Visitor Services 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

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

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

Duties

As a Visitor Services Assistant in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, 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, or electronically. Your daily schedule involves working with a tight knit team, often on evenings and weekends, as you travel throughout the national park reserve, the majority of which are in stunning island locales. This position is very active; visiting anywhere between 2-5 campgrounds a day – rain or shine – walking for long periods of time carrying a backpack, and responding to fluctuating demands. You will experience a summer that you are sure to never forget!

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!

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to hire students for the summer 2023 (approximately 15 weeks between May and September, 2023). 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.

Successful candidates must commit to the entire work term.

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:
• Enrolment in a program of study at a recognized institution (secondary school, college, university, CEGEP, etc.)

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
• Experience working with and providing information to the public, and resolving complaints/issues.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Experience handling cash and operating point-of-sales.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of Parks Canada places and its mandate.

ABILITIES:
• Ability to provide high quality customer service.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to problem solve and formulate creative solutions.
• Ability to take initiative – Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
A team player who:
• Exercises sound judgment.
• Personally connects with people.
• Takes responsibility.
• Communicates effectively.

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

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:

• Experience working in and/ or recreating in a marine environment.
• Experience working or volunteering in an outdoor environment with varying weather conditions.

Conditions of employment

(Must be met prior to employment)
• Perform certain strenuous physical tasks as per job requirements (e.g. lifting up to 25 kg/55 lbs. and walking multiple kilometers a day.
• Proof of student status will be required (done at time of hiring).
• Obtain and maintain Reliability Status security clearance;
• Possession of a valid Class 5 Drivers License.
• Willingness to wear a Parks Canada uniform and prescribed protective equipment.
• Willingness to work outdoors, sometimes in adverse weather conditions, and stand/walk for extended periods of time.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, irregular hours and stat holidays.
• Willingness to work and/or travel in varied terrain and weather conditions by various means of transportation.
• Willingness to be exposed to stress when responding to fluctuating, unpredictable visitor demands and requirements.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain valid First Aid and CPR certification, Marine Emergency Duties A3, and ROCM – Restricted Operator’s Certificate - Maritime (training provided).

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

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For tips to navigate the application process step by step, refer to the following site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GW7P3g9hhI.
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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.

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.
• 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.

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.

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. This results of this competition may be used to hire positions funded by the YESS program and as such, you will be asked if you meet the criteria of the YESS program when you apply.

To be eligible for the YESS program, you must be:
• Between 15 and 30 years old
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status 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 housing is not available for students occupying positions in Sidney or on Pender Island. However, affordable Parks Canada housing may be available for positions on Saturna Island. Students are responsible for their own food, transportation, and other costs.

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

Contact information