BC Public Service situated in Hope, BC V0X 1L0 CA is currently looking for applications for the role of District Avalanche Assistant who is a self-motivated individual with excellent interpersonal skills. The selected candidate must start work promptly. The available position is for a regular or full time job.

Employer Name: BC Public Service
Position: District Avalanche Assistant
No. of vacancies: 2
Salary: $62,609.62-$70,814.71 annually
Employment type: Regular, Full-time
Location: Hope, BC V0X 1L0 CA

Also hiring: Administrative assistant

Job Description

The candidate will be responsible for providing specialized technical expertise in avalanche risk management by independently collecting, validating, and analyzing weather, snowpack, terrain, and avalanche activity data to support snow stability assessments, avalanche forecasting, and operational decision-making.
The candidate will be responsible for ensuring effective monitoring of the avalanche observation and data reporting network by maintaining the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of standardized observations and synthesizing multiple data sources to evaluate snowpack stability and avalanche hazard relative to highway operations.
The candidate will be responsible for supporting and participating in avalanche forecasting, hazard assessments, and control operations in accordance with approved Avalanche Safety Plans while exercising professional judgment to recommend and implement appropriate control measures under varying operational conditions.
The candidate will be responsible for maintaining avalanche support facilities by servicing avalanche control equipment and explosive magazines and ensuring search and rescue caches remain in a state of readiness for emergency situations.
The candidate will be responsible for directing and controlling the movement of operational personnel, the travelling public, and commercial traffic within avalanche control, closure, and elevated hazard areas while ensuring acceptable standards of public, worker, and contractor safety.
The candidate will be responsible for organizing, leading, and participating in avalanche search and rescue operations, including initial response coordination, field deployment, and post-incident documentation, in accordance with established emergency response procedures.
The candidate will be responsible for forecasting avalanche hazard conditions relative to the highway and initiating specific actions and states of alertness for ministry and contracted personnel.
The candidate will be responsible for working with the Avalanche Team to provide input into the most effective and economic short term avalanche control measure under the given circumstance.
The candidate will be responsible for coordinating the assembly and deployment of crews, equipment, and materials for road closures, patrols, and explosive delivery operations while ensuring compliance with safety procedures, regulatory requirements, and operational best practices.
The candidate will be responsible for conducting avalanche control operations using hand-charge and helicopter-delivered explosives, including participating in dud search and disposal activities in accordance with regulatory standards and approved procedures.
The candidate will be responsible for maintaining avalanche program infrastructure and readiness by servicing avalanche control equipment and explosive magazines and ensuring search and rescue caches remain operational and compliant with safety and regulatory requirements.
The candidate will be responsible for delivering avalanche safety training to ministry staff, contractors, and stakeholders and providing technical information to the public regarding avalanche hazards, control activities, and highway safety during winter operations.
The candidate will be responsible for providing operational and technical support to the Weather Network Program by assisting with monitoring, quality control, and minor maintenance of electronic data collection and reporting systems as required.
The candidate will be responsible for collaborating with the Avalanche Team, District staff, contractors, and external partners to support effective, coordinated, and economical avalanche risk mitigation strategies.

Job Requirements

To be implemented at a STO15 level:

The successful candidate must hold a post-secondary technical diploma or higher in forestry, geography, engineering, meteorology with an emphasis on avalanche phenomenon and the properties of snow, or another related field, and have two (2) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program involving observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control, and the training of staff, contractors, and members of the public.
The candidate must have completed Grade 12 and possess four (4) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program that includes 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:

The candidate must have completed Grade 12 and possess two (2) winter seasons of experience in an operational avalanche program that includes observations, snow stability analysis, avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche control, and training of staff, contractors, and members of the public.
The candidate is preferred to have experience in transportation and/or resource avalanche risk management programs.
The candidate must be registered or eligible for registration with the Canadian Avalanche Association as a practitioner or professional member in good standing.
The candidate must possess Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) certification, or a CAA prior learning equivalency assessment, in Avalanche Operations Level 2, with Avalanche Operations Level 1 accepted as the minimum qualification for under-implementation at STO 12.
The candidate should possess Avalanche Search and Rescue Level 1 certification.
The candidate must possess Advanced First Aid certification, or an equivalent certification accredited by WorkSafeBC.
The candidate should possess Incident Command System 100 certification.
The candidate should possess a valid Avalanche Control Blasting Certification acceptable to WorkSafeBC or an equivalent certification.
The candidate should demonstrate one (1) or more winter seasons of workplace experience storing, transporting, handling, fixing, and firing explosives for avalanche control operations, including responsibility for ensuring compliance with applicable legislation and safe work systems.
The candidate must possess 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).
The candidate must demonstrate operational field experience making and collecting weather, snowpack, and avalanche activity observations for avalanche forecasting and risk management.
The candidate must possess a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence.
The candidate must be located in British Columbia at the time of employment.

Additional information

Security and safety

The candidate will be required to undergo a Criminal Record Check (CRC).

Work conditions

The candidate must be physically capable of regularly lifting more than 20 kg, climbing towers exceeding 4 metres in height, travelling on foot through mountainous areas during winter conditions, and working in avalanche terrain under varying conditions.

Benefits

The candidate will have the opportunity to join a team that offers an innovative, inclusive, and rewarding workplace.
The employer will provide reasonable accommodations across all stages of the hiring process, including during assessment and selection.
The employer offers competitive benefits, excellent learning opportunities, and rewarding work with exciting career development opportunities.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying, please submit your application through the provided channels or options.

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