CAC Assistant Avalanche Technician Job Posting (South Rockies)

Job Summary:
The Assistant Avalanche Field Technician provides support for avalanche forecasts in the South Rockies of Alberta & British Columbia, which are produced by the Canadian Avalanche Centre. The assistant technician works under the supervision of an Avalanche Field Technician and reports to the CAC Public Avalanche Warning Service Manager. The Assistant Avalanche Field Technician is capable of travelling safely and efficiently in backcountry avalanche terrain. The assistant technician collects weather, snowpack, and avalanche activity information relevant to public avalanche forecasting. The primary forecast areas are the Lizard Range, Elk Valley & Crowsnest Pass. Travel to and gathering information in other regions may be required.

Essential Job Functions:
• Participate in trips in mountainous avalanche terrain in compliance with the CAC Avalanche Safety Plan.
• Collect, record, and submit to the CAC weather, snowpack, and avalanche occurrence data at recognized industry standards (e.g. Canadian Avalanche Association Observation Guidelines and Recording Standards for Weather, Snowpack, and Avalanches, etc.).
• Participate in outreach to and public relations with local backcountry users.

Qualifications
Required:
Education:
• CAA Industry Training Program Avalanche Operations Level 1 certification or equivalent.
Experience:
• Two winters experience travelling in avalanche terrain.
Desired:
Education:
• Association of Canadian Mountain Guides Assistant Ski Guide certification, or equivalent training and experience.
• CAA Industry Training Program Introduction to Weather Skills for Avalanche Workers course, or equivalent training or experience.
Experience:
• Professional experience in avalanche related activities.
Other:
• Familiarity with the Lizard Range, Elk Valley & Crowsnest Pass regions.
• This offer is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents legally entitled to work in Canada.

Assets or Special Abilities:
Required:
Technical Skills:
• Ability to travel safely in avalanche terrain in adverse winter weather conditions using skis and snowmobile or other over‐snow vehicles.
• Able to effectively transfer technical information to other professionals by verbal and written means.
• Able to effectively communicate with the public verbally, by written means, and online e.g.: online forums, blogs, etc.
Personal Abilities:
• Self‐motivated.
Other:
• Successful candidate will be required to provide a criminal record check.
• Driver’s license valid for travel in Canada.
Desired:
• Extensive experience using snowmobiles in mountain terrain.
• Knowledge of computer and information technology systems:
o Data management applications, e.g.: database, spreadsheet, etc.
o Web applications.
• Field experience in various mountain ranges across western Canada.
• Experience installing, maintaining, and using remote weather sensing equipment.
• Teaching, public speaking, and media experience.
• Preference given to qualified applicants currently residing within the forecast region.

Terms of Employment
Location:
• This position is based in or near Fernie, British Columbia.
• Field work will take place in various locations, primarily in an around the South
Rockies Forecast Region.
• Travel to and gathering information in other regions may be required.
Duration and Schedule:
• This is a part‐time seasonal position from approximately December 01, 2011 – April 15, 2012.
• Approximately 13 days per month; 8 to 10 hours per day.
• The work schedule may be irregular. Days of work will vary depending on road, backcountry travel, weather, snowpack, and avalanche conditions.
• Extended shift lengths, compressed work schedules, and other non‐standard employment options may be available upon request.

Application Process
Deadline for applications is August 31.
Send applications electronically, by fax, by courier, or by mail to:
Ilya Storm
Forecast Coordinator, Public Avalanche Warning Services
Canadian Avalanche Centre
110 Mackenzie Avenue, Box 2759
Revelstoke BC V0E 2S0
Fax: 866‐366‐2094
Email: istorm@avalanche.ca (Please put Field Tech Competition in subject line.)
Applications should include:
• Full contact details for the applicant including:
o Mailing and physical street address.
o Phone number.
o Email address.
• A resume addressing the Qualifications and Assets or Special Abilities
• A list that describes previous experience related to the Job Summary and Essential Job
Functions
o PLEASE INCLUDE a list of previous employers (avalanche and/or nonavalanche related jobs) with full contact information for each employer.
• References:
o Letters from three references are required, at least one of which must be engaged in or fully familiar with avalanche work. Letters should be sent directly to Ilya Storm (contact details above).
o Only two references are required if one of the references is a Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association.
• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this job and why you feel you would be a good candidate.
o Please include a statement regarding your work status in Canada (for example citizen, permanent resident, or work visa).
Selection Process
• The CAC will send an email confirming receipt of your application.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.
• Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted after the confirmation email.
• Interviews will be held by phone, internet conference, or in person between September 3 and 14.
• The CAC will contact references and previous employers listed in your application.
• The CAC reserves the right to contact other people, employers, organizations, etc. not listed in the application but to which the candidate makes reference in any written orverbal communication with the CAC in relation to this competition.

Overview of Canadian Avalanche Centre Operations
The Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is a non‐government, not‐for‐profit corporation that serves as Canada’s national public avalanche safety organization by:
1. Coordinating public avalanche safety programming;
2. Providing public avalanche safety warnings;
3. Delivering public avalanche awareness and education;
4. Providing avalanche training for non‐professional winter recreation;
5. Serving as point of contact for public, private and government avalanche information;
6. Encouraging avalanche research, and
7. Carrying out such complementary purposes as are not inconsistent with these
objects.

The CAC is staffed with highly skilled and dedicated employees who achieve their individual successes by working as a team to exceed expectations as they deliver programs and services for the public, CAC members, a wide variety of private, public and nongovernment organizations, and individuals involved in public avalanche safety operations in Canada and around the world.
At times, the CAC partners with other organizations to produce public avalanche information in specific regions.