Wildfire Dispatcher

Job Information

Job Title:

Wildfire Dispatcher

Job Requisition

Ministry:
Forestry and Parks

Location:

Various, AB

Full or Part-Time:
Full-Time Seasonal Wages

Hours of Work: up to 40 hours per week

Permanent/Temporary:
Temporary Seasonal Summer

Scope:
Wage Opportunity

Closing Date:
Open Until Suitable Candidate Found

Classification:
Administrative Support 3

Salary: $23.28 to $29.46 hourly

Alberta Wildfire inspires public confidence in wildfire and forest management, sustaining operations and preventative practices, and leading collaboration that enables safe and resilient communities. For more information, visit:

If multi‑tasking in a fast‑paced environment and precision skills are your strengths, we have the perfect role for you. Consider stepping into the position of Wildfire Dispatcher, where your dedication to accuracy drives your success. Discover how your contributions seamlessly transform into effective wildfire response and community safety.

The Wildfire Dispatcher takes appropriate actions to move, place, or direct wildfire resources with direction from a Duty Officer. Working with a variety of communication equipment, the Wildfire Dispatcher provides communication links between the Area Duty Room, aircraft, lookouts, and crews working in the field.

Holding a calm and focused demeanor, the Wildfire Dispatcher manages multiple tasks effectively, ensuring accurate and timely data entry into multiple Wildfire specific programs, prioritizing radio calls, and verbal communication skills to effectively navigate work teams of all sizes. Wildfire Dispatchers will see changes in pace throughout the day, and at times the job will involve multiple demands, interruptions, and time‑specific requests.

Attention to detail is paramount, as are professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

Look into a glimpse into the role of a Wildfire Dispatcher, and learn more about the critical communication link this position plays between the forest area duty room, aircraft, and personnel in the field.

In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating emergency communications, supporting wildfire response efforts, and providing technical and administrative support to ensure safe and efficient operations.

• Receive and respond to 310‑FIRE calls and smoke detections transmitted via radio
• Monitor aircraft and wildfire activity to ensure compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures
• Maintain accurate records including aircraft position logs, manifests, daily flight logs, and reports
• Process aircraft requests for multiple agencies within the department
• Utilize maps, GPS coordinates, and legal land descriptions for dispatch and coordination
• Initiate emergency response procedures for overdue or missing aircraft, overdue personnel, or other emergency incidents
• Operate and troubleshoot radios, computer systems, and dispatch applications
• Participate in the Incident Command System (ICS) during wildfire events, both in-office and in the field
• Prioritize tasks, solve problems, and manage operations in fast-paced and changing conditions
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and other relevant software

Successful applicants will receive training in the Alberta Wildfire Dispatcher Course, training in recording and conveying radio transmissions to and from aircraft, crews, and lookout observers in the field or on wildfires, and training in wildfire-specific computer programs utilized in the day‑to‑day work.

Join us in this critical role where your skills contribute to effective wildfire response and community safety.

• Creative Problem Solving: develops solutions to complex problems conscious of the development, conservation, and use of resources
• Drive For Results: strives to exceed objectives and maximize resource to achieve results aligned with the goals of the department, considerate to both internal and external partners
• Build Collaborative Environments:
  Takes a collaborative approach with your work to foster open communication and leverage team skills
• Agility: identifies alternative approached in uncertain, complex situations, supporting others…