About the position
DutiesDoes the idea of leading a team in a dynamic work environment, working with the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq Kapmntemuow on Prince Edward Island (PEI) to protect one of PEI’s last coastal wilderness areas, its unique geomorphology, and vulnerable ecosystems, while strengthening the nation-to-nation relationship with the Mi’kmaq of PEI, appeal to you? If so, then you may be interested in an exciting and challenging position as the Park Superintendent for Pituamkek National Park Reserve.
In this role, you work cooperatively with L’nuey, the Mi’kmaq rights implementation organization to build respectful, trusting relationships. As a Parks Canada employee, you will report directly to the Field Unit Superintendent for Prince Edward Island. You understand that Parks Canada is committed to shared management with the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq, and you are committed to working in lockstep with L’nuey on the implementation of Pituamkek. You understand that Parks Canada is committed to a system of heritage places that recognizes and honours the contributions of Indigenous peoples.
You know, by working together, we can do more to recognize Indigenous peoples’ leadership in the stewardship of their traditional lands, which often encompass heritage places administered by Parks Canada, and you are committed to working with L’nuey to realize the (re)connection of communities to the lands and waters of their traditional territories and celebrating Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq culture and history.
You recognize the opportunities and challenges of leading a team in a complex, marine-based, operating environment and you approach your work with an open heart and mind, looking for creative solutions, opportunities to build connections, and lead change.
While you demonstrate strong management competencies, this is much more than an office job. You spend time in the park reserve getting to know the work of your team and the places that we steward with the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq. You connect with various communities, meeting with L’nuey, Lennox Island First Nation and Abegweit First Nation partners and non-Indigenous stakeholders, attend community events and work collaboratively to advance shared interests.
Given the diversity of issues you address during any given workday (e.g. overseeing park operations, including managing a capital assets program, natural and cultural resource conservation, management planning, visitor experience, community outreach, working with representatives from other levels of government, responding to queries from the general public or media, managing labour relations issues, working with partners, etc.) you are flexible, adaptable and able to change course if appropriate.
Clear, respectful communication is fundamental to your success, as is a commitment to achieving results. You listen and seek to understand, recognize when you don’t know something, and reach out, in a timely fashion, and ask the right people the right questions. If this position sounds like a fit for you, then you are invited to apply for the following employment opportunity.
Work environment
On July 4, 2024, Pituamkek National Park Reserve became the 48th national park in Canada. Since 2006, the Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow has led the way to establish Pituamkek as a national park reserve.
Located in northwestern Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island), the Pituamkek (Bee-DOO-um-gek, “at the long sand dune”) region has been a treasured and vital landscape for the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq for thousands of years. The archaeological record in Pituamkek shows Mi’kmaw use dating back millennia. In this place of deep cultural, historical and spiritual importance to the Mi’kmaq, these traditions continue today.
Also known in English as Hog Island and the Sandhills, Pituamkek’s stunning landscapes feature coastal dune ecosystems, old-growth forests and unique geology. Protecting this significant region strengthens biodiversity, contributing to Canada’s commitment to conserve 30% of lands by 2030.
While Pituamkek isn’t yet ready to receive visitors, the creation of a new national park is an exciting time. Together, the Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow and Parks Canada will continue to work together to protect this iconic natural and cultural landscape for generations to come. In future, these lands will provide new opportunities for all Canadians to experience Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq culture in this beautiful place.
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. 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
The intent of this process is to fill one permanent full-time position.
A qualifying list will be established and may be used to fill similar positions of various tenures (indeterminate, seasonal, temporary, full-time, part-time), linguistic requirements and various locations within the Parks Canada Agency.
Positions to be filled
1
Important messages
Applications will only be accepted on-line received via the Canada.ca site.
To submit an application on-line, please select the "Apply" button below.
Tips for applicants:
• Please provide complete and thorough details of your education and experience.
• Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history.
• You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided.
• Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the competition.
Our intention is to communicate with candidates via email. Candidates must include in their application a valid email address and ensure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that any changes to their personal information be provided to the email address indicated on this job advertisement.
Applicants are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.
Applicants who are unable to apply on-line must contact the person listed below prior to the closing date.
You need (essential for the job)
Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following
EDUCATION:
• Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with a specialization in a field relevant to the position OR an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
EXPERIENCE:
• Significant* and recent experience working collaboratively and cooperatively with Indigenous Peoples and local communities (e.g. boards, stakeholders, other levels of government, not-for-profit sectors, etc.) to build relationships and achieve common goals in a complex environment.
• Significant* experience in managing human and financial resources, including supervision of staff.
• Significant* experience in complex negotiation and conflict resolution.
*Note: Significant is defined as a depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of activities related to this task, which are acquired over a period of at least three (3) years at a management level. Recent is defined as within approximately the last five (5) years.
Note: Some examples of managing human resources may include: supervising staff in a unionized environment and addressing labour relations, establishing vision, priorities, work plans or establishing work objectives, conducting performance assessments and feedback, approving training, demonstration of experience in managing various service delivery and resources allocation frameworks, etc. Applicants must also indicate the number of staff they have supervised.
Note: Some examples of managing financial resources may include: full delegation for a budget for at least one fiscal cycle, being responsible for financial planning, forecasting and reporting. Applicants must also indicate the size of the budget they managed directly.
Note: Complex issues are issues with at least three (3) of the following characteristics: multidimensional, sensitive, confidential, affecting many partners or stakeholders, precedent setting or having a major impact on the program delivery for the public service.
Applied / assessed at a later date
KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of Government of Canada priorities and objectives for a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship, including the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, Treaty commitments, Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, and how they relate to the recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights and self-determination and cooperative management.
• Knowledge of federal, provincial and local government legislation that apply in national protected areas (both marine and terrestrial).
• Knowledge of Parks Canada Agency priorities and mandate.
ABILITIES:
• Ability to develop and maintain effective, respectful working relationships with Indigenous partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to facilitate team building and the development of leadership.
• Ability to manage complex issues.
• Ability to promote innovation & guide change.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, listen and seek to understand.
• Ability to work collaboratively to identify solutions.
• Ability to follow-up & achieve results.
PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Exercise Sound Judgement.
• Mobilize People.
• Collaborate with Partners & Stakeholders.
• Uphold integrity and respect.