Open Competitions

Any candidate not currently employed in the New Brunswick Public Service will need to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or a valid medical certificate exempting them from the vaccine.

Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development

Wildland Fire Fighter

Bathurst, Miramichi, Fredericton, Edmundston

The Department of Natural Resource and Energy Development (DNRED) is seeking individuals to become members of the provincial wildfire program. Postings for these positions will be located in Bathurst, Miramichi, Fredericton and Edmundston.

Please indicate your choice of posting(s) on your cover letter in order of priority if you are applying for more than one location.

Duties will include the suppression of wild fires by handling water pumps, carrying and hauling hose, digging fire line and extinguishing flames. Wildland fire fighters are often supervised by a squad boss, department staff or a forestry technician at the fire site. Along with fighting fires, successful candidates will be involved in training exercises and undertaking non-fire project work for departmental programs. Fire crews will be required to travel to other parts of New Brunswick and other provinces fighting wildfires.

Requirements

A Candidate must:

• possess a valid driver's license for operating vehicles in the Province of New Brunswick
• be eligible to work in Canada
• be a student in the current academic year and be attending a post-secondary institution in the fall
• successfully complete the required physical fitness testing to be eligible for the New Brunswick Fire Crew Program
• be prepared to work extended hours and shift work, carry out physically demanding tasks and work outside in inclement weather on all types of terrain
• travel within and outside of the province

Qualifications

Applicants must clearly demonstrate the following qualifications on their application / resume:

• be currently in the process of completing post-secondary education and training in a Resource related discipline such as forestry, resource management, earth sciences, etc.
• experience working in a team environment

Training

Required wildland fire fighting training will be provided, however, experience and certification of training received for wildland fire fighting from other agencies will be considered on a case by case basis. References will be required.

Physical Fitness Requirements

All applicants will be required to successfully complete physical fitness testing. The province will administer Canadian Physical Performance Exchange Standard for Type 1 Wildland Fire Fighters (WFX-FIT). Applicants must be familiar with the physical fitness requirements for this position. Applicants must complete the new PARQ+ form prior to taking the physical fitness test. If a candidate arrives at testing, and their blood pressure is measured to be over 160/90 mmHg, the candidate will not be able to participate in the physical fitness testing.

The Department of Natural Resource and Energy Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary/Weeks of Work:

New Applicant: Full wage is $14.35 per hour/16 weeks - April 25th 2022 to August 12th 2022

Returning Applicant: Full wage is $15.90 per hour/16 weeks - April 25th 2022 to August 12th 2022

(Start date may be negotiable if required)

Deadline for submission of resumes and applications is Friday, January 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m

Mail your resumes to:

Fire Crew
Natural Resources and Energy Development
1100 Champlain Street
Dieppe NB E1A 8L8
Attention: Dan Michaud

You can also send your resume via email to: dan.michaud@gnb.ca

Please indicate your choice of posting(s) on your cover letter in order of priority if you are applying for more than one location.

Canadian Physical Performance Exchange Standard for Type 1 Wildland Fire Fighters (WFX-FIT)

There are five separate components to the WFX-FIT: a screening component and four (4) performance components.

The components must be completed in the following order:

1. Pre-Participation Screening (PAR-Q+, ePARmed-X+ (if required), Blood Pressure, Informed Consent) and Photo Identification
2. Carry Medium Pump on Back
3. Hand Carry Medium Pump
4. Hose Pack Lift
5. Charged Hose Advance

WFX-FIT is completed as a timed circuit. All components must be tested together.

WFX-FIT Circuit

Throughout the WFX-FIT circuit, the participant wears work-out clothing, running shoes or work boots (if agency requirement) and a weighted belt which encumbers the participant with the weight of normal wildland fire line work wear.

1. The timed circuit involves 4 separate components performed in a continuous sequence over 40 m (131.2 ft) laps with cone markers at each 20 m (65.6 ft) end line.
2. Timing of the circuit begins when the participant crosses the starting line while carrying the simulation pump (28.5 kg / 62.7 lb) from a 1m (3.3 ft) platform on their back. For safety purposes, the WFX-FIT Appraiser assists with the lifting and lowering of the medium pump onto and off the participant's back. The simulation medium pump is carried on the back for a total of 160 m (524.9 ft) (4 laps over the 40 m; 131.2 m course) traversing a ramp (35 degree pitch, 1.22 m; 4 ft high) every 20 m (65.6 ft), then the simulation medium pump is returned to the platform.
3. Next, the participant picks up the simulation medium pump from the platform in his/her hands and carries it for 80 m (262.4 ft) (2 laps of the 40 m; 131.2 ft course) without traversing the ramp.
4. The participant then places the simulation medium pump back onto the platform, picks up the WFX-FIT hose pack containing 4 lengths of hose (25kg; 55lb) from the ground and hoists it onto his/her back, then carries the hose pack 1 km (3281 ft) (25 laps of the 40 m; 131.2 ft course) traversing the ramp every 20 m (65.6 ft).
5. In the final component of the circuit, the participant drags a weighted sled 80 m (262.4 ft) (2 laps of the 40 m; 131.2 ft course) on level ground to simulate advancing a charged hose (pull force required to move sled = 18.5 kg; 40.7 lb). Turn lines are also marked 3 m (10 ft) beyond the end line so the participant knows when the sled has crossed the end line without looking behind.