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

***Important Information and Instructions***
1. Living accommodations will not be provided.
2. You must provide contact information for 3 work references.
3. We will only accept on-line applications received via the jobs.gc.ca website.

No cover letter required – Respond to questions in the on-line application.

NOTE: When submitting your application to this selection process, you will be required to answer screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the essential qualifications (education and all essential experiences).

Your job application must clearly demonstrate that you meet all the pre-screening requirements in order to move on to the next step. Please explain how you meet the essential criteria of education and experience. Do not forget to specify the period during which you have held each function (month and year), and where you acquired the qualification. The answers to the pre-screening questions will be the main source of information that the assessment board members will be using to determine whether you have the essential qualifications for education and experience. Your resume must corroborate your answers to the pre-screening questions. The lack of information in the form requested may result in the rejection of your application. Additional information may be requested after closing date for screening and/or assessment purposes.

Applicants who are successful in moving forward to the next stage of the competition will be required to complete a written assignment prior to interview.

Duties

Plans, adapts, develops and delivers interpretive programs, activities, and events 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.

Interpretive programs may include: hands-on and participatory activities, visitor-centered activities, story sharing, guided walks, evening theatre and campfire programs, visiting busy day-use areas to encourage visitors to keep clean picnic sites, supporting 3rd party programming, and monitoring secondary roadways by vehicle to provide safe wildlife viewing messages.

Supervises, trains, and provides support/feedback to other interpreters and/or students.

Communicates with leadership staff/ other functions to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of interpretation team.

Work environment

Do you like to facilitate participatory experiences that help visitors discover and explore their 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 parks?

If so, then this might be the job for you!

This could be your work place; Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, a picture-perfect mountain town, abundant wildlife and scenic drives come together in Banff National Park - Canada’s first national park and the flagship of the nation’s park system. Banff, Yoho & Kootenay National Parks are all part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A typical day for a member of the Banff, Yoho or Kootenay National Park Interpretation teams could involve:
● Sharing important messaging and Interacting with visitors at busy day-use areas;
● Presenting significant stories related to the park at campground theatres and temporary stations around the park;
● Leading programmed activities and guided walks;
● Leading hands-on participatory activities;
● Managing wildlife jams and delivering safe wildlife viewing messages to visitors traveling on secondary roadways.

Intent of the process

The results of this process will be used to fill anticipated temporary vacancies for 2023 and may be used in the future to fill permanent or temporary vacancies that may arise at the Interpretation Officer/Coordinator II, PM 02, 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.
OR
● Significant land-based/Indigenous knowledge; 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 IN:

● *Recent and significant** experience in the creation of interpretive programs for a wide range of audiences using a variety of presentation techniques;
● *Recent and significant** experience in the delivery of cultural and/or natural heritage programs;
● *Recent experience in supervision and/or coaching in a work environment;
● *Recent experience in creative writing and editing related to public programming (ex: scripts/outlines for a theatre program, a guided walk, interpretive signage, and/or public presentation).

*Recent experience is defined as experience acquired over the last three (3) years (Since 2019).

** Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience generally acquired in performing duties for a minimum of 4 months of consecutive delivery.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB) and/or English Essential

Information on language requirements

________________________________________________________________________________

KNOWLEDGE OF:

● Interpretive theory and techniques such as storytelling, demonstration, theatre programs or guided walks;
● Natural and cultural heritage specific to Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.

________________________________________________________________________________

ABILITIES:

● Adaptability - Adapting in order to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations, and with diverse individuals and groups;
● Client Focus - Providing service excellence to internal and/or external clients;
● 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;
● Teamwork - Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals;
● Developing Others - Fostering employee development by providing a supportive learning environment.

________________________________________________________________________________

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:

● Exercises sound judgment;
● Communicates effectively orally and in writing;
● Takes responsibility;
● Personally connects with others;
● Shares Parks Canada's vision.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

The following qualifications may be applied and/or assessed because they are beneficial in carrying out the duties of the position. They may be used in screening, assessment or determining right fit for this selection process, so please describe how you meet any of the following criteria.

● Completion of Apprentice Interpretive Guide or Professional Interpretive Guide course through the Interpretive Guides Association.

* Copies of current certification will be required at time of interview.

________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

● Willing and able to work shift-work, late evening hours and/or weekends, and/or statutory holidays and provincial holidays;
● Willing and able to wear a Parks Canada uniform as per the uniform policy and/or dress in 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 stand/walk/hike/drive for prolonged periods;
● Willing and able to work from various locations.

Conditions of employment

Must be met prior to employment

● Obtain and maintain a reliability status including fingerprints
● Possession and maintenance of a valid class 5 driver's license

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

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. In support of achieving a representative workforce, preference may be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as belonging to an employment equity group such as Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ youth, minority Francophones, and members of racially minoritized groups and encourage applicants 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 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.

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

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

Contact information