STO 15R - District Avalanche Assistant

The Team
The District is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and services across the region by overseeing road, bridge, and related transportation infrastructure. Acting as a key liaison between the Ministry, contractors, and stakeholders, the team manages complex operations, contracts, and emergency responses that support public safety and the provincial economy.

The Role
This position is responsible for supporting the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of the District Avalanche Safety Program under the general direction of the District Avalanche Supervisor. The role independently observes, analyzes, and assesses avalanche activity, terrain, snowpack, and weather conditions. The position operates in a dynamic, high-risk environment and is in regular contact with maintenance contractors, emergency responders, other ministry staff, helicopter service providers, and members of the public. The position conducts avalanche forecasting and participates in the planning and execution of avalanche control operations, including the application of explosives, in accordance with approved safety plans and procedures. The incumbent exercises professional judgment to assess risk, recommend control measures, and contribute to operational decision-making during elevated avalanche hazard conditions. The position contributes technical expertise to the development, refinement, and evaluation of avalanche hazard assessments and mitigation strategies, while operating within approved plans, regulatory requirements, and district priorities.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements

Note: If the following requirements are not fully met, the position may be under-implemented at the STO 12 level. The full qualifications must be achieved within three (3) winter seasons to be fully implemented at the STO 15 level.

Education and Experience

• To be implemented at a STO15 level, you must have:
  • Post-secondary technical diploma, or higher, in the field of forestry, geography, engineering or meteorology with an emphasis on avalanche phenomenon and the properties of snow or other related fields with two (2) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program which include observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control and training of staff/contractors and members of the public; OR
  • Grade 12 with four (4) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program which include observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control and training of staff/contractors and members of the public;
• To be under-implemented at a STO12 level, you must have:
  • Grade 12 with two (2) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program which include observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control and training of staff/contractors and members of the public;

Note: Operational avalanche program experience must include at least (2) winter seasons in an avalanche risk management program. Experience within a transportation and/or resource avalanche risk management program is strongly preferred.
Training Certificates/Professional Associations

• Must be registered or be eligible to be registered with the Canadian Avalanche Association, as a practitioner or professional member in good standing.
• Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) certification (or CAA prior learning equivalency assessment) in:
  • Avalanche Operations Level 2 (Level 1 minimum for under-implementation at STO 12)
  • Avalanche Search and Rescue Level 1 (preferred).
  • Advanced First Aid, or equivalent, as accredited by WorkSafeBC.
  • Incident Command System 100 (preferred).

Blasting Certification and Explosives use Experience:

• Valid Avalanche Control Blasting Certification acceptable to WorkSafe BC or equivalent (preferred).
• Demonstrated workplace experience of one (1) or more winter seasons storing, transporting, handling, fixing and firing explosives for avalanche control operations. Experience including responsibility for ensuring compliance with applicable legislation and safe work systems (preferred).
• Sound knowledge of relevant provincial and federal regulations and standards, including the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, Federal and Provincial explosives and blasting regulations, WorkSafeBC regulations and guidelines, and Workplace Hazard Information Management Systems (WHMIS).

Note: If certifications have expired and the applicant can demonstrate they have registered for recertification, this would be considered acceptable.

Other Requirements

• Demonstrated operational field experience making and collecting weather, snowpack, and avalanche activity observations for avalanche forecasting and risk management.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence.
• Physically fit to regularly lift in excess of 20kg, to climb towers in excess of 4m high, to travel on foot in the mountains in winter conditions, demonstrated experience travelling and working in avalanche terrain under varying conditions.

Note: May be asked to respond to Provincial Emergency Program callouts for mutual aid, however this is not a job requirement, and participation would be at the discretion of the individual/Supervisor

For questions regarding this position, please contact Wren.McElroy@gov.bc.ca .

About this Position:
Two (2) Positions available.
This is a temporary opportunity until May 1, 2027. This position may be extended.
This position has full time on-site requirements.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary vacancies.
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.

The BC Public Service is an award-winning employer and offers employees competitive benefits, amazing learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development opportunities. For more information, please see What We Offer.

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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.

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 standard questionnaire (current employment status, eligibility to apply, etc.).

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.