Regional FireSmart Coordinator

CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Regional FireSmart Coordinator
Contract Full-Time (40 hours/Week)
Job #25-045

There has never been a better time for you to step into municipal employment and have a strong role in shaping your future, your career, and the community. We believe that our values of diversity, collaboration, innovation and mutual respect bring out the best in our team.

The Regional FireSmart Coordinator is responsible for leading, facilitating, and delivering FireSmart initiatives across program partner communities within the Whitecourt Forest Area, including the Town of Whitecourt, Woodlands County, and Town of Swan Hills. This position is a contract position for a term of 2 years. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and deliver Regional Community FireSmart Programs within the Whitecourt Forest Area, acting as the primary point of contact across participating municipalities, including the Town of Whitecourt, Woodlands County, and Swan Hills.

• Identify, apply for, and manage FireSmart-related grant opportunities; oversee the implementation of funded FireSmart activities on private and municipal lands.

• Develop and distribute internal and public-facing communications that promote FireSmart education and engagement.

• Lead and execute initiatives funded through the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA); ensure timely completion of all deliverables outlined in FRIAA Grant Agreements.

• Organize and participate in community outreach events across the Whitecourt Forest Area to promote FireSmart and wildfire preparedness.

• Coordinate, conduct, and review FireSmart Advanced Home Assessments across the region. Facilitate the recruitment and training of Whitecourt Fire Department and regional volunteers, and oversee their management to strengthen the capacity for home assessment delivery throughout the region.

• Carry out wildfire hazard and risk assessments for neighbourhoods, rural subdivisions, and hamlets, including development of site-specific recommendations.

• Coordinate development and/or updates to Community Wildfire Preparedness Guides for partner communities within the Whitecourt Forest Area.

• Evaluate and support enhancements to regional wildfire response capacity through collaboration with emergency responders and fire departments.

• Organize and take a lead role in multi-agency wildfire cross-training exercises.

• Chair quarterly Community FireSmart Committee meetings to coordinate regional wildfire mitigation efforts and share best practices among stakeholders. 

Qualifications

• High School Diploma. 

• Minimum of 2 years of related experience 

• Background in public safety education, emergency management, vegetation management, or land-use planning

• Proven understanding and application of FireSmart principles and wildfire mitigation strategies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation delivery

• Effective interpersonal abilities and professionalism in working with elected officials, municipal staff, emergency services, provincial agencies, and the general public

• Certification as an Advanced FireSmart Home Assessor and Local FireSmart Representative, or ability to obtain

• Proficiency with office productivity software (Excel, word, etc.), mapping systems, project management tools, social media platforms, and database systems. 

The Town of Whitecourt offers a competitive compensation package to the successful applicant.  The current salary for this position is $83,000.00 plus health benefits. The successful applicant will be required to provide a satisfactory criminal record check and drivers’ abstract prior to being hired. 

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