PK AST 09R - Student Ranger Crew Lead

Government of British Columbia; Smithers; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Provincial Government seeks a Crew Lead for the BC Parks Student Ranger Program. Responsible for coordinating crew operations, guiding members on projects, and ensuring deliverables are completed. Ideal candidates are currently enrolled in school and possess leadership experience. The position requires outdoor work in various weather conditions and offers hands-on leadership training.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in full-time studies at an accredited institution.
• Experience leading a team to complete a project.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily crew operations and project planning.
• Guide Crew Members in completing projects.
• Ensure program deliverables are met.

Job description

The Team

BC Parks Student Ranger Program is a provincial youth employment initiative with crews working across multiple regions in BC’s parks and protected areas. Each crew typically includes one Crew Lead and two Crew Members, with a few locations operating as two-person teams. Crew Leads work closely with BC Parks staff, Park Rangers, and regional specialists to complete field-based projects.

The Role

The Crew Lead coordinates daily crew operations, plans aspects of projects, and acts as the primary liaison with BC Parks’ staff. They guide Crew Members in completing projects within the four (4) Program Areas of conservation, recreation, Indigenous Relations, and public outreach. Crew Leads ensure that program deliverables such as reporting and inventory tracking are completed. This role offers hands‑on leadership experience while working outdoors in a wide range of parks and protected areas. To learn even more about the BC Parks Student Ranger Program, check us out at Student Rangers.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in full-time studies at an accredited secondary or post‑secondary institution within six (6) months prior to the position start date.
• Experience leading a group of two (2) or more to complete a project or task during an academic, work, community, Nation or volunteer experience.
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.
• This position requires you to have a valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence, or an equivalent class driver's licence from another province or jurisdiction.
• Must participate and successfully pass the training requirements at the program training event held at the beginning of the work term.

Preference may be given to candidates with one (1) or more of the following:

1. A diverse range of academic, work, community, Nation or volunteer experience in at least two (2) of the four (4) Program Areas listed below:

• Public Outreach and Education: this includes experience performing public outreach and education to the public, participation in volunteer events, related studies, educational material creation, interpretive displays and/or presentations, and event planning.
• Conservation/Resource Management: this includes experience performing related academic research, field surveys and monitoring, traditional ecological knowledge, foraging, invasive plant treatment/removal, and species identification.
• Recreation/Facility Management: this includes experience performing trail enhancement, gardening/landscaping, equipment operation and maintenance, replacement and repairs to signs, monitoring the condition of existing facilities, carpentry, and facility repair and maintenance.
• Indigenous Relations and/or other diverse cultures: this includes experience learning and/or applying information and practices of your culture or that of another culture.

2. A minimum of INTERMEDIATE experience in one (1) or more of following outdoor travel and safety related areas:

• HIKING: Intermediate experience means you occasionally (every few months) hike over 5km in one day.
• CAMPING: Intermediate experience means you have camped in the backcountry (area of challenging accessibility), but the majority of your camping experience is in the front country (area of easy accessibility) within the last two (2) years.
• MULTI‑OVERNIGHT TRIP: Intermediate experience means you have planned and completed a multi-overnight trip (within the last two (2) years). This could include a hiking, kayak, canoe, ski or other related trip.
• EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Intermediate experience means you have created a trip plan and carried safety equipment (ex. first aid kit), for an outdoor personal or work trip.
• NAVIGATION: Intermediate experience means you have effectively used a navigation tool (GPS, compass or traditional form of navigation) while travelling in the outdoors to guide yourself.
• TRAVEL: Intermediate experience means you have driven a vehicle (or ATV) off a maintained road (ex. Forest Service Road) to access a recreational area (ex. park, campsite, hiking trail, lake) multiple times.
• WILDLIFE SAFETY: Intermediate experience means you have performed outdoor wildlife safety practices, which may include carrying bear spray and/or caching food out of reach of wildlife.
• RECOGNIZING AND RESOLVING SAFETY ISSUES: Intermediate experience means you have identified and/or reported a safety hazard in a workplace or a school environment.

3. Preference may be given to candidates with previous experience working in the BC Parks Student Ranger Program.

4. Preference may be given to candidates who self‑identify as Indigenous (Métis, First Nations or Inuit); this information will only be retained as part of the competition process and will not be used for other purposes.

5. Preference may be given to candidates with Basic First Aid (previously known as Occupational First Aid Level 1) and/or Transportation Endorsement certificates that will be valid for the duration of the work term length.

6. Preference may be given to candidates who have experience leading group (two (2) or more people) projects or tasks in the outdoors and/or involve a component of safety planning.

7. Preference may be given to candidates with valid certificates and training in:

• Pleasure Craft Operator Card
• Brush saw use
• VHF Radio Operator Certificate

Willingness Statements

• To wear the BC Parks’ assigned Student Ranger Crew uniform.
• To supply and wear adequate footwear for job duties, as determined by BC Parks.
• To work irregular shifts, including evenings and weekends.
• To work outdoors and potentially camp for consecutive nights.
• To work in moderate to extreme weather conditions and in remote and/or isolated locations.
• To perform physically demanding work (ex. hiking, carrying gear and equipment).
• To be responsible for day‑to‑day crew safety and respond to safety concerns and emergency incidents.
• To transport crew to and from the work sites in government vehicles.
• To operate a variety of communication equipment including 2‑way radios, satellite phones and GPS units.
• Be available for work throughout the duration of the work term, as specified by the employer.

For questions regarding this position, please contact [e-mail].

About this Position

The thirteen (13) Crew Lead locations for the 2026 season include: Victoria (Goldstream Provincial Park), Black Creek (Miracle Beach Provincial Park), North Vancouver, Squamish, Nelson, Penticton, Kamloops, Clearwater (Wells Gray Provincial Park – Trail specific position), Bella Coola, Prince George, Fort St John, Smithers, and Terrace. An eligibility list may be established for all thirteen (13) locations. Depending on the successful candidate’s location, a bi-weekly isolation allowance may apply. These positions have full time on‑site requirements. Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment. A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required. Due to recall rights of 2025 Crew Leads, not all thirteen (13) positions will be available for the 2026 season. Student Ranger Crew Lead interviews are anticipated to run throughout February and March, 2026. The Crew Lead term begins April 27th, 2026, and ends August 29th, 2026.

We are also actively recruiting for Student Ranger Crew Members via Requisition 121635.

Applicants who do not meet the mandatory job requirements should consider applying to the Recreation Sites and Trails BC Seasonal Maintenance Crews. These positions have different job requirements and are not limited to students only. Postings will be available online via the BC Government hiring webpage.

Working for the BC Public Service

The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous (First Nations [status or non‑status], Inuit, or Métis) applicants originating from the land known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

The BC Public Service is an award winning employer and offers employees great learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development options. For more information, visit What the BC Public Service Offers.

How to Apply

Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation.

Proof of Enrolment: YES

You must submit your proof of enrolment (see posting attachment “121634_2026 Proof of Enrolment Accepted Licence Equivalents.pdf”) to the Student Ranger inbox [e-mail] prior to the competition closing date/time with the email subject line “LastName_Firstname_PoE”. Applicants who do not submit their proof of enrolment before this deadline will not be considered. If there are administrative delays from your educational institution, this must be communicated to the Hiring Manager via the email address above prior to the posting close date/time.

Cover Letter: NO

Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES

Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history, including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) and your job related responsibilities for each job in your employment history. Additionally, ensure it emphasizes relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments that align with the specific job requirements and preferred qualifications listed in the job profile for this position. Resumes will be reviewed to confirm questionnaire responses and used for screening purposes.

Questionnaire: YES

You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit Technical Assistance page of MyHR.