STO-RE 24R - Wildfire Officer

The Team
Both the Vernon and Penticton Fire Zones are lead by the Wildfire Officer who is accountable for a number of operational, technical and administrative staff. Ranging from 5-6 direct reports respectively, the Wildfire Officer in each of these Fire Zones is responsible for the supervision of 45-60 regular and auxiliary status staff, with numbers that can increase during the summer months due to wildfire response. Guided by the pillars of emergency management-mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery-their impactful work in managing wildfires and other natural emergencies in British Columbia is both challenging and rewarding. We value their dedication to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all team members, ensuring equal opportunities for deployment and collaboration with field and office staff.

The Role
Reporting to the Deputy Fire Centre Manager, the Wildfire Officer (WO) is accountable for the implementation of the wildfire management program including prevention, preparedness, response, stakeholder and client engagement, and business administration of the assigned Fire Zone. As a member of the Fire Centre Regional Leadership Team the WO contributes to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic and operational plans and ensures assigned Zone resources can respond effectively to wildfire and other all - hazard situations year-round. This position plays a significant role in engaging with various levels of government, First Nations, industry, and associations. Candidates will find this opportunity exciting as it offers the chance to develop others, support the province and the public, and thrive in a fast-paced and rewarding environment.

Explore the opportunities and value working with our team can offer you: Why Work for the Ministry of Forests.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience
• Degree in a field related to forestry, resource management, public administration, business administration plus 2 years recent related experience*; OR
• Technical diploma in a field related to forestry, resource management plus 4 years recent related experience*; OR
• Grade 12 plus 6 years related experience*; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and training may be considered; AND
• Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience; AND
• Experience in program or project management; AND
• Experience working on land and resource management issues; AND
• Valid Class 5 driver licence
* Related experience is defined as operational emergency response experience in natural resources or a similar field.

Preference statements:
• Preference may be given to candidates with Incident Commander 3 certification within the Incident Command System
• Preference may be given to candidates with Senior Fireline Certification within the Incident Command System (ex. Type 2 or higher)
• Preference may be given to candidates with Experience in wildfire management

Willingness Statements
• To be flexible regarding ongoing changes in responsibilities, assignments and corporate structures.
• To keep current on emerging issues.
• To take in-house training and certification as required.
• To fly in aircraft (fixed wing and rotary) as required.
• To work extended hours, including weekends, and be on standby with limited notice in accordance with the preparedness plan.
• To travel and overnight in remote locations where accommodations may vary as required.
• To participate in ICS positions as assigned.
• To work under adverse or stressful conditions, including smoke, extreme heat and mountainous terrain in remote and isolated conditions.
• To obtain and maintain certification and training for position to meet operational requirements.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Jerrad.Schroeder@gov.bc.ca

About this Position:
2 Positions available.
Positions available in Vernon and Penticton
These positions have full time on-site requirements.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
The Penticton Fire Zone, characterized by diverse topography and fuel types ranging from grasslands to dense forests, has the highest population density outside the Coastal Fire Centre and features numerous communities, industrial activities, and four First Nation Communities, with significant economic contributions from timber and tourism.
The Vernon Fire Zone covers nearly 1,550,000 hectares with diverse geography from semi-arid desert to wet belt forests, a significant urban/rural interface along valley bottoms, a year-round population of about 100,000 that increases in summer, and over 24 fire departments supporting high tourism, recreation, and forest industry values throughout the area.
Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

The BC Public Service is an award-winning employer and offers employees competitive benefits, amazing learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development opportunities. For more information, please see What We Offer.

How to Apply:
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed above. Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting.

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - A resume is required as part of your application, however, it may not be used for initial shortlisting purposes.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a comprehensive questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Include all relevant information about your educational accomplishments and employment history including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and how you obtained your relevant experience. The questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.