Fire and Emergency Services Officer

Tobacco Plains; Grasmere; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ya q̓ it ʔ a·knuqⱡi’it First Nation (Tobacco Plains Band) in Grasmere, BC, is seeking a Fire & Emergency Services Officer to support safety and resilience through emergency response, fire prevention, and FireSmart initiatives.

Reporting to the Director, you will respond to fires and medical emergencies, coordinate FireSmart activities, and work with community members and partner agencies to strengthen preparedness.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 diploma or equivalent.
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license in good standing in British Columbia.
• Completion of FireSmart 101, Wildfire Risk Reduction training, and Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) qualification, or willingness to obtain upon hiring.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other incidents within Ya q̓ it ʔ a·knuqⱡi’it First Nation and surrounding areas.
• Perform firefighting, rescue, emergency medical response, and fire suppression within training/certification scope.
• Safely operate, inspect, and maintain firefighting apparatus, emergency vehicles, PPE, tools, and equipment.
• Collaborate with other emergency responders, fire departments, and community partners during incidents.
• Participate in regular training, drills, and professional development to maintain readiness.
• Support community emergency preparedness planning, exercises, and readiness initiatives.

Skills

Emergency response

Fire prevention

FireSmart

Public education

Team collaboration

Effective communication

Education

Grade 12 diploma or equivalent

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license

FireSmart 101

Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) qualification

Job description

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation (\"YQT\") is a rural First Nation located near Grasmere, BC, in one of British Columbia’s most beautiful natural settings. Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation (YQT) is seeking a Fire & Emergency Services Officer to help support the safety, preparedness, and resilience of the community. Reporting to the Director of Fire & Emergency Services, this hands-on role responds to fires, medical emergencies, and other incidents while also supporting fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk reduction initiatives. The Officer will coordinate and deliver YQT’s FireSmart initiatives and work closely with community members, YQT departments, and partner agencies to strengthen emergency preparedness and reduce wildfire risk. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys a mix of emergency response, community-based work, and proactive prevention and preparedness.

Position

Fire & Emergency Services Officer

Location

Ya q̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation (Tobacco Plains Band), Grasmere, BC

Department

Fire & Emergency Services

Classification

Staff

Reports To

Director, Fire & Emergency Services

Job Summary

The Fire & Emergency Services Officer supports the safety, preparedness, and resilience of Ya q̓ it ʔ a·knuqⱡi’it First Nation (YQT) through emergency response, fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk reduction. Reporting to the Director of Fire & Emergency Services, the position provides operational response to fires, medical emergencies, and other incidents while coordinating and delivering the Nation’s FireSmart initiatives. The Officer works collaboratively with community members, departments, and partner agencies to strengthen emergency preparedness, reduce wildfire risk, and support a safe and resilient community.

Cultural Safety

• Build respectful and trusting relationships with community members when providing emergency services, education, assessments, and recommendations.
• Recognize and respect Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it values, knowledge, priorities, and connection to the land when supporting emergency preparedness and wildfire mitigation activities.
• Communicate fire safety and emergency preparedness information in a clear, respectful, practical, and accessible manner.
• Work collaboratively with community members, leadership, departments, and partner agencies to strengthen community safety and preparedness.
• Demonstrate professionalism, compassion, sound judgment, and respect when responding to community members during emergency and high-stress situations.

Key Responsibilities

Emergency Response & Fire Services

• Respond to fires, medical emergencies, motor vehicle incidents, and other emergency situations within Ya q̓ it ʔ a·knuqⱡi’it First Nation and surrounding areas, as required.
• Perform firefighting, rescue, emergency medical response, fire suppression, scene safety, and other emergency response activities within the scope of training and certification.
• Safely operate, inspect, and maintain firefighting apparatus, emergency vehicles, personal protective equipment, tools, and other emergency response equipment.
• Work collaboratively with other emergency responders, fire departments, emergency management agencies, and community partners during emergency incidents.
• Participate in regular training, drills, exercises, and professional development to maintain operational readiness and required competencies.
• Support community emergency preparedness planning, exercises, public education, and readiness initiatives in collaboration with the Director of Fire & Emergency Services.
• Complete and maintain accurate incident reports, equipment records, and other required emergency response documentation.
• Follow established emergency response procedures, occupational health and safety requirements, incident command practices, and applicable legislation and standards.

FireSmart & Wildfire Mitigation

• Coordinate and implement FireSmart programs and initiatives based on the needs, priorities, and environment of Ya q̓ it ʔ a·knuqⱡi’it First Nation.
• Conduct FireSmart Home Ignition Zone and other wildfire hazard assessments and provide practical mitigation recommendations to homeowners, neighbourhoods, and the community.
• Support community members in implementing FireSmart principles and wildfire mitigation measures on private and community lands.
• Deliver FireSmart and fire prevention education through presentations, workshops, community events, and one-on-one engagement with community members.
• Coordinate assessments, documentation, and activities associated with FireSmart programs, including the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program and applicable rebate initiatives.
• Collaborate with community members, leadership, land managers, contractors, BC Wildfire Service, neighbouring fire departments, First Nations, and other partners to support wildfire preparedness and mitigation activities.
• Monitor FireSmart initiatives, maintain required program records and reporting, and identify opportunities to strengthen wildfire risk-reduction efforts.
• Maintain current knowledge of FireSmart standards, wildfire behaviour, fire prevention, and emerging wildfire mitigation practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Fire & Emergency Services.

Key Competencies

• Knowledge of fire prevention, firefighting operations, emergency response and preparedness, FireSmart principles, and wildfire risk-reduction practices.
• Knowledge of emergency response procedures, incident command practices, emergency scene safety, and safe work practices.
• Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and respond effectively in emergency and high-pressure situations.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate fire safety and technical information clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to build respectful and effective relationships with community members, colleagues, leadership, and external partners.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and work effectively as part of a team.
• Cultural awareness and the ability to work respectfully and effectively within a First Nation community.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 diploma or equivalent.
• Current Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license in good standing in British Columbia.
• Previous experience as an ambulance attendant considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in firefighting, emergency response, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Completion of FireSmart 101, Wildfire Risk Reduction training, and Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) qualification, or willingness to obtain upon hiring.

Contact Information

• Mailing address: PO Box 76, Grasmere BC V0B 1R0
• Office location: 5500 Village Loop Road, Grasmere, BC (map link)