The Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) program presents a unique and exciting opportunity to Albertan high school students age 16 to 18.
It’s not your normal summer job!
Successful applicants will gain valuable skills and knowledge towards a career in natural resource fields through hands on work experience.
Prerequisites
All applicants must be:
- 16 to 18 years of age of as July 1
- 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. There is a minimum fitness standard that is part of the screening process
- Available for a seven-day overnight training program, starting in the first weeks of July
- Prepared to live and work in the outdoors for seven weeks
Although each crew has a different experience, you will typically:
- Thin trees in order to reduce the threat of wildfire
- Construct trails
- Plant trees
- Assist with research projects in the area
- Engage in wildfire management scenarios
All JFR crew members will work on a variety of projects. Find out more information:
- About JFR Curriculum
You will also take part in several tours, presentations, and training courses related to wildfire and natural resource management. You will receive training in:
- Bear awareness
- Hand tools
- Radio operations
- Standard first aid and Level C CPR
- Wildfire orientation
When selecting rangers for the summer, JFR screening teams review each application, arrange for an interview and look for the following:
Ranger qualities
- Adaptive
- Enthusiastic
- Team-oriented
- Inquisitive
- Respectful
- Willing to take initiative
Physical fitness
- Applicants must pass a fitness test: a two-mile walk with a 25-pound backpack in under 30 minutes
- Each crew will experience physical labour, and the work can go all day for multiple days
- On the weekends, crews will be expected to participate on long day hikes, canoeing trips or other recreational activity
Crew member recruitment and selection
Applicants are screened and selected based on their suitability to the program. Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please be sure that your application package is complete.
For second-year rangers, performance evaluations from first-year program are reviewed.
Interviews are held in April. Successful applicants will be notified by telephone in early May.
Workshift
The work week runs from Monday to Friday, with days off on Saturday and Sunday.
For camp-based crews, JFR crew members are expected stay with their crew every weekend. Typically, Saturday is spent in the local community taking care of personal business and Sunday is for crew recreation day.
Exceptions may be made for unforeseen circumstances or special events such as weddings. The long weekend in August is Family Weekend, which provides a mid-season break for all employees.
Apply here
Contact Us
For more information, please contact JFR program staff at:
Alberta Junior Forest Rangers
9th floor, 9920-108 St.
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2M4
Tel: 780-422-9276
Fax: 780-415-1509
Email: JFR.info@gov.ab.ca