The Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) program offers a unique and exciting opportunity to Albertan high school students ages 16 to 18.
This 7-week paid summer work experience exposes you to a wide variety of careers in forestry, wildfire, ecology, conservation and more!
Prerequisites
All applicants must be:
- 16 to 18 years of age as of July 1
- A full-time Albertan student enrolled in grade 10 -12 at the time of application (you can still apply if you are graduating in June)
- 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 5-day overnight training program, starting in the first week of July
- Prepared to live and work in the outdoors for 7 weeks. Many crews live and work in rural and semi remote locations throughout the summer.
Training and Certifications
All of our Crew Members begin the summer by taking part in a 5-day training period at the Hinton Training Centre. Our training consists of both in-class and field exercises to fully prepare the members for the summer ahead. Many crews take part in courses that provide certification.
Some of the training and certifications that members may take part in include:
| Brushsaw safety | Bushcraft |
| Conflict resolution and team building | Chainsaw safety (Second-Year Members) * |
| Hand tool safe use and maintenance | Incident command system 100 * |
| Leadership | Wildfire orientation |
| Hunters education * | First aid and CPR C * |
| ATV training * | Canoe skills * |
*Only certain crews will take part in these courses.
Check out an example of our Member Training schedule.
Projects
The JFR summers are planned and organized by our Crew Leaders and Sub Leaders! The three core elements of Stewardship, Leadership, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge are taken into consideration when planning a summer calendar. Our Crew Leaders network with professionals in local organizations, industry, and different government branches to put together a summer full of educational, meaningful and challenging projects.
The summer is full of work projects where members gain experience. We aim for a 70% work projects and 30% educational projects split.
Work Project Examples | Education Project Examples
| Community and legacy projects | Canoe certification |
| FireSmart | Fish hatchery tour |
| Habitat and ecosystem restoration | First Aid and CPR C |
| Invasive species removal | Helicopter ride |
| Seed collection | Lumber mill and cut block tour |
| Trail building and maintenance | Radio Operators Certificate (ROC-A) |
| Tree planting | Traditional Ecological Knowledge |
| Wildfire pump lab | Wildfire orientation and lookout tower education |
Each Forest Area has unique opportunities and no summer is quite like the last! No matter where you are stationed, you are bound to have a memorable summer.
Learn more about each
Compensation and Benefits
- All first year Crew Members are paid $15/hr and second years are paid $16/hr.
- Meals and accommodations are covered all summer.
- You can earn up to 10 work experience credits.
- You *may* have the opportunity to some of the following certificates: ATV* certificate, Chainsaw (second years), Wilderness First Aid*, flat water canoe certificate*, PAL*, Radio Operators Certificate - Aeronautical*, and Mental health first aid*
Have questions about the JFR Crew Member position? Send us an email!
