CLK 12R - Dispatcher

The Team
You’ll be joining a dedicated team at the Southeast Fire Centre, including a dispatch supervisor, 3 dispatch leads, and 6 dispatchers. We work closely with operations staff, Southeast Fire Centre team, and aircraft personnel to ensure the safety of our crews and communities.

The Role
Be at the Heart of BC’s Wildfire Response
As a Dispatcher at the Southeast Fire Centre, you will play a vital role in the communication network that connects wildfire crews, aircraft, and coordination centres across British Columbia. Your responsibilities will include receiving fire reports, dispatching wildfire crews and other resources to new and emerging incidents, documenting all communications, and monitoring safety procedures for wildfire and Ministry personnel in the field.
You will be the critical communication link for crews in the field during intense fire activity, including tactical evacuations, loss of property, and emergency medical evacuations for injured personnel in remote areas. Your ability to remain calm, focused, and responsive under pressure directly supports the safety and success of wildfire response personnel.
This role demands exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently under pressure as you manage multiple demands and time-sensitive requests throughout the day. You must be able to stay productive during quieter periods and respond to increased intensity and job demands at a moment’s notice. Our team is diverse, inclusive, and committed to supporting one another through the challenges and rewards of wildfire response. Join us to make a meaningful impact on wildfire operations and be part of a team that values resilience, collaboration, and respect.

Dispatchers are employed at each of the province’s six fire centres, providing the communication link between wildfire coordination centres, aircraft, and personnel in the field. They implement pre-approved fire control decisions and support the safe and effective deployment of resources.
This position is fast-paced and high-stakes. The required accountabilities for BCWS Dispatchers are as follows:
• Processes, monitors and updates incoming fire calls and reports.
• Reporting timely and accurate information to the Regional Wildfire Coordination Officer or designate.
• Based on direction from the Regional Wildfire Coordination Officer or designate, assists in deploying resources.
• Receives, transmits and monitors all radio communications related to field operations resources in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Monitors and records aircraft movement in accordance with approved operating procedures.
• Initiate emergency response procedures to downed aircraft, overdue staff or other emergency situations as required.
• Receives and tracks open burning registration numbers.
• Maintains check-ins with staff in accordance with safety and administrative procedures, immediately reporting any irregularities as they occur.
• Performs a variety of administrative tasks, including data entry, maintaining files and producing reports as required.
• Function in the Incident Command System as assigned.

What to Expect
Training is intensive and requires rapid learning and retention of large volumes of information. The work is demanding, with long hours, unexpected overtime, and standby shifts where you must be able to report to work within 30 minutes of notification. You will be expected to:
• Stay calm and focused in high-pressure, high-stakes situations.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and operational demands.
• Maintain accuracy and composure during emergencies.
• Work long stretches of time (up to 14 days) repeatedly, with minimal time off during peak wildfire season.
• Stay engaged and productive during slower periods, ready to respond immediately when activity increases.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements
• Grade 12 or equivalent
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s licence

Preference may be given to applicants who have the following:
• Demonstrate an accurate typing speed of 50 words per minute or greater
• One (1) or more years of experience working in a demanding environment with strict timelines
• Experience working in an office and team setting
• Experience in records management or filing
• One (1) or more years of experience in emergency response or dispatch
• Experience working with computers and digital systems
• Experience working with Microsoft Office suite

Provisos /Willingness statements:
• To be flexible regarding ongoing changes in responsibilities, assignments and corporate structures.
• To keep current on emerging issues.
• To take in-house training and certification as required.
• To fly in aircraft (fixed wing and rotary) as required.
• To work extended hours, including weekends, and be on standby with limited notice in accordance with the preparedness plan.
• To travel and overnight in remote locations where accommodations may vary as required.
• To participate in ICS positions as assigned.
• To work under adverse or stressful conditions, including smoke, extreme heat and mountainous terrain in remote and isolated conditions.

For questions regarding this position, please contact georgia.derby@gov.bc.ca.

About this Position:
1 Position available.
This posting is to establish an eligibility list for future permanent and/or temporary vacancies.
This position is based in Castlegar.
This position has full time on-site requirements.
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Inuit or Métis) applicants originating from the land now known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

How to Apply:
Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation.

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.