Wildfire and Forestry Research

Position: Wildfire and Forestry Research Assistant
Organization: CPAWS Northern Alberta
Location: Edmonton or remote, Alberta

Position Overview:

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Northern Alberta chapter is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to support a national initiative of CPAWS chapters examining the complex relationship between wildfire, forestry practices, and climate change. Working closely with a team of CPAWS staff from chapters across Canada, the intern will lead the development of a comprehensive literature review focused on the intersection of wildfire and forestry, summary of key findings, and recommendations for land management to be used in public communications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct an in-depth review of academic and grey literature related to wildfire, forestry practices, and their respective and combined impacts on climate change.
• Synthesize findings on how wildfire and forestry independently influence climate systems and how their interactions exacerbate climate change.
• Identify knowledge gaps and emerging research relevant to climate policy, conservation strategies, and ecosystem resilience.
• Collaborate with CPAWS team members to develop clear, evidence-based summaries and recommendations for use in public communications and advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with CPAWS team members to develop public communications assets to communicate findings of the research.
• Participate in regular project meetings, providing updates and integrating feedback from a cross-chapter working group.

Qualifications:

• Background in environmental science, forestry, ecology, climate studies, or a related field (post-secondary degree completed).
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience in public communications will be considered an asset.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Passion for conservation, climate action, and protecting Canada’s wilderness areas.

Eligibility Criteria:

The person hired must meet the eligibility criteria of the Science Horizons Internship Program:

• No more than 30 years of age at the start of the internship;  
• Graduated from a post-secondary program;  
• A Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or person who has been granted Refugee status in Canada;  
• Not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) during the internship; and, 
• Not currently working for hiring organization.   

The person hired would be an intern within the Clean Foundation’s Science Horizons Internship Program.

Additional information:

The Research Assistant will be an employee of CPAWS Northern Alberta and will report to CPAWS NAB’s Executive Director and Conservation Policy Analyst but will work with members of the Wildfire Constellation Working Group composed of staff from chapters across the country.

The CPAWS Northern Alberta office is located in Edmonton, AB. The position can be remote or hybrid. If based in Edmonton, the person would be expected to work in the CPAWS NAB office on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the rest of the team. If based in another city where a CPAWS office is located, there may be the possibility of working in person at the local CPAWS office.

Contract start date: ASAP or at the latest Monday November 1, 2025.

Contract end date: February 28, 2026

Compensation: $28/hour, 32 hours per week. CPAWS Northern Alberta works on a flexible 4-day work week, generally 8 hours per day Mon-Thurs, but other scheduling options can be discussed with the Executive Director.

Apply:
Apply by September 30, 2025 by sending a cover letter and resume as a single pdf entitled "Fire&ForestryRA_YourLastName" to infonab@cpaws.org .

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