Question: Where do Park Interpreters and Communicators live?

Answer:

• Shared unit rental housing is available for staff.
• The monthly rent is approximately $280 per month/person.  All accommodation is fully furnished, including cooking and eating utensils. You must bring your own bedding, food and cleaning supplies.
• Pets are not allowed in any seasonal government housing, unless they are working dogs (i.e., Karelian bear dogs, guide dogs).

Question: How do I apply for the position of Interpreter or Communicator?

Answer:

• The job advertisements for both Interpreters and Communicators are posted on the Alberta Parks Jobs webpage and the Government of Alberta career postings webpage, usually by mid-December or January.
• Please apply online through https://jobs.alberta.ca/. Create a candidate account to apply and track the status of your application.
• If you are interested in both positions, please apply to both separately. 
• Only ONLINE applications will be accepted.
• Provide details when identifying skills, talents or experience in any of the aspects advertised as valuable for this position. For example, if you have public speaking skills or experience, you must provide details such as where and when you obtained them and to what extent you practiced them. 
• Note that skills, talents or experience can be obtained from a wide range of opportunities including education, employment, volunteering, clubs and hobbies. Resumes that do not adequately and clearly represent a candidate’s related skills and abilities may not be given further consideration.
• For additional information, please review the application process.

Question: How much does the job pay?

Answer:

Starting wage is commensurate with specific responsibilities, location and experience. For most Interpreter positions, starting wage is $29.42/hr plus 11.2% holiday & vacation pay in lieu of benefits. For most Communicator positions, starting wage will be $21.67/hr plus 11.2% holiday and vacation pay. These wages could fluctuate year to year based on union negotiations.

Additional pay for evenings and weekends includes $3.25/hr for all hours worked on Saturdays and Sundays and $2.75/hr when at least one-half of the shift falls after 4:00 p.m. Premium pay is also available for late shifts on Fridays.

Question: I understand that I would need an acceptable "Criminal Records Check" prior to being offered a position. What is that?

Answer:

• Before being offered a position, you must provide a letter of clearance from a police agency proving that you have not been charged with a criminal offence. We'll clarify the process for obtaining a Criminal Records Check at the time of the interview. 
• Successful candidates who provide a receipt for Criminal Records Check expenses will be reimbursed.

Question: What is the duration of the job?

Answer:

Approximately from the start of May to the September long weekend. Individual parks may vary somewhat and offer shorter or longer terms depending on their needs. See Park Descriptions for more information.

Question: Where will I be placed?

Answer:

• Our priority is to accommodate your preferences regarding parks with placements. However, we also place people based on the best match of skills and personalities for the program and existing team.
• In the case of limited position availability, flexibility in your preferred location may be a factor in being chosen as a successful candidate.

Question: Which parks are you recruiting to?

Answer:

• The parks with interpreter positions available varies from year to year because we place our returning seasonal interpreters before filling vacancies. In 2023, positions may be available in Kananaskis country, Dinosaur, Writing-On-Stone, Cypress Hills, Beauvais Lake, Castle, Miquelon Lake, Crimson Lake, Pigeon Lake, William A. Switzer, Saskatoon Island, Young's Point, Lesser Slave Lake, Cold Lake, and Sir Winston Churchill provincial parks. This may change at any time.
• For further details on the positions available, check park placement descriptions.  You may also visit www.albertaparks.ca to learn more about each park.

Question: What should I expect in the interview?

Answer:

• Interviews will be in-person in 2023, at the end of January/beginning of February. There will be four, full-day group interview workshops taking place both in Calgary and Edmonton, typically over a weekend. Accommodations for an online interview may be discussed with the interview panel if need be.
• These interviews consist of a question and answer interview, as well as a series of presentation-based activities, some of which candidates will prepare prior to their interview. These help us evaluate your skills, knowledge and suitability to be a Park Interpreter. Aside from specific skills and knowledge, we’re looking for people with a strong balance of presentation and natural science skills, as well as the ability to engage visitors.
• Each candidate is scored throughout the day to determine if they qualify for a position. Note: not everyone who qualifies is guaranteed a position as there are limited openings.
• We try to make the interview enjoyable.  Participants generally comment that they enjoyed the process.  

Question: What certifications do I need to have and when?

Answer:

Upgraded Driver’s License Requirement

At the interview in early February, you must present proof that you already have:

The Alberta Class 5-Full (needed to obtain a Class 4 bus license) or Graduated Driver's License or out-of-province equivalent. For more information: http://transportation.alberta.ca/543.htm

• If you accept a job offer you must have the following before your first day of work:
• For positions at Dinosaur, Cypress Hills and Writing-On-Stone a valid Alberta Class 4 Driver’s License (or out-of-province equivalent) is needed to operate 24-seat buses. This license requires a doctor’s medical report, followed by a knowledge test and a road test at an Alberta Registry agent. We do not reimburse for Driver’s License expenses. All other parks require a Class 5-Full or Graduated Driver’s License.
• a valid Defensive Driving Certificate may be required for your park: a 1-day course on a weekend is available through AMA and is recommended. If obtaining online, please use Fleet Safety International: defensivedriving.ca. We do not reimburse Defensive Driving Certificate expenses.
• a valid certificate for Standard First Aid with Level C CPR. We do not reimburse First Aid Certificate expenses.
• a current Driver’s Abstract, less than 60 days old as of April 30^th, (current year). We reimburse Driver’s Abstract expenses for candidates who are hired and submit a proper receipt.

NOTE: If your current certificates expire before Sept. 5, 2023, please renew them before April 30.

Question: What is the difference between the role of a Park Interpreter and a Park Communicator?

Answer:

• The difference between these two job classifications is in the complexity and responsibility of each position. 
• The Park Communicator role is an excellent entry-level opportunity for the delivery of interpretive programs that are already written and developed. Communicators may also deliver information to visitors at visitor centres.
• Park Interpreters are required to research, write and develop new programs, as well as present a wide array of educational and interpretive programs. Interpreters may need to work independently and have added responsibilities of delivering longer programs, with larger audience sizes, and greater public safety considerations. 
• It is common for a successful applicant to work their first season as a Park Communicator and, with demonstrated proficiency, return the following season as a Park Interpreter.  In this sense, the Park Communicator position provides a valuable opportunity for personal growth in the field of interpretation within Alberta Parks.

Question: Will I receive training?

Answer:

• It is mandatory for all new interpreters to attend a province-wide training workshop at the beginning of May.
• Interpreters must be prepared to be away at a camp setting for up to three days at the beginning of May.
• Room and board, and transportation will be provided.  You will be paid to attend the training workshop.

Question: Do I need a private vehicle?

Answer:

• Where provided, government vehicles are for work purposes only and may not be used for personal business.
• It is recommended that you have a private vehicle for personal use in all locations.  
• Given where they're located, you MUST have a private vehicle at certain parks in order to take care of your personal needs (e.g. buying groceries). These parks include: David Thompson Corridor, Dinosaur, Kananaskis Country, Lesser Slave Lake, Miquelon Lake, Pigeon Lake, Saskatoon Island, Sir Winston Churchill, William A. Switzer and Writing-on- Stone/Áísínai’pi.

Question: Will I need to wear a uniform?

Answer:

Yes. We expect staff to present a professional, presentable image to our public. A uniform is provided, and you are expected to wear it and adhere to our uniform policy when working.

The cost of footwear is not covered.  You are responsible for providing your own appropriate and presentable footwear (dark-coloured hikers or casual shoes). You may not wear sneakers or sandals with the uniform.

Uniform pants will need to be purchased on your own.  Guidelines on the type of pant will be sent to you prior to commencement but they are typically black, and technical in style and function.

Question: What is the work schedule like and what are the days off?

Answer:

• In most parks, Interpreters work 7.25 hours per day and 36.25 hours per week. Interpreters are expected to work all weekends in July and August with, in some parks, up to four evening shifts per week.
• Because this is a seasonal position, we require staff to be available for the entire summer (with the exception of regular days off). Candidates who need to take more than an additional two days off during the summer may not be considered for a position.
• Staff will receive two consecutive weekdays off per week (Mon/Tues, Tues/Wed or Wed/Thurs, depending on the park). The exception is May and June, during which days off may be Sat/Sun.