Wildfire Prevention Officer (Forestry Technician 4)

Competition # : 49005  

Department: Natural Resources

Location: SHUBENACADIE

Type of Employment:Permanent

Union Status:  NSGEU - NSPG  

Closing Date: 07-Jul-26  (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources – including biodiversity, forests, provincial parks and the land we manage. The Department of Lands and Forestry is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.

About Our Opportunity

As the Wildfire Prevention Officer, you will be responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing and delivering new or existing wildfire detection, prevention and mitigation initiatives for the province of Nova Scotia. You will also be responsible for all aspects of the wildfire prevention program including but not limited to:

• Coordinating the province wide FireSmart program
• Coordinate a wildfire investigation plan, post-season after-action review, and year end report.
• Research and analyze wildfire human caused fires and develop strategies and tactics for detecting wildfires as well as preventing and mitigating impacts on natural resources, property and communities.
• Responsible for the development & maintenance of wildfire prevention outreach materials in line with human caused fires

As wildfire management is a global and collaborative effort, you will have the opportunity to represent the province on regional, provincial, national and international committees dealing with wildfire prevention issues. You will build and maintain an extensive network and working relationships with numerous government and non-government stakeholders and clients ensuring emerging issues are anticipated and communicated to the Manager, Forest Protection. As we continually strive to stay at the forefront of Wildfire Management, you will be responsible for being aware of new processes, trends and initiatives (as they emerge) and transferring them to or incorporating them into Nova Scotia’s provincial program.

• During extreme wildfire risk and activity, you will use your technical knowledge and experience to help make decisions which have an impact on public safety. You will also execute and/or oversee a variety of procurement and applicable administrative operations necessary to meet departmental and corporate reporting requirements. 

• In addition, you will provide leadership to department staff in the delivery of the Prevention Program.  You will also coordinate establish effective partnerships & community relations through prevention training/presentations with many external agencies and stakeholders.

• As part of the Forest Protection team, you will perform as one of the provincial fire duty officers. This includes scheduled duty shifts throughout the fire season and involves setting aircraft alerts, dispatch of detection and suppression aircraft, fire equipment, fire personnel and for ensuring performance of daily fire control duties including the calculation and dissemination of provincial fire danger ratings to the appropriate agencies.

• This position reports to the Manager, Forest Protection.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you have completed a department recognized forestry (or related Natural Resources Technician) Diploma Program and have six (6) years of related experience.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

You must have a strong technical background that can be applied to all aspects of wildfire management including, but not limited to, technical knowledge of wildfire prevention, wildfire protocols, wildfire risk, hazard and behavior, wildfire terminology and overall wildfire management concepts. 

You have a good working knowledge of the principles and practices of wildfire management, detection, investigation, prevention, and mitigation. 

You have demonstrated experience and training in a leadership role with decision making responsibilities based on operational requirements.  You are an excellent communicator (both in writing and verbally) and have exceptional interpersonal skills which enable you to build and maintain functional and effective relationships with many diverse clients and organizations. You have demonstrated problem solving, time management, and organizational skills. This is a specialized position, and you must be highly motivated with strong self-initiative and judgement to produce accurate and reliable results.

You must have completed the following training or be willing and able to obtain upon employment:

• FireSmart Canada Level 1 through 4 Training
• S-590 Fire Behaviour Course
• FI 210 Wildfire Investigator

It would be considered an asset if you have:

• Public speaking experience
• Strong working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database programs
• Previous project planning, development and implementation experience with government and non-government agencies

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees. bout our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Additional Information

A valid NS driver’s license (minimum Class 5) is required as you will be required to operate or travel in department vehicles and helicopters. This role requires extensive travel throughout the province (by vehicle or aircraft), nationally and internationally. Work environment may result in occasioned exposure to welding fumes, noise, etc. 

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Shubenacadie.

What We Offer

• Contribution to the protection of Nova Scotia’s natural resources;
• Career advancement;
• Potential travel opportunities;
• Working primarily outside and in nature
• Exciting team environment.

Pay Grade:TE 27 - TE 27  

Salary Range:  $2,944.94 - $3,420.52 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve.  The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented.  If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application. 

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at Show email.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued. 

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. 

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Show email.