EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
employment
-
Type 2 Guaranteed work for Experienced Wildland Fire Fighters, please apply from September to February 15th
-
Type 3 Wildland Fire Fighters (Experienced), please apply from January to April 15th
-
Wildfire Danger Tree Assessors, please apply from September to April.
-
Danger Tree Fallers, please apply from September to April.
- The BC Wildfire Service will not allow contractors to add personnel to their Type 2 roster after April 1 and for the Type 3 after July 1st.
If you are interested in working with the Apex Team please fill in the online application form.
COVID -19
In light of the rapidly evolving situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus, including the declaration from the World Health Organization that COVID-19 is now categorized as a global pandemic, Apex is following the direction of the BC PHO, along with the BC Forest Safety Council and recognizes the situation is fluid and we are continuing to monitor the most up-to-date guidance and information as provided by trusted public health authorities.
As of December 13 2021, The BCWS now requires ALL fireline contractors to supply FULLY vaccinated personnel for all of their contracts.
“As a responsible employer, the BC Provincial Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees. On November 1, 2021, the Deputy Minister to the Premier, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the BC Public Service announced mandatory COVID-19 vaccination within the BC Public Service.
HR Policy 25, issued under the BC Public Service Act, requires that as of December 13, 2021 all contractor and subcontractor personnel entering a staff-only area of an indoor BC government workplace while BC government employees are present (a “BC government workplace”), for provision of services under a government contract, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved for use in Canada. A staff-only area is an area that is not intended for access by the public or clients receiving government services.
This requirement is part of the BC government’s occupational health and safety plan and is intended to ensure that BC government workplaces are kept safe and that employees and other personnel who work in them are protected.”
Health and safety is always a top priority for Apex. Our duty of care is to ensure we are taking the necessary precautions to help lower the risk for our, employees and their families. We appreciate the continued cooperation and understanding in working together to ensure safety in our community.
Apex is one of the longest established firefighting contractors in the Nelson area and British Columbia. We take pride in being a reputable company within the diverse sectors of the forest industry. We are also BASE Safe Certified by the BC Forest Safety Council.
We are qualified to train, outfit, and get you ready for another action-packed fire season.
Opportunities to travel BC, meet new people and fly in helicopters all while you are being paid. Firefighting can lead to exciting new opportunities and build on your work experience.
If you are interested in a great summer job as an Apex forest firefighter and potentially other forestry related work then please apply online.
Qualities we are looking for
Apex Forest & Wildfire Services Ltd strive for high standards and high expectations. We are looking for employees 19 years older who want to share these values and work ethic.
You must be someone who is tolerant of others, communicate effectively, and demonstrate professionalism at all times. Sometimes you are traveling, camping, and working with the same fire crew for weeks. Therefore people must be adaptable to personality differences and be able to resolve potential conflicts in appropriate manners.
We are looking for firefighters who are accountable, organized, dependable, and strong team players. They need to be in good physical condition.
Apex requires our firefighters to be available to work on short notice as well as be able to commit to going away to work for 3 to 21 days at a time. Sometimes your stay is in BC Wildfire Service fire camps, sometimes hotels or tents, and sometimes you get to drive home every night. And yes, sometimes you ride in a helicopter to & from the fire. We all love those days!!!
A usual fire line workday is 12 hours – time and a half is paid after 8 hours. Often you are getting part of your day paid for in travel time. Type 3 Standby days are generally 12 hour days & Type 2 Availability days are generally 8 hr. days.
Type 3: Due to the uncertain nature of firefighting, it is not recommended to relocate for the “Type 3” Fire Fighting contract. It is preferred you live within 2 hours of Nelson or have local contacts you can stay with.
Hiring Process & Required Certifications for Type 2 & Type 3
Check list for Type 2 Wildland Fire Fighter – Guaranteed work
-
19 years or older
-
Complete an Online Application and attach all valid certifications.
-
You will receive an auto response email
-
Within a week successful applicants will receive a phone call to set up a personal interview.
Type 2 Qualifications check list:
Proof of Wildland fire fighting experience
- Minimum of 35 days for a Crew members
- Minimum of 72 days for the Crew Leaders
All Type 2 members are required to have the following:
- 2 References
- Mandatory OFA 1 + TE – best practice is OFA 3
- Full S100 cert & S185
- WHMIS 2015
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods
- Valid S100 refresher
- Valid drivers license & a current drivers abstract will be required.
- Par -Q form
Additional mandatory certifications – Apex is able to instruct these courses if required.
- Crew members must have ICS 100 S211 S212 S213
- Crew Leaders must have ICS 100 & 200 S211 S212 S213 S230 S235 S241
Fitness Test :
- Successful applicants are required to participate and pass in the WFX Fitness test – set up by the BCWS. (17:45 mins or better)
Priority is given to those applicants with the following certifications:
- Wildland DTA
- OFA 3
- Certified Faller
- PSO
Check list for Type 3 Wildland Fire Fighter – non guaranteed work
-
19 years or older. Some exceptions can be considered.
-
Complete an online application form.
-
You will receive an automated email acknowledged we have received your application.
Successful applicants will receive an email / or a follow up phone call to set up a time for an interview
After the interview we will email you the required equipment list for you to review. You will not need any of these items before the Apex training dates.
The full S-100 & S-185 and WHMIS 2015 courses are the minimum training requirements mandatory for all firefighters in BC.
- Apex is fully qualified to instruct these courses
- They are scheduled in April & May. Courses
If you have the S100 / S185 certifications already please email us a digital copy
Reminder: The S100 requires a refresher ticket every year. www.S100a.com
A 5 person fire crew is comprised of the follow:
- 1 Wildfire Danger Tree Assessor
- 1 Power Saw Operator
- 2 Accepted First aid OFA 1 + TE or OFA 3
- 1 Crew Leader
- 2 Experience fire fighter (60 hrs.)
Applicants must also be willing to :
- Attend & Pass the annual Fitness test – moderate capacity fitness test
- Attend the annual mandatory Job Orientation
- Pack personal and overnight equipment
- Picture ID
- Drivers abstract http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Pages/Your-driving-record.aspx
Due to the uncertain nature of firefighting, it is not recommended to relocate for the “Type 3” Fire Fighting contract. It is preferred you live within 2 hours of Nelson or have local contacts you can stay with.
Firefighting FAQs
Apex is looking for individuals who are self-motivated, physically fit, team orientated and flexible.
We require our employees to be organized, punctual, and good with communications skills.
Timeline for Applications
- Type 2; Experienced / BCWS Fire Fighters, Crew Leaders and DTF’S : September to February 15th
- Type 3; Wildfire Fire Fighters with Experience or no Experience: January to April 15th
- Wildfire Danger Tree Assessor (DTA’s) & Certified Faller (DTF’s): September – April 15
Job Orientation: We require potential employees to attend a job orientation. This is a great day for us to meet, for you to ask questions and for us go over every aspect of the job & our company. We discuss how we pay, explain standby, fire wages, travel, equipment, marshaling points, safety policies etc.
Fitness test: Firefighting is a physical job which requires a high level of physical fitness.
- Type 3: Moderate capacity fitness test. You must walk 3.2 km with a 25-pound backpack in 30 minutes or less.
- Type 2: WFX Fit test (17:45 mins or less)
Dates: The job orientation and fitness test generally happen on the same day.
- Type 3: scheduled in April and May.
- Type 2: scheduled in May
Each Type 2 Fire Fighting Contract is a Guaranteed work contract for an 8-person crew.
Apex has secured 2 – separate Type 2 contracts.
We are rated FIRST & SECOND out of four contractors in the South East Fire Center.
The crew will be on Availability (Standby) or on a fire from the 3rd week in May until the last week in Aug unless there is the need for a contract extension.
The contract all fire contractors have is “as, if & when required” so typically contractors generally cannot guarantee anyone a fire fighting job. Apex has had more than 65 employees some fire seasons. On average we employ 35 -45 people. Firefighting is a seasonal job where potential workers come and go and therefore we are always requiring new employees.
Due to the uncertain nature of firefighting, it is not recommended to relocate for the “Type 3” Fire Fighting contract. It is preferred you live within 2 hours of Nelson or have local contacts you can stay with.
Type 3 Contract
First aid certification is not a prerequisite, however for a 5 person crew the contract requires 2 crew members must have OFA level 1 along with Transportation Endorsement, OFA level 3, or a WorkSafeBC recognized equivalent.
If you have the approved first aid training you will improve your chance of employment, plus you will be compensated with an increase in pay for every hour of every day worked on the fireline.
Type 2 Contract
Each crew member must have OFA 1 plus TE and two crew members must have OFA 3 per contract.
Accepted first aid:
1. OFA Level 1 & Transportation endorsement (both are required) or WorkSafe BC equivalent
2. OFA Level 3 or WorkSafeBC equivalent
No other certifications will qualify for the BC Wildfire Service contract.
Please see the link below for WorkSafeBC equivalencies for OFA1, OFA 3, and Transportation Endorsement.
Apex believes in compensating every firefighter a wage increase on the fire line for additional qualified certifications. Extra training is an asset to our company and we believe each employee deserves to be compensated for providing extra training.
Our company is fully qualified to teach many different fire courses and we often do this during standby or (preseason for our returning employees). Of course, this only happens when time permits.
We also have extra training incentives for Apex S100 and S185 fire courses. Please CONTACT US
Firefighting
Ryan Flett, a Nelson BC based photographer, cinematographer, and film maker who worked several seasons as a fire fighter for Apex Forest & Wildfire Services Ltd. Ryan captured these amazing shots throughout the 2009 fires season in the Cariboo.