Happy Friday! We're enjoying the beautiful crocuses while they're still around. Do you have big plans for the long weekend? We'd love to hear about them!

#FF (Follow Friday): Patch Pro, Hanna Learning Centre, Made in Alberta, Pure North Canada, Cactus Corridor Economic Development Corporation,

Happy Friday everyone! We just wanted to remind you - you can vote ONCE a day for the Stepping Stones Daycare contest! http://on.fb.me/107eFuu (Hint: Go to page 8!)

Timeline Photos
Vote to help the new @[196622170477638:274:Stepping Stones Daycare] win a playground! Tip: click through to slide 8 to find Stepping Stones and VOTE! http://on.fb.me/107eFuu

Stepping Stones Daycare is the very first and only daycare in the rural Special Areas of 5.1 million acres. After a lot of time and work, our building has arrived, and with tons of community support, our center is getting full of toys and supplies. Fundraising money has been put towards getting the inside ready for business, and along the way, our poor playground (or dirt lot) has been put on the back burner. Currently our "playground" is full of gravel, ruts, dirt and two play pieces for the children (not a very fun place right not). For our center to be licensed, we need a valid playground- and soon! Please vote for us, so our children do not have to play in the gravel and dirt!

Vote to help the new Stepping Stones Daycare win a playground! Tip: click through to slide 8 to find Stepping Stones and VOTE! http://on.fb.me/107eFuu

Stepping Stones Daycare is the very first and only daycare in the rural Special Areas of 5.1 million acres. After a lot of time and work, our building has arrived, and with tons of community support, our center is getting full of toys and supplies. Fundraising money has been put towards getting the inside ready for business, and along the way, our poor playground (or dirt lot) has been put on the back burner. Currently our "playground" is full of gravel, ruts, dirt and two play pieces for the children (not a very fun place right not). For our center to be licensed, we need a valid playground- and soon! Please vote for us, so our children do not have to play in the gravel and dirt!

Branch Administrator (Part Time)
Oyen, AB

This job post available from: April 14, 2013 until June 07, 2013

JOB TITLE: Branch Administrator (Part Time)

BRANCH: Oyen, AB

REPORTING TO: Branch Manager

Job Duties and Responsibilities Include:

Basic accounting (AR/AP) support
Reception duties (including greeting customers and directing calls)
Internal Customer Service with our Branch Personnel
Provide administrative support directly to branch managers
Other administrative duties as assigned
Job Requirements and Qualifications Include:

Computer Literacy
Positive attitude towards customer service
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products
Some accounting knowledge is an asset


We offer a competitive salary, benefits including health and dental coverage, personal days, and an employee stock option plan that allows employees to contribute to an RRSP or Non-RRSP account that will be invested in RMDI stock.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only candidates selected for an interview will be notified. We regret that we cannot accept phone calls regarding the status of an application.

#workWednesday

Job Closes May 31, 2013
Oyen, AB

Building Sales Representative
JOB SUMMARY:

Located in the Farm and Ranch Supply Store and reporting to the Store Manager, the Building Sales Representative 1 (BSR 1) is an inbound sales representative that educates, informs, quotes and sells building materials, residential framing packages, garages, decks and pre-fabricated structures to residential customers and contractors. Responsibilities include:

Act as primary point of contact for building sales leads including collection of sales lead information, entry of key details into database, and transition of project to other sales leads.
Answer general inquiries from residential customers and contractors seeking to purchase building materials, residential framing packages, garages, decks and pre-fabricated structures.
Develop material and pre-package supply (material, deck, garage, pre-fabricated structures) programs for local building contractors and maintain the ongoing customer relationship.
Assist customers in planning small projects as required including knowledge of local building codes effecting garage, deck and fence construction.
Follow up on quotes, close the sale and work closely with key contacts to ensure timely and accurate shipping and delivery of products to site.
Confirm and verify product stock and delivery.
As a member of the Trade Area Team, effectively contribute to meeting or exceeding sales targets while maintaining margins.
Responsibility for product program planning, staff training, and sales for building materials, framing packages, garages, decks and pre-fabricated structures.
Assist with merchandising and Trade Area sales as needed
RepresentUFAat local Trade Fairs to promoteUFAprograms.
Constantly strive to improve product knowledge through self-study, courses, on-the-job training and trade publications to assist in increasing product sales and customer satisfaction.
Promote One Customer, One UFA business strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Grade 12 with 1-2 years building product experience, preferably in sales.
Knowledge of building codes for the products being promoted (i.e. deck, garage, pre-fabricated structures).
Basic computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Valid Class 5 Driver’s License an asset.
Ability to read and estimate from blueprints an asset.
Agricultural experience an asset.
Self motivated, self starter with good organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Strong negotiation and sales skills with ability to build rapport and gain trust.
External Applications: To apply email your cover letter and resume to work@ufa.com and quote job number HR12-299 in the subject line.

Internal Applications: Please email your cover letter and resume to HUMAN RESOURCES and complete Form # HR-44 –
Application For In-House Position

#workWednesday

Yard Care in Hanna has summer employment opportunities! Call Chuck Webster 403.854.2119 for more information.

#workWednesday

MoneyGirl Inc. is currently accepting applications for the following:
MoneyGirl Inc is a small business located in Special Areas #3; providing complete grant writing and project management services within South East Alberta.

Administrative Assistant:
Casual, as needed Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:00pm.
Required Skills/Attributes:

Proficient in Microsoft Office program
Possess excellent written and communication skills
Adaptable to changing needs of a project.
Acute attention to grammatical detail
Confidentially is crucial.
Excellent Organization skills in juggling multiple projects at one time.
Strong Time management skills are essential.
Applications may be forwarded to moneygirl@netago.ca
Or more information may be obtained at 403-664-0255

#workWednesday

#TechTuesday! On Earth Day farmers around the world acknowledged Earth Day as one moment in time to share their stories. This video captures some of those moments. And still today, the conversation and sharing continues #FarmVoices #ReasonsRuralRocks

The #FarmVoices Story
http://farmon.com/farmvoices On Earth Day, April 22nd, 2013, hundreds of farmers from all around the world came together to share their stories through pictu...

Thanks to Homespun Webs for our #TechTuesday video, The Overview Effect: The experience of seeing firsthand the reality of the Earth in space, which is immediately understood to be a tiny, fragile ball of life, hanging in the void, shielded and nourished by a paper-thin atmosphere. From space, the astronauts tell us national boundaries vanish, the conflicts that divide people become less important, and the need to create a planetary society with the united will to protect this "pale blue dot" becomes both obvious and imperative.

The Overview Effect
'Overview' is a short film that explores this phenomenon through interviews with five astronauts who have experienced the Overview Effect. The film also feat...

Come out to the Oyen Super 8 on May 22nd 11:45am - 1pm and see what Community Futures Meridian can do for your business!

Symphony in the Prairies, anyone? Thanks Flint Hills Prairie!

Flint Hills Region's Photos
Symphony on the Prairie

Jason Lindsey

Happy Mother's Day from Return to Rural!

Timeline Photos
This weekend, as we all take the time to celebrate the moms in our lives, FarmOn is sending an extra special salute out to all of the farming mamas integral to the operation of family operations throughout the world. It takes a very special person, whose spirit of nurturing and caring is mixed with the resilient fortitude and steadfast drive necessary to help the farm family go round! So as you celebrate your mother over a beautiful meal, just remember that behind that beautiful bounty, there is most likely a hardworking farm mom keeping things running with the precision of an army general! God bless her.

The Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program's (CAAP) objective is to facilitate the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector’s ability to seize opportunities, to respond to new and emerging issues, and to pathfind and pilot solutions to new and ongoing issues in order to help it adapt and remain competitive.

UPDATE: May 8, 2013 - The Agriculture and Food Council (AFC) is now calling for letters of intent (LOIs) for CAAP funding that has recently become available.

Letters of Intent Deadline May 16, 2013 at Noon MST

http://bit.ly/12jmtsw

CAAP Funding
www.agfoodcouncil.com
The Agriculture and Food Council is managing Alberta’s $21.9-million share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s five-year, $163-million Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP).

"The Canadian Badlands tourism region of southeastern Alberta has been selected as the location for a new luxury eco lodge that will be a first-of-its-kind in Canada.

The sustainable, high-end, low impact lodge will be built near the former settlement of Steveville in Special Area #2 and adjacent to Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in the world..."

http://bit.ly/16jY7Dn

New luxury eco lodge for Canadian Badlands
www.calgaryherald.com
CALGARY — The Canadian Badlands tourism region of southeastern Alberta has been selected as the location for a new luxury eco lodge that will be a first-of-its-kind in Canada. The sustainable, high-end, low impact lodge will be built near the former settlement of Steveville in Special Area #2…

Do you have job postings in and around the Special Areas? Send them to infosamda@gmail.com and we'll Tweet/Post them FREE of charge on #WorkWednesday!

Closing Date: May 10th!

Village of Empress
Municipal Office Assistant
The village of Empress requires a temporary P/T maternity leave position at the Village office (approx. 28 hours/week).
Duties (include but not limited to)
• Collection and receipt of utilities and taxes
• Accounts payable/receiveable
• Customer Service
• Cash Collections
• Maintain filing systems
• Preparation of reports, letters, and memos
Qualifications
• Computer experience
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Successful candidate must be bonded and a criminal record check will be required.
Salary will be determined by experience
Closing Date: May 10, 2013
Forward Resumes to:
Village of Empress, c/o CAO
Box 159, Empress, AB T0J 1E0

Fax: 403.565.2010
Phone: 403.565.3938
Email address available upon request
Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted

#workWednesday

Vortax Construction, Ltd. of Acadia Valley, Alberta is recruiting for a F/T Class 1 Driver starting immediately.

Responsibilities (may include but not limited to)
• Hauling gravel products
• Transporting Heavy Equipment with Jeep and lowboy
• Loading and unloading equipment
Qualifications (preferred)
• Class 1 License
• LSD/Map knowledge
• Operating Equipment
• Current Safety Tickets
• Drivers abstract
• Maintenance of truck and trailer
Compensation
Salary: Negotiable (depending on experience)
Benefits: Health Plan

Please forward resumes to:
Fax: 403.972.2002
Email: vortrax@netago.ca
For more information, please contact Tim Davey

#workWednesday

Senior/Junior Lifeguard-Instructors
The Town of Oyen is still accepting applications for the Shirley McClellan Aquatic Centre for the 2013 summer season. Applicants must have a minimum of a current NLS Certification. Applicants must have a minimum of a current NLC Certification, have excellent public relations skills and be willing to work day, evening and weekend hours. Offering competitive wages.
Please forward resumes including qualifications to:
Lee Tucker
Box 477
Oyen, AB
T0J 2J0
Fax: 403.664.3712
Email: recreation@townofoyen.com
Phone: 403.664.9711

#workWednesday

Good morning! It's a beautiful #TechTuesday! Have you seen Instagram's newest feature? It's called "Photos of You". Click the link below to see the video! Now you can add people, animals, or your favorite places in the Special Areas ;)

http://bit.ly/12dNtso

Introducing Photos of You
Today, we're excited to introduce Photos of You and bring you a new way to share and discover stories on Instagram. When you upload a photo to Instagram, you're…

Fire Ban in the Special Areas:
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash3/27518_111221098920311_5733_q.jpg
Special Areas Board
Effective May 6, 2013 the Special Areas Board is imposing a fire ban to extend throughout Special Areas No. 2, 3 and 4. The ban is imposed on all outdoor fires but does not include gas or propane barbeques or fires contained in campfire facilities in designated camping areas unless specifically posted. The Towns or Villages or Provincial Parks within the Special Areas handle their own restrictions and should be contacted directly. For further information contact: Glen Durand at (403) 779-3733