Role Responsibilities

Are you in search of a thrilling summer work experience that centers around stewardship, leadership, and traditional ecological knowledge? Join us as a Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) Crew Leader or Sub Leader and contribute to a positive impact on Alberta's natural environment.

Our summer work experience program places a strong emphasis on stewardship, leadership, and traditional ecological knowledge. It offers hands-on work projects and educational opportunities, providing insights into careers in forestry, wildfire, ecology, and various aspects of natural resource management.

JFR Program Highlights:
As a JFR Crew Leader or Sub Leader, you will work collaboratively to supervise a six-person crew of high school students, ensuring a safe and positive work environment. Your primary responsibility is to craft a secure and rewarding program schedule by networking and coordinating with professionals in government, industry, and local organizations.

You will undergo a comprehensive two-week training at the Hinton Training Centre before delving into the project planning phase throughout June. Together with your partner, you will network with individuals in the government, industry, and local organizations to curate a diverse summer calendar filled with a wide range of work projects and educational opportunities:

• 70% of the program schedule is dedicated to physically active work experiences, including ecosystem restoration, bushcraft, wildfire experience, tree planting, habitat construction, and recreational trail construction.
• 30% of the program schedule will encompass educational opportunities such as forestry tours, ATV training, hunters' education courses, lookout tower tours, discussions with elders or knowledge keepers, wildlife ID training, and more.

You will have the opportunity to travel to different areas within the province for training, area visits, and program events. Evenings and weekends will be spent with your crew, participating in outdoor recreation activities, and handling administrative tasks.

Responsibilities included within these roles:
JFR Crew Sub Leaders (NR3):

• Assist in directing and supervising all crew members, work projects, recreational outings, and general camp situations.
• Design a secure, rewarding work, and educational program schedule by networking and coordinating with professionals.
• Project and conduct maintenance and inventory inspections of all equipment.
• Implement safety standards and procedures.
• Promote team building and a positive, inclusive outdoor experience.

JFR Crew Leaders (NR4):

• Supervise and direct a Sub Leader and six crew members.
• Develop and implement safety standards and procedures.
• Design a secure, rewarding work, and educational program schedule through networking and coordination with professionals.
• Organize evaluations and address any situations with staff.
• Promote team building and a positive, inclusive outdoor experience.

If you are highly motivated, enthusiastic, and have a passion for the outdoors, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to lead our JFR crews and foster appreciation for our natural environment! 

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:
JFR Crew Sub Leaders (NR3):

• High school diploma,
• Plus, some related experience, training, and or courses (i.e., up to 12 months).
• Leadership or supervisory experience is an asset.
• Ability to perform physical duties to act in the role of a JFR Crew Sub Leaders.

JFR Crew Leaders (NR4):

• High school diploma,
• Plus, one (1) year of related experience, training, and or courses.
• Leadership or supervisory experience is required.
• Ability to perform physical duties to act in the role of a JFR Crew Leaders.

*All candidates must be 21 years of age or older as of May 14, 2026, or prior to their start date. Position start and end dates are May 14, 2026 to August 21, 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:

• Relevant technical post-secondary completion, enrollment, or direct experience in outdoor education, recreation, forestry, environmental science, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in youth recreation, development, coaching, and or project planning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, such as Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Demonstrated proficiency in outdoor skills, including gravel road driving, and expertise in power and hand tools.

Additional Requirements:

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

• A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check conducted by local police department, obtained within six (6) months before your commencement date.
  • For additional information on the Vulnerable Sector Search please consult the RCMP’s website here.
• 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.
• Passing results of the Physical Fitness test to endure rigorous training and, at times, arduous working conditions.

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

Notes

This competition is recruiting for seasonal wage Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) Crew Leaders and Sub Leaders in the forest areas and locations listed below.

Locations:

• Calgary Forest Area 
• Edson Forest Area
• Fort McMurray Forest Area 
• Grande Prairie Forest Area
• Lac La Biche Forest Area
• Peace River 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:
  • 5.6% 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:

• These positions report estimated work schedules of up to 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, throughout the anticipated employment term from May to August.
  • In addition to daily work Monday to Friday, leaders will be compensated for evening and weekend supervision during July and August, as applicable.
  • Travel to various locations within the province will be necessary for training, area visits, and program events.
• Free accommodation and meals, and access to equipment supplied by the employer.
• Successful candidates will be provided with training at the Hinton Training Centre (HTC).
  • This competition is recruiting for JFR Sub Leader and JFR Crew Leader personnel across most Alberta Forest Areas. This competition may be used to fill future vacancies within the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
• JFR Crew Leaders and Sub Leaders are expected to be employed from May 14 to August 21, 2026 (dates subject to change).

About Your Application:

• Candidates selected for an interview will receive the JFR Pre-Interview Guide for preparation.
• Final candidates for this position must clear a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check conducted by their local police department.
• 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.
  • JFR will reimburse you for your Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening if you are hired.
  • Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.