Crew Member

The Alberta Junior Forest Ranger program presents a unique and exciting opportunity to full-time Alberta high school students enrolled in grade 10, 11 or 12 (ages 16 to 18) to work, live and learn in Alberta's great outdoors!

Composed of hands-on work experiences, successful applicants will gain valuable skills and knowledge towards a career in the natural resource field.

Alberta Junior Forest Rangers consists of three options:

• Camp-based Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) crews, located throughout Alberta
• Camp-based Métis crew for applicants from across Alberta and Camp-based First Nation crew for applicants who are Treaty 7 members
• Community-based Aboriginal Junior Forest Ranger (Aboriginal JFR) crews hosted by First Nation

In order be part of the Aboriginal JFR community crews, youth have to be a resident of the host community. If you do not reside in a host community, applications need to be directed to the camp-based option.

Prerequisites

All applicants must be:

• 16 to 18 years of age of as July 1st
• a full-time student enrolled in grade 10, 11 or 12 at time of application
• interested in Forestry, Wildfire Operations, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, or Stewardship
• involved in community, school athletics, student council or volunteer services
• in good physical condition
• available for seven-day, overnight training, starting in the first week of July
• prepared to live and work in the outdoors for seven weeks

For Aboriginal Community Crew Members, you must be a resident of a host community. First Nations Camp Crew Members must be selected by a Treaty 7 community.

As a JFR or Aboriginal JFR, you will work on a variety of projects. Although each crew has a different experience, you will typically:

• Assist with research projects in the area
• Construct trails
• Plant trees
• Thin trees in order to reduce the threat of wildfire

You will also take part in several tours, presentations and training courses related to wildfire and natural resource management.

You will receive training in:

The Second-Year Ranger option gives those who have successfully completed the first-year program the opportunity to further expand their knowledge and skills and explore career path options.

In addition to working with their assigned crew, the 2nd year member will be assigned administrative tasks which may include project planning, plus leadership and instructing assignments.

Prerequisites

All applicants must:

• have applied to or be enrolled in post-secondary institute in a relevant field
• in addition to the application and reference forms, provide a resume with cover letter (statement of interest is not required)
• provide previous year’s employment evaluation

For Aboriginal Community Crew Members, you must be a resident of a host community. First Nations Camp Crew Members must be selected by a Treaty 7 community.