Anticipatory - Interpretation Officer II (Hiking Guide)

Government of Canada; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Parks Canada is seeking an Anticipatory Interpretation Officer II (Hiking Guide) for the Lake Louise, Yoho & Kootenay Field Unit. The role focuses on leading guided hikes, delivering interpretive programs, and ensuring visitor safety while sharing conservation messages in spectacular mountain settings.

The incumbent will develop routes, adapt content for diverse audiences, and maintain high safety standards across challenging terrain in Yoho National Park, BC.

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years of post-secondary education or acceptable combination of education, training, or experience as detailed in job postings.
• Successful completion of courses relevant to duties, e.g., heritage interpretation, public speaking, or related fields.
• Minimum 12 months’ experience in education, guiding, interpretation, or outreach communications.
• Experience developing interpretive programs for diverse audiences and delivering cultural or natural heritage programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead guided hikes to interpretive sites and Burgess Shale fossils, and develop new routes.
• Deliver engaging, educational interpretive programs and demonstrations in the field.
• Ensure visitor safety and enjoyment during hikes, up to four full days per week.
• Share Parks messages and conservation information to inspire visitors.

Skills

Public speaking

Hiking guidance

Guest services

Safety protocols

Education

Post-secondary education

Interpretive training

Job description

Anticipatory - Interpretation Officer II (Hiking Guide)

Parks Canada- Lake Louise, Yoho & Kootenay Field Unit – Visitor Experience

Selection process number
2026-PKS-LLYK-EA-122

Location
Yoho National Park of Canada(British Columbia)

Employment tenure
Term, Acting, Assignment-at-level depending on status of the selected candidate

Salary
$69,062 to $74,408-(under review)

Level
PM-02

Who can apply
All persons who have legal status to work in Canada. Please indicate in your application the reason for which you are entitled to work in Canada: Canadian Citizenship, permanent resident status, or work permit.Preference may be given to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, visible minorities or persons with disabilities. As such, we encourage you to self-identify in your application.

Duties
You provide visitors with opportunities to discover, appreciate and learn about the Park and its natural and/or cultural resources and understand their significance to Canada. Leading guided hikes to Burgess Shale fossil sites and other hikes that highlight conservation work.Plans, adapts, develops and leads guided hikes within the field unit.

Work environment
Like to hike in our spectacular mountain parks?Are you in great physical shape and excited to lead up to four full-day hikes each week?Are you excited to share stories about Burgess Shale fossils, resource conservation efforts and key Parks messages?As a guide, you ensure visitors have a safe and memorable experience by facilitating interactive, fun and safe hikes that are challenging full day hikes of up to 22 km with 1000m elevation gain on steep, rocky trails.

Intent of the process
The results of this process will be used to fill anticipated vacancies for 2027 and may be used in the future to fill permanent or temporary vacancies that may arise at the Interpretation Officer II, PM 02, in various locations, with full or part-time hours, for various tenures, such as: Seasonal Indeterminate, Term, Acting Assignment or Assignment at level, depending on status of the selected candidate.

Important messages

The Parks Canada team is proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of Canada's Best Employers (2026).***Important Information and Instructions***

1. When providing your references, please include two to support hiking ability.
2. Individuals who qualified on process 2022-PKS-LLYK-EA-081 and 2023-PKS-LLYK-EA-071 need not apply for this competition.
3. NOTE: When submitting your application to this selection process, you will be required to answer screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the essential qualifications (education and essential experience) and asset qualifications, if applicable. Persons who are unable to apply on-line must contact the person listed below prior to the closing date.

Additional information on preparing for your interview can be found here: Applying for Government of Canada jobs: Testing and accommodation measures - Canada.ca

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.

Conditions of employment

Must be met prior to the employment offer:

• Obtain and maintain Reliability Status
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Class 5 Driver’s License or provincial equivalent
• Possession and maintenance of valid 40-hour Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification or higher level
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Group Management course certificate (Interpretive Guides Association Guide, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides Hiking Guide, Outdoor Council of Canada, or equivalent)
• Will be required to undergo and pass pre-placement and periodic medical checks
• Ability to do 8-11 hour hikes up steep trails for 4 consecutive days/week in a variety of weather conditions

Operational Requirements

The position requires the incumbent to:

• Work shift-work, and/or weekends, and/or statutory holidays and provincial/territorial holidays
• Wear a Parks Canada uniform as per the uniform policy
• Work and/or travel in varied terrains, weather conditions, isolated locations and by various means of transportation
• Stand/walk/hike for prolonged periods
• Carry up to 25 kg (55lb) backpacks and/or heavy audio-visual equipment or props

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

EDUCATION

• A minimum of 2 years of post-secondary education or an acceptable* combination of education, training, experience or traditional knowledge relevant to position*Acceptable combination of education, training and experience is defined as:
• A secondary school diploma or PSC approved alternatives; AND
• Successful completion of a minimum of three (3) courses relevant to the duties of the position (e.g., courses taken through continuing education facilities, colleges, universities, professional or governmental organizations or employers including training provided by Indigenous elders or group that may include but are not limited to courses in heritage interpretation, communications, public speaking, performing arts); AND
• A minimum of 12 months’ experience working in the fields of education, guiding, interpretation, and/or outreach-communications.
• Experience in the development of interpretive programs for a wide range of audiences that use a variety of presentation techniques
• Experience in the delivery of cultural and/or natural heritage programs, including guiding day hikes
• Significant* backcountry hiking within the past two years.*Significant refers to a minimum of six (6) full day hikes and one (1) multi-day hike in the backcountry per year. In your three references, please include two to support hiking ability.

Applied / assessed at a later date

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of interpretive theory and techniques such as storytelling, dialogic interpretation, demonstrations, evening programs or guided walks
• Knowledge of natural and cultural heritage specific to Banff, Yoho & Kootenay National Parks

ABILITIES

• Initiative - Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise
• Client Focus - Providing service excellence to internal and/or external clients
• Interpretive Skills – communicating articulately to inform, influence and involve
• Adaptability - Adapting in order to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations, and with diverse individuals and groups
• Ability to manage resources (time, human, physical and information resources) to achieve planned goals, independently and as a team
• Ability to do 8-11 hour hikes up steep trails for 4 consecutive days/week in a variety of weather conditions

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

• Personally connects with others
• Exercise sound judgement
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing

Language requirements (essential for the job)

May be applied / assessed at a later date

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

The asset qualifications are not essential to the job, but may be an asset in carrying out the duties of the position. They may be used in screening, assessing or determining right fit for this selection process.ASSET EXPERIENCE

• Experience leading full-day guided hikes over varied terrain with significant elevation gain

ASSET ABILITY

• Ability to facilitate interpretive activities that are holistic, participatory, dialogic and/or visitor-centred

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.

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.

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 .

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. We encourage women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of a visible minority group to self-identify in their application.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.Each person is entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.