Heritage Interpreter and Curatorial /Collections Assistant (student)

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

Parks Canada is a participant in the Federal Government’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), and is committed to helping youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment build their work experience. The purpose is to increase employment for youth, enabling them to gain work experience, to develop skills, and to extend their networks.

To be eligible for the YESS program, you must be:
• Between 15 and 30 years old
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident or legally entitled to work in Canada
• In addition, preference may be given to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ youth, rural youth and members of racially minoritized groups as well as youth facing barriers to employment . As such, we encourage you to self-identify in your application.

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, rural youth, and members of racially minoritized groups and encourage applicants to self-identify in their application.

On January 12th between 10am and 3pm the Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse interpretive team members will be available by phone at (250) 478-5849 to answer any questions and provide support regarding the position or the application process.

We will only accept on-line applications received via the jobs.gc.ca site. Persons who are unable to apply on-line must contact pc.cotec-betudiant-coastalbcstudent.pc@canada.ca prior to the closing date.

To submit an application on-line, please select the button "Apply Online" below.

Duties

DUTIES (SU-01 & SU-02)
• Support general interpretive offers by assisting with public programs, products and special events at the site and in the local community;
• Concisely communicate park information including park site orientation, interpretive/curatorial programming, and knowledge of Parks Canada;
• Represent Parks Canada by promoting Parks Canada visitor opportunities and products, raising awareness about Parks Canada, and making history engaging and exciting.

You may be required to:
• promote, document and/or evaluate special events, programs and products;
• create engaging social media content (e.g., Facebook, Twitter);
• promote, organize and host volunteer events;
• handle historic weapons, objects, etc.

DUTIES (SU-02)
In addition to the duties listed above, the Collections/Exhibit & Curatorial assistant’s role is to assist the site Curator’s work on cataloguing and describing historic photographs, cleaning and assessing artifacts and assisting with exhibit research, sourcing and installation.

You may be required to:
• Work on cataloguing and describing historic photographs, clean and assess artifacts and assist with exhibit research, sourcing and installation.

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.

At Parks Canada, providing service to visitors and the public, and maintaining our facilities to a high standard, is a key part of what we do. Are you passionate about the outdoors? Do you provide high quality service? And are you keen to share your knowledge and experience with the public? A summer job as a Parks Canada team member might be right for you!

A DAY IN THE LIFE AT FORT RODD HILL & FISGARD LIGHTHOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES (SU-01 & SU-02)
You arrive at the gates of Fort Rodd Hill, a late Victorian military fortification that was active in both World Wars, and the iconic Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the west coast of Canada, and prepare to welcome visitors from around the world. Fellow interpreters roam the site, wearing clothing from the 1860’s at the Lighthouse, or military uniforms from the 1890’s through the Second World War at the Fort. The setting overlooks the Olympic mountains, and features diverse wildlife in and around the Garry Oak Learning Meadow.

HERITAGE INTERPRETER STUDENT (SU-01)
You deliver historical interpretive programming to visitors, assist in planning and executing events, and operate the visitor centre. You share stories and teach visitors the secrets of the fort while delivering programs to audiences of all ages. You will respond to public questions, comments and concerns related to the site. You may research and learn about the history of Fort Rodd Hill, Victoria, and the objects on display at the site. At the end of the day, you leave with a sense that you have contributed to enhancing visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of these two unique National Historic Sites. At the end of the summer, you leave with an appreciation for British Columbia’s history, an exciting resume of interpretive skills, and fun memories of events and encounters.

CURATORIAL / COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT STUDENT (SU-02)
You assist the curator in creating and placing historic displays, carefully clearing, preserving and handing the artifacts. You are detailed oriented and thorough in your work to catalogue and describe historic photos, records and artifacts and assist in researching exhibits and collections objects. You bring your creativity and judgement when work independently and with the curator. You support the interpretive programs and events taking place on site. At the end of the summer you leave with a deeper understanding of Canada’s history and the objects that tell its story, as well as a wide resume of heritage skills.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to hire students for the summer 2022. We will only contact students who demonstrate clearly in the screening follow-up questions that they possess the education and experience required for this opportunity.

The results may be used in the future to fill other temporary student vacancies that may arise in Coastal BC Field Unit, in various locations, with full or part-time hours for various tenures, depending on status of the selected candidate.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION:
Students with college or university courses related to history; anthropology; archeology; museum; curatorial; Indigenous studies or other relevant courses and/or experience in History, Anthropology, Museum studies or Archaeology.

Proof of education will be required at time of interview.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE (SU-01 & SU-02):
• Experience in customer relations and/or interacting with the public;
• Experience creating and delivering presentations and/or public speaking to a variety of audiences such as theatre, performing arts, story-telling, walking tours or public education.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

EXPERIENCE (SU-02 ONLY):
• Experience with a variety of archival methods and cataloguing (digital, libraries, journals etc.);
• Experience with a variety of historical research methods such as; archival, oral interviews and online content, journals etc..

KNOWLEDGE (SU-01 & SU-02):
• Knowledge of communication techniques used in interpretation (e.g., storytelling, theatre, music);
• General knowledge of relevant Canadian history and/or of natural sciences and/or the traditions, cultures and practices of Indigenous peoples.

KNOWLEDGE (SU-02 ONLY):
• Knowledge of archival or curatorial methodology, in the handling of artifacts;
• General knowledge of Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse.

ABILITIES (SU-01 & SU-02):
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team;
• Ability to interact with and present to a wide variety of audiences;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to work with attention to detail in a conscientious, consistent and thorough manner.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY (SU-01 & SU-02):
• Dependability;
• Personally connects with others;
• Judgment;
• Takes initiative.

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

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE (SU-01 & SU-02):
• Experience writing articles, stories, and/or social media campaigns (e.g., for Facebook and Twitter);
• Experience communicating in French, Indigenous languages, or languages other than French.

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (SU-01 & SU-02):
• Obtain and maintain Reliability Status security clearance including fingerprints;
• Willingness to wear a Parks Canada uniform and/or prescribed protective equipment and/or dress in period costume as per Parks Canada requirements;
• Willingness to work outdoors, sometimes in adverse weather conditions, and stand/walk for extended periods of time;
• Willingness to set-up, take-down and move equipment (including large and heavy equipment, tables and tents);
• Willingness to work outside (be exposed to variable weather conditions);
• Willingness to work weekends, stat holidays, evenings and irregular hours;
• Willingness to work and/or travel in varied terrain and weather conditions by various means of transportation;
• Willingness to use safe work practices and required personal protective clothing;
• Willingness to perform certain physical tasks as per job requirements (e.g., lift and carry up to 15 kg, reach above head);
• Willingness to be trained in the appropriate handling of historic firearms;
• All Parks Canada Agency employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground of discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

On November 8th, 2021, the Parks Canada Agency announced the details of its vaccination requirement for all employees.

As per the Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for Parks Canada Agency, employees must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate, determinate (term), casual, as and when required, and students.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Contact information