About the position
DutiesThe Avalanche Technician position will provide you with a unique experience and an opportunity to build a career with Parks Canada.
This position will require the incumbent to perform a complement of duties including, but are not limited to:
• Ski tour to backcountry observations sites as field team member.
• Perform weather, snowpack, and avalanche observations.
• Compile, analyse and present information for morning safety briefings.
• Contribute to InfoEx submissions
• Participate in avalanche control operations
• Participate in search and rescue operations and respond to emergency situations.
• Help maintain Mountain Safety Team facilities, huts and oversnow vehicles
• Basic maintenance and troubleshooting at telemetry sites.
• Use custom avalanche control software.
Work environmentIf you’re passionate about national parks, snow, and avalanches this is the position for you! You’ll be working with a highly skilled team of Avalanche Technicians and Forecasters based out of Rogers Pass, BC. You will play a critical role in supporting the avalanche mitigation measures for the TransCanada Highway, as well as participating in technical search and rescue responses in a mountain environment. This position will require you to work outdoors in winter conditions and backcountry locations in Glacier National Park.
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.
Intent of the process
This is an anticipatory process. Candidates found qualified from this process may be contacted when vacancies become available. The term length for these positions are typically from November to May. Interviews are anticipated to begin in June 2026.
This process will be used to create a list of qualified candidates to staff similar positions with various tenures, security levels or linguistic requirements in same or other parts of the country.
Important messages
Persons who are unable to apply on-line must contact the person listed below prior to the closing date.
Tips for applicants:
• When answering application questions, be thorough and provide concrete examples. “See resume” is not considered an acceptable answer. Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history.
• Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the competition.
• You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be considered for the position.
• Other qualifications listed as additional or asset are not mandatory to apply. However, these may be considered throughout the assessment process.
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.
A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.
Conditions of employment
Reliability Status security clearance
Learn more about security screening process.
• Possession and maintenance of valid class 5 driver’s license;
• Possession and maintenance of valid advanced first aid (minimum 80 hr course) and CPR certification.
• Maintenance of a high level of physical fitness. Candidates must be able to descend steep slopes in a variety of snow conditions, break trail, and be capable of climbing 1800m a day while carrying a 15-20kg pack.
• Candidates will be required to undergo and meet the requirements for a medical examination and/or periodic medical checks.
• Willingness to wear a Parks Canada uniform and prescribed protective equipment;
• Willingness to work and/or travel in varied terrain, weather conditions, isolated locations and by various means of transportation;
• Willingness to travel over roads closed to the general public and to work under avalanche hazard conditions;
• Willingness to work irregular hours, overtime, weekends and/or statutory holidays, and provincial/territorial holidays, when required.
• Willingness to work and/or reside at Rogers Pass, BC.
You need (essential for the job)
Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following
EDUCATION
Successful completion of secondary school according to provincial standards; or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.
Preference may be given to individuals who possess a higher level of education or certification related to the position.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION
• Class 5 driver’s license
• Canadian Avalanche Association - Avalanche Operations Level 1
• Valid advanced first aid certification (minimum 80hr course)
EXPERIENCE
EX1: Experience backcountry ski touring.
Please provide examples that clearly demonstrate your experience and proficiency using industry standard ski touring or split boarding equipment on tours and ski mountaineering objectives in a variety of mountain terrain. Candidates must be able to descend steep slopes in a variety of snow conditions, break trail, and be capable of climbing 1800m a day while carrying a 15-20kg pack. Splitboarders must be skilled at split-skiing.
Preference may be given to individuals who have experience ski touring in Glacier National Park area.
EX2: Recent and significant* experience in weather, snowpack, and avalanche observations in an avalanche program.
*Recent and significant experience is defined as a minimum of 3 winter seasons in the past five years.
EX3: Experience in avalanche search and rescue, including having participated in organized avalanche rescue practice annually in 3 of the past 5 seasons at minimum.
Applied / assessed at a later date
KNOWLEDGE
K1: Knowledge of factors contributing to avalanche hazards and risk.
K2: Knowledge of weather, snowpack and avalanche observations as described in the Canadian Avalanche Association’s “Observation Guidelines and Recording Standards”
K3: Knowledge of avalanche control methods
ABILITIES
A1: Ability to ski tour safely and effectively as a field team member in mountainous terrain.
A2: Ability to analyze and summarize weather, snowpack and avalanche occurrence data.
A3: Ability to respond to emergency situations including backcountry rescues and highway incidents
PERSONAL SUITABILITY
PS1: Exercises sound judgment
PS2: Communicates effectively
PS3: Works well with others
PS4: Takes responsibility
You may need (asset qualifications)
May be applied / assessed at a later date
ASSET:
• Canadian Avalanche Association - AvSAR Level 1
• Canadian Avalanche Association - AvSAR Level 2
• Canadian Avalanche Association - Introduction to Weather
• Canadian Avalanche Association - Avalanche Operations Level 2;
• Avalanche Control Blasting Certification
ASSET EXPERIENCE
EXA1: Experience with technical travel skills used in alpine, rock, and/or ice climbing
EXA2: Experience in performing rescue operations in challenging terrain
ASSET ABILITIES
AA1: Advanced ability to use computers and technology, in particular the use of geographic information systems and radio telemetry systems.
Our commitment
We're 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 contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
Learn more about assessment accommodation.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.