Bison Project Management Lead

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

What is the challenge?

The project manager will lead the development and implementation of actions to effectively address threats to the short and long-term conservation, management, and recovery of wood bison in, and adjacent to, Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP). The position requires the ability to build relationships and establish productive partnerships with Indigenous communities to support the integration of community perspective and local Indigenous knowledge in conservation initiatives and research and monitoring. It also requires knowledge of bison ecology.

The project manager will:

• Lead work-planning to drive accountability of deliverables and financial management of bison research and monitoring in WBNP;
• Provide leadership on behalf of Parks Canada in engagement and Consultation with Indigenous communities on developing and implementing measures to address threats to the Ronald Lake and Wabasca herds; this will occur in collaboration with the Government of Alberta and Environment and Climate Change Canada;
• Monitor, assess, review and report the progress and adequacy of engagement initiative as well as documenting and recording the engagement processes and meetings;
• Ensure that processes reflect the government’s legal and moral commitments to consult with Indigenous communities whose constitutionally protected rights may be potentially affected by this initiative;
• Develop effective working relationships with both Indigenous communities and regional stakeholders;
• Coordinate and facilitate internal communication between the Wood Buffalo National Park Field Unit and Protected Area Establishment and Conservation Branch (PAEC) on matters related to wood bison conservation;
• Assign and supervise the work of a team.

Work environment

Are you interested in making things happen? Would you like to work at Canada’s largest national park? Based in either Fort Smith, NT or Fort Chipewyan, AB, employment benefits would include, but are not limited to, an Isolated Post Allowance, access to the Public Service Health Care Plan and Dental Plan, and a pension plan.

Parks Canada also offers learning and training opportunities to support you in your current and future career, family-related leave benefits and access to an Employee Assistance Program to support you through all stages of your career.

This is a unique opportunity to become involved in the protection and presentation of Canada’s outstanding natural and cultural resources and to help guide the future of one of Canada’s most iconic species.

Intent of the process

The results of this process will be used to fill one term position from July 6 to March 31 2026.

Positions to be filled: 1

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
An acceptable combination of education, training, experience or traditional knowledge relevant to position.

*Preference may be given to qualified candidates with specialization in bison biology/ecology.
*Preference may be given to qualified candidates with expertise in facilitation or public relations.

Degree equivalency

📌EXPERIENCE
•Experience leading projects or initiatives that contribute to the management or conservation of habitat and or species and have been characterized by the following: being high profile (i.e. attracting public or media attention); involving multiple stakeholders; involving third-party interests.
•Experience designing, coordinating, and implementing engagement plans with Indigenous communities and stakeholders.
•Experience in natural resource management and in linking Indigenous knowledge with resource management principles.
•Significant experience* in providing advice and briefings to management.
•Significant experience* in facilitating discussions to reach agreement among parties.
•Experience in managing human and financial resources, including assigning work, setting standards and priorities, instructing staff and assessing staff performance within an allocated budget.

*Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience acquired over a period of at least 2 years.

📌KNOWLEDGE
•An awareness of wildlife disease (bovine, tuberculosis and brucellosis).

📍Parks Canada will give special consideration to the following criteria:
•Knowledge of the Government of Canada’s Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework.
•Indigenous knowledge, including of the language and culture of the area.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

📌PERSONAL SUITABILITY
We are looking for a leader who:
•Motivates and mobilizes people;
•Demonstrates integrity;
•Takes responsibility;
•Promotes innovation.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

📌ASSET EXPERIENCE
•Has the ability to think strategically, develop conceptual frameworks, identify alternatives, and implement future courses of action.
•Effective oral and written communication.
•Ability to provide timely and strategic advice (to management).
•Experience working collaboratively in diverse cultural situations.
•Experience living and/or working in a northern or remote community.

📌OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
•Required to wear a Parks Canada Agency uniform and personal protective equipment/clothing as needed.
•Willingness and ability to work irregular hours, overtime, weekends and/or statutory holidays and provincial/territorial holidays, when required.

Conditions of employment

•Obtain and maintain Reliability Status security clearance.
•Possess and maintain a valid Class 5 driver’s license.
•Require a pre-placement medical, as per the Isolated Post Policy.

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

Indigenous community members, along with Parks Canada employees, will be part of the screening and hiring board.

An interview will be administered to qualified candidates.

A test may be administered.

Reference checks will be sought.

For tips to navigate the application process step by step, refer to the following site:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GW7P3g9hhI.

Parks Canada is committed to the principles of diversity and employment equity under the Employment Equity Act and strives to ensure that our workforce reflects the diverse nature of Canadian society. We encourage women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of a visible minority group to self-identify in their application.

The Parks Canada Agency is established as a separate employer in the Federal Public Service under the Financial Administration Act. Persons appointed to the Agency continue to be part of the Public Service. The Parks Canada Agency operates under its own human resources framework outside of the Public Service Employment Act and in line with values of fairness, competence and respect, and its operating principles.

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 are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

Interviews by phone/ video will be accommodated.

Please submit your completed application, including all of the above-mentioned documentation. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.

Travel cost for individuals who are not Federal Public Servants will not be covered.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. Applicants MUST check their e-mail accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). Please note that we will have to consider that you are no longer interested in participating in the selection process and that you have withdrawn your candidacy should you not provide us with an up-to-date email address or respond to our communications.

If you need to communicate with us during any stage of this process, please indicate the selection process number in the subject field of your email.

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

Contact information

Apply online