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, including:• Hanna • Consort• Oyen • Red Deer River Area
Make your summer count—and build toward what’s next. Whether you’re launching your career or bringing established agricultural experience, this role puts you outdoors doing work that truly matters. You’ll gain hands-on, real-world skills in land stewardship, pest management, and public service while seeing the direct impact of your efforts across rural Alberta. Work alongside experienced professionals, take on meaningful responsibility, and build experience that can open doors to future roles in agriculture, environmental management, or municipal services from late spring through summer.
What You’ll Do
- Conduct weed inspections and weed/brush control (including chemical application)
- Support soil conservation efforts and agricultural pest surveys
- Communicate with producers and ratepayers to provide information and address concerns
- Track, analyze, and report weed control activities
- Maintain, repair, and deliver rental and spray equipment
- Deliver the Special Areas Safety Program and complete required reporting
What You Need:
- Post-secondary education (agriculture or farming-related programs preferred)
- Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s Licence
- Boater’s Licence (or willingness to obtain one for Red Deer River positions)
- Physically able to perform fieldwork, including lifting/carrying 50 lb backpack sprayers
- Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with equipment
- Strong communication skills, professionalism, and good judgement
Preference to candidates possessing:
- Pesticide Applicator’s Licence (Ag / Industrial / Landscape
- Alberta Class 3 Driver’s Licence with Air Endorsement
- Experience operating spray trucks, backpack sprayers, and ASB equipment
Important Considerations for Applicants
- Successful candidates who hold a valid AB Agricultural-Industrial Pesticide Applicator Certificate will be offered a higher rate of pay (Agricultural Officer I - $30.7185/hr - $35.4467/hr).
- 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.
- These positions will be working outside completing fieldwork in rural-remote areas
- These are designated safety sensitive positions and mandatory pre-employment drug testing will be required on all newly hired employees.
Term Seasonal Summer Agriculture Service Board 2026 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: 631002
CLOSING DATE: Noon February 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
