STO R - District Avalanche Assistant

STO 15R - District Avalanche Assistant (123951)

Job Summary

The Team
The District is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and services across the region by overseeing road, bridge, and related transportation infrastructure. Acting as a key liaison between the Ministry, contractors, and stakeholders, the team manages complex operations, contracts, and emergency responses that support public safety and the provincial economy.

The Role
This position is responsible for supporting the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of the District Avalanche Safety Program under the general direction of the District Avalanche Supervisor. The role independently observes, analyzes, and assesses avalanche activity, terrain, snowpack, and weather conditions. The position operates in a dynamic, high‑risk environment and is in regular contact with maintenance contractors, emergency responders, other ministry staff, helicopter service providers, and members of the public.

The position conducts avalanche forecasting and participates in the planning and execution of avalanche control operations, including the application of explosives, in accordance with approved safety plans and procedures. The incumbent exercises professional judgment to assess risk, recommend control measures, and contribute to operational decision‑making during elevated avalanche hazard conditions. The position contributes technical expertise to the development, refinement, and evaluation of avalanche hazard assessments and mitigation strategies, while operating within approved plans, regulatory requirements, and district priorities.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience Requirements

Note:

If the following requirements are not fully met, the position may be under‑implemented at the STO 12 level. The full qualifications must be achieved within three (3) winter seasons to be fully implemented at the STO 15 level.

Education and Experience

• To be implemented at a STO
  15 level, you must have:
  • Post‑secondary technical diploma, or higher, in the field of forestry, geography, engineering or meteorology with an emphasis on avalanche phenomenon and the properties of snow or other related fields with two (2) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program which include observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control and training of staff/contractors and members of the public;
    
    OR
  • Grade 12 with four (4) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program which include observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control and training of staff/contractors and members of the public;
• To be under‑implemented at a STO
  12 level, you must have:
  • Grade 12 with two (2) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program which include observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control and training of staff/contractors and members of the public;

Note:

Operational avalanche program experience must include at least (2) winter seasons in an avalanche risk management program. Experience with in a transportation and/or resource avalanche risk management program is strongly preferred.

Training Certificates/Professional Associations

• Must be registered or be eligible to be registered with the Canadian Avalanche Association, as a practitioner or professional member in good standing.
• Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) certification (or CAA prior learning equivalency assessment) in:
  • Avalanche Operations Level 2 (Level 1 minimum for under‑implementation at STO 12)
  • Avalanche Search and Rescue Level 1 (preferred).
  • Advanced First Aid, or equivalent, as accredited by WorkSafeBC.
  • Incident Command System 100 (preferred).

Blasting Certification and Explosives use

Experience:

• Valid Avalanche Control Blasting Certification acceptable to Work Safe BC or equivalent (preferred).
• Demonstrated workplace experience of one (1) or more winter seasons storing, transporting, handling, fixing and firing explosives for avalanche control operations. Experience including responsibility for ensuring compliance with applicable…