Fire Behaviour Specialist
- Edmonton, AB
- Permanent
- Temps-plein
Job Title: Fire Behaviour Specialist
Job Requisition ID: 74496
Ministry: Forestry and Parks
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: September 25, 2025
Pay Grade: Natural Resource 8
Salary: $2,896.94 to $3,741.60 biweekly ($75,610 to $97,655/year)The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: .The Ministry of Forestry and Parks invests in the environmentally responsible growth of Alberta's wood products and forestry sector. We are committed to protecting Alberta's forests from wildfires and preserving our provincial parks for the recreation and enjoyment of Albertans. For more information on the Ministry of Forestry and Parks, please visit:Role ResponsibilitiesReporting to the Fire Behaviour Program Lead, the Fire Behaviour Specialist will provide expert advice, technical guidance, and technology transfer to division staff in support of prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression activities. A comprehensive understanding of wildland fire behaviour principles is essential, as nearly all actions taken during a wildfire depend on how the fire behaves. Fire behaviour forms the foundation for models and knowledge used in prediction, planning, and training, and understanding it is critical for safe and effective firefighting operations.Key responsibilities include:
- Provide specialized products and services to branch-level decision-makers, incorporating sound fire behaviour principles to support planning, decision documents, and strategic direction.
- Facilitate knowledge and technology transfer to division staff.
- Audit, analyze, and report on the sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness of decision support systems and tools.
- Oversee the development of Alberta's FBP (Fire Behaviour Prediction) Fuel Type layer, which is used for fire behaviour forecasting and modelling at multiple scales and in different contexts.
- Participate in the Fire Behaviour Service Centre (FBSC) Coordinator roster, providing detailed information on current and forecast fire danger, fire behaviour, and significant fire activity to fire managers and Incident Management Teams, supporting strategic and tactical decision-making.
- Participate in incident management roles on wildfire and prescribed fire as required.
- Systems Thinking: Considers emerging trends when contributing ideas to the development of broader priorities, strategies and approaches, and considers inter-relationships among different aspects of an approach including how they relate to other programs.
- Creative Problem Solving: Finds ways to improve complex systems to better meet goals and outcomes, and continuously engages others to scope and solve issues.
- Drive for Results: Identifies and acts on opportunities to partner with other groups to achieve desired outcomes, and identifies ways to exceed performance expectations.
- Develop Networks: Considers how changes might impact colleagues, clients and stakeholders, and actively seeks their input and/or involvement regarding those changes, and maintains relationships even when no specific project/initiative is underway.
- A degree in a related field (e.g., natural resource conservation, ecosystem management, or natural/environmental sciences such as biology, ecology, forestry, soil science, geology, or geography) plus four years of related experience, including recent and significant experience in wildland fire planning and management.
- A related two-year diploma plus six years of related experience.
- Additional related education may be considered in lieu of experience based on one year of education for one year of experience or vice versa.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey technical and scientific information.
- Strong organizational skills to maintain efficiency in a fast-paced work environment.
- Ability to manage rapidly changing workload priorities.
- Ability to lead and work effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
- Certifications:
- Certified Fire Behaviour Analyst (FBAN).
- Class 5 Driver's License.
- Defensive Driving
- WHMIS and TDG (Air and Ground)
- Standard First Aid
- Certified Fire Behaviour Analyst on Type 1 Incident Management Team.
- Spatial fire growth modeling, including competence in Prometheus.
- In-depth knowledge of Fire Weather Index (FWI) and Fire Behaviour Prediction (FBP) subsystems of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS).
- Working knowledge of AWARE, PPS, and FIRES.
- Wildland Fire Behaviour Specialist training.
- I-300 Intermediate Incident Command System training.
- 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.
- Working for the Alberta Public Service -
. * Alberta Public Service Benefit Information -
. * Professional learning and development -
. * Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool -
. * Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
- Leadership and mentorship programs.
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 visit for more information. Please visit , for more information.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 Michele Murphy at .