Who We Are, Where We Are and What We Do?
The Special Areas Board is a unique form of rural government located in southeastern Alberta. Established through the Special Areas Act in 1938, we provide government services and public land management to residents and businesses over 5 million acres.
At Special Areas, we deliver municipal services residents depend on, from grading roads to potable water to emergency and enforcement. We manage over 2.5 million acres of public lands, including both crown and municipal tax recovery lands. We support our producers through the administration of community pastures, and lease public lands for grazing and cultivation. We work with partners in the region to support economic development and rural stabilization, and we help visitors reconnect with the land and sky in our recreation areas and campgrounds.
Where will You Work: Special Areas 2, 3, and 4 pastures including:
- Bullpound
- Sounding Creek
- Remount Make your summer count—and build hands-on experience as a Community Pasture Assistant Rider. Whether you’re starting your career or bringing agricultural experience, this role places you in the field supporting the day-to-day management of community pastures. You’ll gain practical experience in pasture inspection, livestock monitoring, fence and water system checks and range stewardship while contributing to sustainable grazing practices. Working alongside experienced pasture staff, you’ll take on meaningful responsibility and gain valuable experience that supports future opportunities in agriculture, rangeland management, or municipal and environmental services from late spring through fall.
What You’ll Do
- Assisting the Community Pasture Supervisor with admitting, checking, treating, moving, sorting, recording, and exiting cattle from the pasture
- Miscellaneous maintenance and repair work on buildings, fences, water line installation/repair and corrals
- Operate machinery and power equipment used in the operation of agricultural duties
- Responsible for adhering to the Special Areas Board Health and Safety Program and all applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation.
- Other related duties as required
What You Need:
- Previous experience handling livestock under community pasture range conditions is an asset
- Successful assistant pasture riders must supply their own horses and tack
- Responsibility of working unsupervised in remote locations
- Ability to communicate effectively using courtesy, tact and discretion and use of good judgement
- Physical capabilities to perform job duties and lift a minimum of 50 lbs
- Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s Licence
Important Considerations for Applicants
- We value diverse experience and are committed to training the right candidate. If you have relevant skills and a strong commitment to public service, we encourage you to apply.
- This position will be working outside completing fieldwork in rural-remote areas throughout Special Areas 2, 3 & 4
- Housing accommodation may be supplied
- Overtime and/or weekend work may be expected as a part of this role
- These are designated safety sensitive positions and mandatory pre-employment drug testing will be required on all newly hired employees.
Term Seasonal Community Pasture Assistant Riders2026 Positions
- Hourly Rates starting at $24.8422 - $28.4567 depending upon relevant education, skills and experience
- In addition to the hourly rate of pay, earnings include
- * 5.2 percent of regular wage earnings as holiday pay and * 6 percent of regular wage earnings as annual vacation pay
- Compensation based on a 40-hour week - Overtime may be required
Application Questions? • Human Resources – 403-854-5604
COMPETITION NO: 641000
CLOSING DATE: March 6, 2026
Please submit your resume, including a contact email address, quote the competition number, and specify your preferred work location(s), if applicable to:
Human Resource Services - Special Areas Board Box 820, Hanna, AB T0J 1P0
Email: SpecialAreasHR@specialareas.ab.ca
We thank all applicants; however, only those invited for an interview will be personally contacted.
