Interpretation & Visitor Experience Assistants - Student

Duties
We are hiring for positions on two different teams: Interpretation and Visitor Services. You will be asked to identify which position you are applying for, and are welcome to apply for both positions. Please read job descriptions below carefully to determine your interest!💫 STREAM 1: INTERPRETATION ASSISTANT (SU-01)
At Parks Canada, presenting, educating and sharing the stories of national parks and historic sites to the public is a key part of what we do. In a typical week as a member of the Interpretation team, you may find yourself at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea creatively engaging with visitors about the amazing ecosystems found within GINPR; on a weekend you may find yourself preparing in the office then heading out to deliver an entertaining and educational interpretive program at Pender Island, Mayne Island or Sidney Island; or you may attend outreach events in the Gulf Islands community, such as markets or fairs. Every day is an adventure with Gulf Islands National Park Reserve!📋 Your duties will include:
• Delivery of different styles of interpretation programming (e.g., scheduled programs, roving, tabletop, etc.).
• Representing Gulf Islands National Park Reserve at partner venues such as the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea and at outreach events in the island communities.
• Assistance with special events, and programs.
• Responding to public questions, comments and concerns.
• Create engaging social media content. E.g. Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter).---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⭐ STREAM 2: VISITOR SERVICES ASSISTANT (SU-02)
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve's Visitor Services team is looking for individuals who are passionate about the outdoors, demonstrate a high degree of customer service, and are keen on educating visitors about the local natural and cultural history of one of Canada's most unique places. 📋 As a Visitor Services Attendant, your work is focused on facilitating exceptional national park experiences by:
• interacting with local and international visitors,
• selling camping permits and firewood,
• registering boaters at mooring buoys and docks,
• cleaning and maintaining campgrounds,
• as well as providing information about the park reserve in person, by phone and electronically.Your daily schedule involves working closely with other team members regularly on evenings and weekends as you travel by vehicle or boat to campgrounds and mooring locations throughout the national park reserve, the majority of which are in stunning and remote island locales.

Work environment
✨ Parks Canada is a federal government agency responsible for the protection and presentation of Canada’s outstanding natural and cultural resources through a system of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites in all regions of Canada.As part of the Visitor Experience team, you will deliver meaningful, captivating, and enjoyable interpretive presentations, programs and activities that provide visitors with opportunities to develop meaningful connections to the natural and cultural landscapes of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.Are you creative and energetic? A strong communicator? Do you enjoy nature and history? Ready to spend your summer making memories and making a difference? Apply now and start your adventure with Parks Canada!🏆 The Parks Canada team is proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of Canada's Best Employers (2024).

Intent of the process
📣 The intent of this process is to hire students for the summer 2026 (approximately 13 to 15 weeks between May and August, 2026).
The exact number of positions available is to be determined.

Important messages
📌Parks Canada 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. Parks Canada 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.📌To encourage workforce diversity, consideration may be given to candidates who self-declare as belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous, visible minorities, people with disabilities, and women.📌Each person is entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.📌For tips to navigate the application process step by step, refer to the following short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GW7P3g9hhI.

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Reliability Status security clearance - Obtain and maintain Reliability Status security clearance (done at time of hiring).

• Possession of a valid Driver’s License

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The position requires the incumbent to :
• Make moderate physical effort to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods and/or to clean facilities/grounds.
• Perform certain strenuous physical tasks as per job requirements (e.g. lifting up to 25 kg/55 lbs. and walking multiple kilometers a day.
• Be exposed to noxious odours from car and/or boat fumes; to dust, cleaning products and wet conditions.
• Be exposed to variable weather conditions.
• Be exposed to stress when responding to fluctuating, unpredictable visitor demands and requirements.
• Be exposed to minor injury when performing cleaning and maintenance activities.
• Wear a Parks Canada uniform and abide by uniform policy.
• Work shift work, and/or evenings, and/or weekends and/or statutory holidays and/or provincial/territorial holidays.
• Work/ travel in varied terrain, marine and weather conditions throughout the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve work area and by vessel and vehicle.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain valid First Aid and CPR certification (training provided).
• Willingness to use safe work practices and required personal protective clothing (training and terms of use provided).

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STREAM 1 & 2: INTERPRETATION & VISITOR SERVICES ASSISTANT (SU-01 & 02)
💼 EXPERIENCE:
• Experience providing information to and/or resolving complaints/problems for the public.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Experience working, volunteering, or recreating in the outdoors.

STREAM 1: INTERPRETATION ASSISTANT (SU-01 only)
📚 KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of communication techniques such as, storytelling, demonstration theatre, music and guided walks
• Knowledge of natural sciences, local flora and fauna💡 ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of situations
• Ability to interact with and present to a wide variety of audiences ⭐ PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Personally connects with people.
• Exercises sound judgment.
• Dependable.
• Takes responsibility.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STREAM 2: VISITOR SERVICES ASSISTANT (SU-02 only)
💡 ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to provide high quality customer service.
• Ability to problem solve and formulate creative solutions.
• Ability to take initiative.⭐ PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Personally connects with people.
• Exercises sound judgment.
• Dependable.
• Takes responsibility.

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Applied / assessed at a later date

English essential - English essential

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The following is not essential to the job, but would be an asset in carrying out the duties of the position. It may be used in screening, assessment or determining right fit for this selection process: STREAM 1: INTERPRETATION ASSISTANT (SU-01)
📝 ASSET (ADDITIONAL) QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience with and/or knowledge of traditions, culture and practices of Indigenous peoples in the local area.
• Experience writing articles, stories, and/or social media campaigns, e.g., for Facebook, Instagram and/or X (formerly known as Twitter)
• Experience working in and/ or recreating in a marine environment.
• Experience working with SENĆOŦEN and/or Hul̓q̓umín̓um̓ languages ***************************
STREAM 2: VISITOR SERVICES ASSISTANT (SU-02)
📝 ASSET (ADDITIONAL) QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience handling cash and operating point-of-sales.
• Experience working in and/ or recreating in a marine environment.
• Experience working or volunteering in a public safety or incident response capacity.

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Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values. Diverse teams bring different perspectives and creative ideas that benefit our clients, the communities we serve and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from individuals with diverse abilities and from all backgrounds and identities.

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