Palaeontology Interpretation Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Visitor Engagement Supervisor, the Palaeontology Interpretation Specialist collaborates with the Visitor Services team in the development, planning and delivery of programs for the public, particularly guided paleontological excavations for the public.

Key Specialist Duties
These primary duties focus on palaeontology expertise and team mentorship.

•    Palaeontology Program Leadership: Lead the development, organization, delivery, and evaluation of guided palaeontological excavation programs for the public.
•    Program Development: Conduct research and provide subject matter expertise to assist the Visitor Services team in the development and planning of high-quality interpretive, outreach, and/or curriculum-based public programming.
•    Resource Protection: Assist supervisory and land and resource management teams in facilitating landscape and fossil resource protection.
•    Mentorship: Educate and mentor seasonal interpreters in palaeontology to support their ongoing professional development.

General Interpreter Activities
Interpreters are the face of the park, guiding visitors on a variety of programs about its natural, geological, and human history. Program formats include:

•    Educational Programs: Delivering programs for the general public and school groups including

o    Guided Tours: Leading tours on 24-passenger buses.
o    Guided Hikes: Leading 1 to 4 hour, 1-to-8-kilometer hikes through the badlands.
o    Indoor Programs: Delivery of 1 to 2 our programs inside the Visitor Center. 
o    Drop-in Programs: Delivery of free, all ages, drop in experiences at various locations around the park.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

BUILD COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS: To lead and contribute to the conditions and environment that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

AGILITY: To understand the need to incorporate change into work and be open to new ideas while accepting change as part of how work processes need to evolve in order to be effective.

CREATIVITY AND PROBLEM SOLVING: To assess options and implications in new ways in order to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

•    Education: University graduation in a Palaeontology (inclusive of relevant course work from a variety of program titles including Paleontology, Biology, Geology, Natural Resource Management, etc.)
OR
•    Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and related experience. (One year of education may be substituted for one year of experience, or vice versa.)

Additional requirements (to be completed only if candidate is successful): 
•    Valid Standard First Aid & CPR Level C certification.
•    Valid WHMIS 2015 Certificate.
•    A Valid Class 4 Driver’s License (or equivalent commercial license).
•    A 5-year Driver’s Abstract (issued within 30 days of application) with no more than 8 demerits (4 demerits for a Graduated Driver’s License).
•    A satisfactory Criminal Record Check.
•    Experience working in remote outdoor settings and under extreme heat conditions.

Continued Qualifications

Assets and Desirable Experience:
Applicants are encouraged to clearly demonstrate their experience in the following areas through their resume and cover letter:

Palaeontological Field Work 
•    Previous experience in palaeontological excavation including setting up excavation sites and mapping
•    Experience in Alberta preferred 
•    Experience in bonebeds preferred  
•    Experience leading groups and teaching about excavation is strongly preferred

Interpretation & Mentorship
•    Previous experience mentoring, teaching, or leading a team. 
•    Previous experience in interpretation or guiding.
•    Previous experience in program development, planning, and evaluation.

Park & Environment
•    Previous experience working at Dinosaur Provincial Park. 
•    Knowledge of the park's palaeontological history, natural, cultural, including badlands, desert, and/or river ecosystems, and as well as its facilities and services.

Technical & Soft Skills
•    Proficient computer skills using MS Office (Word and Excel), photo editing software, geospatial software. 
•    Excellent customer service, communication, and presentation skills. 
•    Demonstrated organizational, time management, and teamwork skills.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

About Your Work Environment

•    This is a seasonal wage opportunity with varying terms from May until September 2026, with possible extension depending on operational needs.
•    Positions are based out of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
•    There are shared onsite staff housing available for rent, no pets.
•    This position is required to work shift work which includes weekends, evenings and holidays.
•    Shifts are 7.25 hours per day, up to a 36.25-hour work week. 
•    Criminal Record Check will be required for the successful candidate.
•    Interviews for successful candidates will be conducted online between January 12 and January 16, 2026.

Please attach your cover letter.

Instructions for your Resume:
•    Include date ranges (month and year) associated with all education and work experience – we are unable to assess resumes without this information. 
•    Indicate whether your work experience was casual, part-time or full-time.
•    Example: Camp Counsellor: Jan 2016 – June 2019 (PT, 3 eight-hour shifts per week).

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive 
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Mentorship Programs.

Resources for applicants:
•    https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx
•    https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/