Travel within the area and throughout the province will be required as part of your responsibilities to coordinate with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and other external stakeholders.

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.

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.

Application Information:

• In your application, please include a cover page detailing your interest, and role related experience.
• In your resume, include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.