Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
About The Position
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.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- 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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
Benefits
- Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
- Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
- Professional learning and development
- Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
