Role Responsibilities

Are you a wildfire mitigation expert with a passion for community wildfire resilience and stakeholder engagement? Alberta Forestry and Parks is seeking a highly skilled FireSmart Specialist to lead the extension and outreach components of Alberta’s FireSmart Program. This senior-level position plays a pivotal role in reducing wildfire risk in and around communities across the province.

Reporting to the Manager of Wildfire Mitigation and FireSmart, the FireSmart Specialist is responsible for advancing FireSmart initiatives through collaboration, education, and policy development. You will work with a wide range of stakeholders—including homeowners, emergency responders, municipalities, Indigenous communities, academia, non-profits, and industry partners—to promote wildfire resilience and implement FireSmart best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Leadership and Outreach - Lead the delivery and advancement of FireSmart outreach and education initiatives for Alberta.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders including municipal, provincial, and federal governments, the insurance and construction industries, and community organizations.
• Policy and Best Practices - Develop, review, and promote consistent policies, guidelines, and best management practices to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface.
• Knowledge Transfer and Expertise - Serve as a subject matter expert, providing technical guidance and facilitating the transfer of wildfire mitigation knowledge and technologies.
• National Representation - Represent Alberta in national FireSmart Canada initiatives and liaise with federal, provincial, and territorial partners to align and advance wildfire mitigation strategies.
• Training and Awareness - Coordinate and deliver FireSmart training, awareness campaigns, and educational products to support community preparedness and resilience.

The FireSmart Specialist plays a vital role in aligning Alberta’s wildfire mitigation strategies with national standards and best practices. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact at both the provincial and national levels. If you are driven by a passion for reducing wildfire risks through strategic engagement, training, and innovation, this role provides a powerful platform to lead change and build resilience.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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.

• Creative Problem Solving: Anticipates, assess, and readily adapts to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Drive for Results: Strives to exceed objectives and maximize resources to achieve results aligned with the goals of the department, considerate to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Takes a collaborative approach with your work to foster open communication and leverage team skills.
• Agility: Identifies alternative approaches in uncertain, complex situations, supporting others in determining and assessing strategy.
• Systems Thinking: Considers the changing environment, recognizing the work impacting a vast network of stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

• University graduation in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban or Regional Planning or related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience in Forestry, Wildfire Management, Fire and Emergency Services or a related two year diploma plus 6 years of progressively responsible related experience 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.

Assets:

• Detailed knowledge of FireSmart principles and community wildfire mitigation strategies.
• Strong understanding of communication, extension, and outreach strategies.
• Experience in wildfire and emergency management and interagency collaboration.
• Excellent communication skills—listening, verbal, and written.
• Proven ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to manage diverse and concurrent tasks.
• Background in emergency management related to wildfire response.
• Completion of relevant certifications such as WHMIS, TDG (Air & Ground), OH&S training, Standard First Aid, ICS 100, Advanced Fire Behaviour, Wildfire Orientation, and Wildfire Prevention courses.

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 letter 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: Foreman (PT three 8-hour shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

What the GoA has to offer:

• 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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.