Wildfire fighters

BC Wildfire Service recruiting process for 2024:

If you are interested in a position with the BC Wildfire Service, please continue with your online application between the dates of October 2023 and March 31, 2024.

Applications must be completed and submitted online through the link below. Paper applications will not be accepted. The online application consists of a questionnaire with space for the applicant to paste a copy of their cover letter and resume.

Once you have submitted your online application you will be notified whether you will be offered an interview as applications are received and vacancies are determined.

If you have any further questions, please email: BCWS.Recruiting@gov.bc.ca

Explore different work locations by visiting the 2023 BC Wildfire Service Provincial Map. 

Access online application form

What you need to know before you apply

Are you eligible?

Before you apply, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. All positions in the BC Public Service require that applicants are eligible to work in Canada. We do not sponsor individual work visas.

To be eligible to work in Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or authorized in writing to work in Canada under the federal Immigration Act. Eligibility to work in Canada is granted through citizenship, permanent resident status or a work permit.

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to accept a permanent job offer (unless stated otherwise in the posting).

If you have a valid temporary work permit, you may be eligible for temporary (auxiliary) work but only until your work permit expires or is renewed. For information on temporary work permit requirements, go to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

First aid requirements

All applicants must possess a first aid certificate recognized in the B.C. workplace. The minimum certification options include:

• Occupational First Aid Level 1 or Level 2 certificate and Transportation Endorsement
  or
• Occupational First Aid Level 3 certificate

First aid certificates must be valid until Oct. 31 2024 . You will be asked to show proof of first aid or proof of enrollment in a recognized first aid course at the interview.  Applicants without appropriate first aid documentation (certificate, enrollment, or equivalency certificate) will be removed from the competition.

For more information on accepted first aid tickets in the British Columbia workplace please see WorkSafe BC Accepted First Aid Certificates.

If you are a certified first aid attendant outside of BC or an emergency medical assistant or a paramedic in industry within BC, you can be issued a certificate to carry out occupational first aid in BC. The jurisprudence package to complete this process is located here Jurisprudence Package for Other Jurisdictions

More information on obtaining a First Aid Equivalency certificate can also be found by contacting an approved training provider as listed on the WorkSafe BC First Aid Training Providers webpage. 

Applications without appropriate first aid will not be considered.

Driver’s license requirement

A valid Canadian driver’s license (equivalent to BC Class 7, 5) or a license that enables you to legally drive in Canada, is required for initial attack, rappel, and parattack.  A driver’s license is not required to apply for a fire crew position; however a valid Canadian driver’s license (Class 7, 5) is preferred for all crews.

Preferred qualifications

Candidates must identify on their resume and application how they meet the preferred qualifications. Meeting all the preferred qualifications is not required, but applicants should highlight how they meet as many qualifications as they can. Generally, an applicant would be required to show strong examples in two or three of the preferred qualifications to be considered for an interview. 

Qualifications:

• Previous experience on a BCWS fire crew (dates, location and supervisor)
   
• Post secondary forestry or resource management education (in progress or completed). This includes Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board (CFAB) accredited degree programs and Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) recognized diploma programs.
  • For example “Completed Vancouver Island University Forest Resources Technology Diploma” or “In third year of University of British Columbia Forest Resource Management Degree”
     
• Other Resource Management education as recognized by the ABCFP, such as Registered Forest Technologist, Natural Resource Professional, Accredited Timber Cruiser or Evaluator, Silviculture Accredited Surveyor, or a Transferring Professional (in progress or completed)
  • For example “Completed Thompson Rivers University Bachelor in Natural Resource Science degree” or “Currently in second year of University of Northern British Columbia Bachelor of Natural Resource Management program"

• High level of fitness or sports achievements. Demonstrate how experience is above and beyond fitness or sports achievements obtained by the average applicant.
  • For example, member of university athletic team, or other high-level athletic involvement or athletic pursuits
  • For example, awards for fitness or sport achievement
  • High school sports teams or university intramurals would not be considered a preferred qualification

• High level academic achievements. Demonstrate how the experience is above and beyond the level of academic achievements obtained by the average applicant.
  • For example,  full academic scholarship, major academic awards.
     
• Previous wildland fire fighting experience with a government agency
  • Describe date(s) and location(s)
     
• Previous contract crew wildland fire fighting experience
  • Describe company, dates, and number of days deployed
     
• Forestry work experience
  • For example, logging, planting, fall and burn, silviculture, layout, probing, etc.
  • Describe company, date(s), and location(s)
     
• Other resource-based work and experience
  • For example, includes oil and gas work, mining, and farming
  • Describe the scope, location(s), and date(s)
     
• Extensive outdoor or wildness experience
  • Paid experience might include guiding ski patrol or outfitting/guiding, guardianship or stewardship roles
  • Unpaid experience should demonstrate an extensive background in outdoor exploits, understanding the environment, and local cultures
    • Extensive experience on the land base through
      • Hunting and trapping
      • Fishing
      • Backcountry activities
      • Fire keeping or fire watching

• Junior fire crew training or employment
  • Taken in some B.C. high schools as part of an endorsed work experience program
     
• First aid requirement as mentioned above
   
• Valid British Columbia Forest Safety Council BC Faller Certification or ENFORM Oil & Gas Faller Certification
   
• Volunteer fire department experience
  • Describe number of years and relevant specific details, especially experience with wildfires
  • NFPA training alone would not be considered a preferred qualification
     
• Mechanical aptitude or trades experience
  • For example, experience or training with small engine repairs

Interview process

Applicants who successfully pass the screening phase will be invited to an interview. The BC Wildfire Service will be holding virtual interviews for the 2024 recruiting cycle.

The interview consist of behavioral competencies, situational and technical questions related to firefighting in B.C. 

New Recruit Boot Camp (NRBC) and WFX-Fit Test

Based on the crew member vacancy, top scoring applicants from the interviews will be invited to New Recruit Boot Camp (NRBC). There are multiple six to eight day camps offered in Merritt and Prince George B.C. in the spring. They range from 6-8 days and begin mid-April, and run to mid-May, in Merritt and Prince George, B.C.Prior to arriving at NRBC, you will be given a series of online courses to be completed.

Candidates must meet the pre-employment fitness standard, the WFX-Fit test. Unsuccessful candidates will not be allowed to continue with NRBC. Please review the WFX-Fit test overview linked above to ensure your understanding of the test, requirements, and programs available.

In order to participate in the WFX-Fit test, candidates must bring a completed Physician Release Form (PDF, 835KB) and present it to the fit test appraiser. 

At NRBC the following courses are taught:

• Wildfire Service Overview
• Fundamentals of Firefighting
• Portable Pumps and Water Deliver Systems
• Burning Off and Backfiring
• Heavy Equipment
• Chainsaw Operations
• Wilderness Survival
• Human Factors
• Fireline Communications
• Helicopter Safety
• Fire Weather
• Incident Command System
• Safety and Wildfire Entrapment
• Navigation

After NRBC, successful candidates will be offered a position on one of the fire crews in the province. A first-year firefighter can expect to work until the end of October with the chance of being offered an extension depending on the fire conditions and activity.

Timeline

The recruiting process is long. The BC Wildfire Service will keep candidates informed of their status during vis email and phone, it is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their contact information is correct. If an applicant is no longer being considered, the BC Wildfire Service will advise the applicant directly as soon as possible.

General timeline for the recruiting process:

• Early October – online applications open
• April 1 – application deadline
• October to April – interviews  
• January to April – invitations to New Recruit Boot Camp
• March to Mid-May – New Recruit Boot Camp sessions
• March to Mid-May – job offers

Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is a service available to Indigenous applicants (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) seeking to work in the BC Public Service.

Indigenous applicants interested in BC Public Service positions, including temporary assignments, auxiliary appointments, permanent part-time, permanent full-time, and expression of interest can receive high level advice and guidance on the hiring system and process.

Indigenous applicants can find more information about how to access the Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/careers-myhr/job-seekers/indigenous-applicant-advisory-service

Q: Is the online application the only way to apply?

A: Yes, paper or faxed copies will not be accepted.

Q: How do I know if my first aid ticket is accepted in B.C.?

A: The first aid tickets accepted in the British Columbia workplace can be found on the WorkSafe BC website. More information on obtaining a First Aid Equivalency certificate can also be found by contacting an approved training provider as listed on the WorkSafe BC First Aid Training Providers webpage. Out of jurisdiction certificate holder may go through a jurisprudence process to have their certificate recognized in BC.

Q: What if I cannot find my first aid ticket on the WorkSafeBC site?

A: It is likely that your ticket is not recognized by WorkSafeBC. To be employed by the BC Wildfire Service you must have a valid first aid ticket and transportation endorsement (or Level 3 first aid) which are recognized by WorkSafeBC. The BC Wildfire Service cannot consider your application without a valid first aid ticket(s). You will be asked to show proof of acceptable first aid or proof of enrollment in a recognized first aid course at the interview. Candidates must have successfully completed the first aid course prior to attendance at boot camp.

Q: How can I get feedback on my application or interview?

A: Due to the large volume of applications we are unable to provide individual feedback for applications. A candidate must clearly detail in their resume and cover letter any preferred qualifications they meet.

The interview panel may be able to provide general feedback from your interview when it is conducted but will not be able to tell you how well you did in relation to other interviewees.

Q: How can I update my contact information?

A: Please refer to the instructions on the application site to update your contact information.

Q: How many applications do you receive and how many jobs are there?

A: On average the BC Wildfire Service receives 1,000 to 1,800 applications each year. The number of jobs changes from year to year, ranging from 100 for a low year to over 350.

Q: Do I get to choose where I want to work?

A: Recruitment and crew allocation is a provincial process and applicants should expect to be placed on a fire crew anywhere in the province when they apply. An applicant’s preferred work location is considered but there are often limited openings. Individuals can be asked to go another location or crew type that may not be their preference.

Q: Will accommodations be provided for me?

A: In most cases, staff are responsible for finding their own accommodations near their work locations; local and returning staff and crew members may be able to assist you in finding accommodations. In a few locations staff housing is provided as an option either at no fee or a nominal cost. These locations include: Alexis Creek (Unit Crew), Chetwynd (Initial Attack), Fort Nelson (Initial Attack), and Salmon Arm (Rapattack).

Q. How do I apply for Parattack?

A. Parattack applicants must have at least one season of wildland fire fighting experience to be considered. Apply by emailing your cover letter and resume to BCWS.PGFCParattackRecruiting@gov.bc.ca. We recommend that you also apply on the Fire Crew Member application, but this is not mandatory. On the application, be sure to select ‘yes’ to the question asking if you are also applying to Parattack. Further questions can be directed to the Parattack Recruiting email.