Program Manager, FireSmart

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo; Fort McMurray; On-site; CAD 129,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking municipality as a Program Manager for the FireSmart initiative, where you'll lead wildfire mitigation efforts and develop strategies to protect our community. This role combines project management with team leadership, ensuring effective implementation of safety measures and community engagement. You'll work closely with various stakeholders to analyze program success and make impactful recommendations. If you're passionate about environmental safety and community resilience, this is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package

Excellent benefits

Retirement plans

Work-life balance

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 6+ years in forest management or wildfire preparedness required.
• Supervisory experience of at least 2 years is necessary.
• Strong understanding of municipal processes and legislation.

Responsibilities

• Implement wildfire mitigation strategies for the municipality.
• Manage administrative tasks and team development.
• Engage with stakeholders and analyze program effectiveness.

Skills

Project Management

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Skills

Public Speaking

Microsoft Office Suite

Emotional Intelligence

Education

Degree in Forestry or related discipline

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Wildfire training or certified arborist

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Requisition ID: 3502

Affiliation: Exempt

Position Type: Permanent Full Time

Number of Openings: 1

Bi-weekly Working Hours: 70 hours bi-weekly

Shift/Work Schedule: Monday- Friday

Department/ Branch: Regional Emergency Services, Fire Prevention

Job Location: Fort McMurray

Starting Salary Range*: $129,438.00 to $136,834.00

COLA: Bi-Weekly - $480

Posted (dd/mm/yyyy): 04/26/2025

Closing Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 11/05/2025

Posting Type: Internal and External

• The Municipality offers a competitive compensation package, including an attractive base salary, excellent benefits, retirement plans, and more. The starting salary for this position is within the range listed above and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
  
  

General Description

The Program Manager, FireSmart is responsible for the implementation of FireSmart Program’s objectives as developed and directed by Regional Emergency Services. Develops strategies and plans to ensure wildfire mitigation measures are implemented for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The incumbent will participate in the management of all administrative aspects for the branch and recommends priorities to ensure the FireSmart program is effective and proficient. Primary responsibilities of this position include:

Implementation of Strategies: Develops and implements wildfire mitigation strategies for Regional Emergency Services. Supports Municipal wildfire mitigation interests consistent with sound science, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Consults with Regional FireSmart Advisory Committee regarding FireSmart initiatives and engagement strategies. Investigates and responds to internal and external customer complaints and concerns. Assists in the writing and delivery of Council Reports. Maintains communication with the Regional FireSmart Advisory Committee and other stakeholder groups. Analyzes the effectiveness of branch programs and makes suggestions for further improvement. Provides input for branch business plans, initiatives, and budget to ensure continuous achievement of branch goals.

Wildfire Mitigation: The incumbent will align all daily activities with the Regional Emergency Services FireSmart program to ensure desired outcomes are achieved. The program’s primary objectives of wildfire mitigation includes assessing and enacting preventative measures to reduce the environmental impacts of the wildfires; enable rapid, safe, efficient and compliant mitigation activities to address and adapt to wildfire risks; and to implement mitigation measures with a view to improving resiliency.

Employee Development: Performs supervisory tasks for assigned team members. Works with team to plan and balance workload. Ensures that the team is managed fairly and consistently and that work processes are followed and coordinated to guarantee service levels. Recruits, mentors, coaches, and provides support to staff.

Skills Requirements

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• Working knowledge of municipal processes and related legislation is required.
• Ability to understand and interpret technical data, plans, landscape drawings, maps, etc.
• Well development project management experience is required.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, public speaking and communication skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to assess situations from a business perspective.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, employees, leaders, and external contacts and interacts in a manner that builds trust, credibility, and rapport.
• High emotional intelligence capacity including the ability to deal effectively with ambiguity, remain calm and neutral in conflict situations.
• Proven ability to be discreet, keep all information and documentation strictly confidential, respectfully and sensitively resolve issues.
• Proficient with various Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• A strong commitment to the safety of our community and a positive, results-focused attitude is required.
  
  

Education

• A degree in Forestry, Forest Technology, Urban Forestry, Arboriculture or a related discipline is required.
• Project Manager Professional (PMP) Designation or equivalent training/experience is an asset.
• Wildfire training, certified arborist or eligibility for registration with the College of Alberta Professional Foresters is considered an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.
  
  

Experience

• A minimum of six (6) years direct experience in forest management, wildfire management, wildfire preparedness and mitigation, or wildland/urban interface management is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a supervisor.
• Experience working in a public-sector environment with unionized and non-unionized employees considered an asset.
  
  

Other Requirements

• A valid Class five (5) Operator’s Licence is required as incumbent may be required to operate a personal or municipal vehicle for business use.
• Submission of a three-year driver’s abstract is required.
• Availability to work outside of regular business hours such as evenings, and/or weekend.
• Must be willing to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to travel to various locations within the region.
• Submission of a Criminal Record Check is required.
  
  

Safety

As an employee of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the incumbent is responsible and accountable for knowing and working in accordance with the Health and Safety Directive. As per section 2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the incumbent shall ensure while in the employ of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo the health and safety of employees, contractors and the public.

This position is employed in a supervisory capacity. As such the employee is required to obtain additional safety training in accordance with municipal procedures and directives.

To apply: Please visit our website at jobs.rmwb.ca

Current employees must apply through the internal careers site.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those individuals

selected for interviews will be contacted. Late applications will not be accepted.