Parks Canada careers: where passion meets purpose.

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. Ontario's historic canals are defining features of Canada, governed by Parks Canada who protects and presents these special places to all who visit them.

You might be wondering why you would come to work for the Parks Canada Agency? To join a team of passionate people who care about 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 and canals.

For more specific information please visit our website https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/index.

Ontario's historic canals are defining features of Canada, governed by Parks Canada who protects and presents these special places to all who visit them.

As a part of Parks Canada, the Ontario Waterways Unit is responsible for both the Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Sites.

From the heart of Canada’s capital, the historic Rideau Canal waterway winds south from Ottawa through towns, farms and woodlands for 202 kilometres (126 miles) towards Kingston on Lake Ontario. Constructed after the War of 1812 on fears of an American expansion across the St. Lawrence River, the Rideau Canal served as an alternative shipping route between Montréal and Kingston.

The working canal, with its 19th century locks and structures, links rivers and lakes with man-made channels - an ideal landscape for outdoor activities and glimpses of Old Ontario.

⏰ Closing date: 3 February 2025 - 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

We encourage you to submit your application promptly, as applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Duties

If you have ever wanted to work for Parks Canada on the Rideau Canal (RC) now is your chance! 

Parks Canada is looking for energetic individuals to join our team who enjoy working outdoors and with the public, to fill lock/bridge operator positions. As a team member you will work at one (or more) lock station(s)/bridge sites where you and your co-workers will be responsible for: operating locks, bridges, and dam controls as required to allow vessels to pass through the locks and navigate the canals while ensuring the safety of both staff and the public; completing administrative duties including reports and forms;  maintaining the grounds and lock station facilities, structures, equipment and machinery; providing customer service/ selling permits to clients and visitors, responding to inquiries and providing information about Parks Canada and its canal/waterway facilities, structures, equipment and machinery. You will help them make a real and lasting connection to these special places under Parks Canada’s care.

You will perform these duties mostly outdoors, in various weather conditions, for up to 10 hours a day, six to seven days a week, including weekends and statutory holidays (at one or more locations on the canal). The nature of the position can be physically demanding as many of our lock stations, dams and bridges are operated manually.

The navigation season runs from early-May to mid-October. The season is split into three (3) main timeframes, as follows:

• Spring Season: early May until mid-June - up to 6 days a week working
• Core Season: mid-June until Labour day - up to 6 days a week working
• Fall Season : Labour day until mid-October - up to 7 days a week working

The Rideau Canal (RC) is broken into two areas/work units: 

RC North - Ottawa to Smiths Falls, ON (Locks 1-27)

RC South - Kingston to Smiths Falls, ON (Locks 29-49)

Intent of the process

This is an anticipatory process with the goal of building a qualified pool of candidates to draw from as vacancies arise. We are seeking candidates available for the entire period from May to October. 

Most of the positions for the 2025 season will be term (temporary), with the potential to become permanent.

This process is intended to fill anticipated vacancies with the same work description, at various locations across the waterway.

Positions to be filled: To be determined.

🎓 Education :

Successful completion of secondary school or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience. Degree equivalency

🗣️ Language requirements:

Various language requirements:

·         - English Essential

·         - Bilingual Imperative – level --B/--B

✨ Experience: 

- Experience providing customer service.
- Experience completing maintenance work/tasks such as (but not limited to) cleaning, grounds keeping, painting, maintaining lawn equipment;

Experiences considered as an asset: 

- Experience in the role of Lock Operator and/or Lock Operating Assistant or within operations at Parks Canada Historic Canals.

Knowledge:

- Knowledge of occupational health and safety;

- Knowledge of grounds, building, and equipment maintenance, practices and procedures.

⚙️ Abilities:

- Ability to use technology:

- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

🧠 Competencies:

- Demonstrating integrity and respect.
- Thinking things through.
- Working efficiently with others.
- Showing initiative and being action oriented.

📋 Operational requirements: 

-  Willingness to wear a Parks Canada uniform and Personal Protective Equipment, when required;

-  Willing and able to do work that involves strenuous physical labour;

-  Willingness to be mobile as reporting work site may vary;

-  Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions;

-  Willing and able to obtain and maintain a valid Standard First Aid certification before employment starts;

-  Willingness to do work that involves working weekends and holidays, up to seven days a week, up to ten hours per day, on a varying schedule, including stand-by and call back;

-  Must be available for the duration of the reporting period; 

📝 Conditions of employment:

- Obtain and maintain Reliability Status security clearance;

- Possession of a valid Ontario Class “G” or “G2” driver’s license, or a provincial/territorial equivalent;

- This position is designated as safety sensitive, and the incumbent will be required to comply with the Agency’s zero tolerance policy and report fit for duty.

Accommodation

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 send an email to rhvnts-tswhr@pc.gc.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on assessment accommodation

Organizational Needs

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, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of a visible minority group to self-identify in their application.

Reasons to work for Parks Canada

	Work-life balance Employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance, including flexible work arrangements at many locations.
	Training and professional development We offer various training and professional development opportunities, allowing you to enhance your skills and advance your career.
	Beautiful work locations Parks Canada offers the opportunity to work in some of the most stunning natural environments in the country.

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.

🏆 Parks Canada is proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of Canada's Best Employers.