Interpretation Officer / Coordinator II

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Duties

Plans, adapts and delivers interpretive presentations, programs and activities to provide visitors of the park with opportunities to discover, appreciate, learn about and enjoy the place and its natural and/or cultural resources and understand their significance to Canada. Supervises GT-01 interpreters and/or students.
Interpretive programs may include, but not limited to: hands-on and participatory activities, visitor-centred activities, games, story sharing, guided walks, evening theatre and campfire programs, school programs, special events and more.
Candidates should also demonstrate flexibility in response to the organizations changing needs and will be able to learn quickly and pick up new methods and techniques both within and outside their current area of expertise.

Work environment

Do you like to learn about and explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of our mountain national parks?

Do you like to facilitate participatory experiences that help visitors discover and explore connections to these magnificent places?

Do you like to talk with and listen to people so you can learn what most excites and inspires people to take actions to protect the mountain national parks?

If so, then this might be the job for you! Here’s a day in the life of a Heritage Presenter in the mountain national parks.

In spring, as an Interpreter, you will help facilitate and participate in interpretive workshops, staff information updates and outings in the park to prepare you for the summer. During the months of May and June you’ll be delivering school and spring interpretive programs. You learn the evening program and daytime activities that you’ll deliver in July and August. Helping to coach and supervise Heritage Presenters (entry level interpreters) as they learn their programs and you work together to get everything ready for the summer. It’s a busy time, but the creative energy is exhilarating!

In July and August, on a typical afternoon/evening shift, you go into the office to catch up on what’s going on, then pack up materials and props and head to a busy day use area. There you may facilitate an archaeology activity station that focuses on helping families explore a mock dig site, identify artefacts, and use primitive tools or you may play a game of Whitebark Pine snakes and ladders. After a break and some office time, you head to the visitor centre to deliver the evening program. Tonight you are facilitating a darky sky program where families create a moon mobile, you share the latest information about dark skies and their importance to animal species. At the end of the evening program you leave visitors with ideas for actions they can take to help reduce light pollution.

Intent of the process

The results of this process will be used to fill anticipated vacancies for 2023 and may be used in the future to fill permanent or temporary vacancies that may arise at the Interpretation Officer II, PM 02, position in various locations, with full or part-time hours for various tenures, such as: Seasonal Indeterminate, Term, Acting Assignment or Assignment at level, depending on status of the selected candidate.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 3 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION
A minimum of two (2) years post-secondary education or acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

Note: Acceptable combination of education, training and experience:
• A secondary school diploma or Public Service Commission approved alternatives; AND
• One (1) year post-secondary education; AND
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in the fields of outreach, communications, interpretation or education.

Proof of education will be required at time of interview.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
• Experience in the development of interpretive programs for a wide range of audiences and that use a variety of presentation techniques;
• Experience in delivering messages/information to groups in face-to-face situations with the purpose of education, engagement, entertainment and/or motivation;
• Experience in supervision, coaching and/or mentoring.

Note – Include number of months’ experience for each essential qualification.

KNOWLEDGE
• Knowledge of communication, presentation and interpretive techniques such as storytelling, demonstration, family activity programs, or guided walks;
• Knowledge of Canada’s natural and/or cultural heritage as it relates to Waterton Lakes National Park.

ABILITIES
• Adaptability – Adapting in order to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations, and with diverse individuals and groups;
• Client Focus - Provide service excellence to external/internal clients; Maintaining a positive and professional attitude while continuously engaging with high volumes of people and a busy environment;
• Team Work - Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals;
• Developing Others – Fostering employee development by providing a supportive learning environment;
• Communication through Interpretation - Listening to others and communicating articulately to inform, influence and involve;
• Ability to manage resources (time, financial, human, physical and information resources) to achieve planned goals.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY
• Exercise’s sound judgement;
• Personally connects with others
• Makes things happen;
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Asset Qualifications

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
• Experience in the development and delivery of interpretive activities that are holistic, participatory, dialogic and/or visitor-centred.
• Experience in theater/performing arts

Note – Include number of month’s experience for each qualification.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The position requires the incumbent to:

• Willing and able to work shift-work, and/or weekends, and/or statutory holidays and provincial/territorial holidays;
• Willing and able to wear a Parks Canada uniform as per the uniform policy and/or dress in period costume as per Parks Canada requirements;
• Willing and able to work and/or travel in varied terrains, weather conditions, isolated locations and by various means of transportation;
• Willing and able to work from various work locations;
• Willing and able to stand/walk/hike for prolonged periods;
• Willing and able to carry up to 25kg (55lb) backpacks and/or moving heavy audio visual equipment or props.
• Willing and able to obtain a valid passport.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (--B/--B)
English Essential

Information on language requirements

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• Security Screening: Obtain and maintain Reliability Status;
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Class 5 Driver’s License (Class L, N or other graduated license will not be accepted).

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

We will only accept online applications received via the GC Jobs website. Persons who are unable to apply on-line must contact rhwaterton-watertonhr@pc.gc.ca prior to the closing date.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in the questionnaire how they meet the Education and Experience criteria. Failure to clearly demonstrate in the questionnaire how you meet the Education and Experience factors found on the Statement of Qualifications (see below), may result in the rejection of your application.Normally, applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.
Additional information may be requested after closing date for screening and/or assessment purposes.

In accordance with paragraph 8(2)(a) of the Privacy Act, information or material, whether provided directly by the candidate or otherwise obtained by the selection board, used during the selection process for the purpose of assessing a candidate may be used as part of the selection review and recourse processes. Such relevant information may be provided to third parties, such as other candidates or their representatives, who have a legitimate reason to be aware of that information.
Persons who are in receipt of a Canadian Government Public Service pension and are considering this employment opportunity with the Parks Canada Agency, should contact the PWGSC Public Service Pension Centre (1-800-561-7930) in order to determine the impact of an appointment on their pension benefit entitlements.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Contact information