Job Information
Job Title: Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
Job Requisition ID: 86075
Ministry: Forestry and Parks
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: August 5, 2026
Classification: Natural Resources 9
Salary: $3,374.88 to $4,367.45 bi-weekly ($88,084 - $113,990/year)
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service .
As the Ministry of Forestry and Parks we are responsible for fostering Alberta’s environmentally responsible forest management practices, including management of wildfires. We preserve our provincial parks for the recreation and enjoyment of Albertans. As well as enabling access to public lands for recreational and commercial purposes while prioritizing conservation. Forestry and Parks also manages public lands and balances sustainable rangelands and grazing leases for Alberta producers.
The Forestry Division, within the Ministry of Forestry and Parks, works to enhance the economic, environmental, and social contributions of our forests and forested lands to Albertans. For more information about the Ministry of Forestry and Parks please visit our website at: https://www.alberta.ca/forestry-and-parks .
Role Responsibilities
Are you passionate about protecting communities, landscapes, and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of wildfire? Alberta is seeking a strategic and innovative Wildfire Mitigation Specialist to lead provincial wildfire mitigation initiatives that strengthen community resilience and support long-term sustainability. This is a unique opportunity to influence wildfire policy, drive meaningful partnerships, and shape the future of wildfire risk reduction across the province.
Reporting to the Manager of Wildfire Mitigation and FireSmart, the Wildfire Mitigation Specialist serves as the provincial lead for developing and advancing programs, policies, and strategies that reduce wildfire risk across Alberta. As a senior member of the Forest Management and Wildfire Mitigation Branch, this role works closely with Forest Areas, municipalities, Indigenous communities, government partners, industry, and other stakeholders to design and implement wildfire risk reduction initiatives that protect people, property, and natural landscapes.
The position plays a vital role in advancing Alberta’s Wildfire Mitigation Strategy, integrating FireSmart principles into planning and decision-making, and supporting provincial, national, and interprovincial wildfire resilience efforts.
Your Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To
- Leading the implementation and continuous improvement of Alberta’s wildfire mitigation programs and strategies.
- Establishing governance frameworks, policies, operational protocols, and best practices to support consistent program delivery.
- Contribute to stakeholder engagement, education, and knowledge-sharing activities that build awareness and encourage the adoption of mitigation practices.
- Support the coordination of provincial mitigation funding programs and assist partners in identifying projects that align with strategic wildfire risk reduction objectives.
- Represent the Forestry Division on provincial, national, and cross-jurisdictional committees, task forces, and working groups.
Role Responsibilities Continued
- Aligning wildfire mitigation initiatives with FireSmart principles, integrated resource management plans, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
- Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with municipalities, Indigenous governments, industry representatives, and community stakeholders.
- Negotiating and developing collaborative agreements that strengthen Alberta’s wildfire resilience and preparedness.
- Driving innovation through the evaluation and integration of emerging technologies, tools, and wildfire risk mitigation methodologies.
- Monitoring program performance and analyzing risk intelligence to support adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making.
- Integrating advanced risk assessment tools to prioritize investments and evaluate mitigation outcomes.
- Embedding FireSmart principles into infrastructure planning, capital projects, land development, and municipal planning processes.
- Ensuring wildfire mitigation initiatives align with legislation, policy requirements, occupational health and safety standards, and ministry directives.
- Providing expert advice and strategic recommendations for executive briefings, business cases, and high-priority government initiatives.
Join us in shaping a safer, more resilient Alberta by reducing wildfire risk, strengthening communities, and protecting the people, landscapes, and infrastructure that define our future.
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.
- Creative Problem Solving - Collaboratively identifies innovative solutions by bringing the right people together, encouraging diverse perspectives, and using effective problem-solving approaches.
- Systems Thinking - Considers broader organizational, political, and environmental factors to develop strategies that support long-term goals and sustainable outcomes.
- Agility - Embraces change by adapting priorities, improving processes, and supporting others through evolving circumstances with resilience and objectivity.
- Develop Networks - Builds and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders to understand needs, foster collaboration, and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf .
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A university degree in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field and extensive experience (typically 6+ years) in forestry, emergency management, environmental sciences, land-use planning, or resource management; or a two-year diploma in forestry plus 8 years experience in forestry, emergency management, environmental sciences, land-use planning or resource management.
Additional related education considered in lieu of experience based on one year of experience for one year of education.
Special Requirements
- Demonstrated leadership in program or policy development, preferably within a government or interagency context.
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and a strong understanding of traditional knowledge integration.
- Knowledge of FireSmart principles and wildfire mitigation best practices.
Assets
- Postgraduate education in a related discipline.
- Experience with GIS, risk analysis tools or wildfire modeling software.
- Familiarity with provincial or federal environmental legislation and municipal planning processes.
- Involvement with interprovincial or national wildfire mitigation initiatives.
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 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.
Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.
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.
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 .
- Al berta 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.
How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resoures for information.
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Rashi Vaktania at Rashi.Vaktania@gov.ab.ca .
