Important

  • Application deadline moved up to April 14th, 2017.
  • There is a new online application form that must be filled out in addition to sending your resume and cover letter by email (see bottom of page).

NSR accepts applications during the year, holds interviews in the early summer and bring on new members starting in September. Please read through this section thoroughly and feel free to email any questions to recruitment@northshorerescue.com. You will find the complete application instructions at the bottom of this page.

If you are interested in becoming a member first, please read through the following job description and Q&A to get an idea of what applying to join NSR means and to see if you can make the commitment. Once you have done this, you’ll find the application form at the bottom of this page. Application deadline is June 1 each year for the September start date.

Member-In-Training Summary

  • 2 year program
  • High attendance expectations (80-100% of all training and general call-outs)
  • Average of 300 hours per year
  • High special event attendance expectations
  • Must complete the JIBC Ground Search and Rescue certification (integrated into the 2 year program)
  • Must complete a wilderness first aid course (provided the team)
  • Must complete extra training as required to develop skills
  • Must be able and willing to purchase required equipment to function as a SAR volunteer

The ideal candidate will posses all or most of the following criteria (more criteria are considered):

  • High level of physical fitness (eg. Grouse Grind in less than an hour, able to carry a backpack that weighs 20-50 pounds in uneven terrain over long distances, able to lift weights that exceed 50 pounds)
  • High level of North Shore trail knowledge (experience with Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour areas)
  • Experience hiking, snow-shoeing, touring
  • Experience climbing, mountaineering, ski mountaineering
  • Experience camping
  • Avalanche Safety Training (AST 1)
  • Basic First Aid or CPR
  • Owns most of the following outdoor equipment in good repair (eg. Gortex clothing, 60-70 L backpack, hiking boots, mountaineering boots, crampons, ice-axe, harness, transceiver, probe, shovel, helmet etc.)
  • Employed or self-sufficient, with employer approval (they should understand the commitment and be all right with you potentially being late/missing work due to a task).
  • Able to commit 5 years minimum to the team
  • Lives on or near the North Shore (North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Vancouver, Lions Bay)
  • is Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident (required)
  • Owns a reliable car with a class 5 license
  • Owns a cellphone (required)
Special skills and unique experience will be considered as well in making selection decisions. These may be experience in the emergency services, guiding background, ski patrol, fire fighting, and more. Also note that NSR will provide avalanche safety gear and other personal protective equipment to successful applicants. If selected for an interview the candidate must be available over the summer (June – Sept) for a trial period which will include assisting with Grouse Grind patrols and equipment/facilities maintenance.