Bear Technician

Role Responsibilities

Kananaskis County is looking to hire three Bear Technicians to join a small group of dedicated Conservation Officers and park staff committed to maintaining public and bear safety.

Under the direction of the Human Wildlife Coexistence Team Lead and Conservation Officer team, you will obtain and document daily bear locations throughout the Kananaskis area both visually and with the use of telemetry equipment. You will investigate and respond to bear sightings, as well as monitor bears near facility and highways. You will also be applying conditioning techniques on bears to maintain public and bear safety. Throughout these responsibilities, you will regularly interact with the public providing information and education.

This is a front-line customer service role that focuses on day-to-day operations of the larger Kananaskis Information Program, including handling visitor inquiries at the Visitor Information Centre, performing retail sales, issuing Kananaskis Conservation Passes, cash-in/cash-out procedures, compiling and posting Regional trail data from staff and users, editing data on the Alberta Parks website, and responding to requests through email, phone, social media, and mail.

Primary responsibilities of the Bear Technicians will be to:

•    Monitor marked and collared grizzly bears near facility zones and natural areas.
•    Respond to grizzly bears in and around facility zones or along roadsides.
•    Coordinate management actions to shepherd bears out of "red zones" (also known as "no go zones") as required.
•    Interact with the public in association with responses to bear encounters and sightings.
•    Maintain accurate records of bear sightings and management actions.
•    Fulfill regularly scheduled work shifts which best complement the schedules of Conservation Officers and other staff.
•    Respond to bear reports and sightings, allowing Conservations Officers to respond to serious occurrences, such as public safety incidents, enforcement, or land management issues.
•    Coordinate with staff to deliver and circulate daily updates of bear locations and activity. 
•    Manage GPS collar and report bear data.

Secondary responsibilities of the Bear Technicians will be to:
•    Respond to grizzly bear reports/complaints outside of the primary response area (e.g. Canmore, East Kananaskis) and to any other wildlife complaints.
•    Assist with any serious bear incidents in the Kananaskis region. 
•    Remove Buffalo Berry and other attractants in targeted areas.
•    Safely check on deployed bear traps. 
•    Assist with capture and handling of bears as required.

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.

Agility – ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Build Collaborative Environments – leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Systems Thinking – understands how the work done is part of a larger integrated environment. Looks beyond own area and considers how own work impacts the work and success of others.

Creative Problem Solving – ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Develop Self and Others – a commitment to learning and the desire to invest in the development of the capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

Required:

•    High School Diploma 
•    One year of related experience with wildlife management. Three plus years of related experience would be considered an asset.
•    Preference for post-secondary education related to Natural Resource Management, Biology or a related field. 
•    Valid Canadian Firearms License.

Equivalency: 
•    Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of one year of experience for one year of education OR one year of education for one year of experience.

Additional Requirements:
•    Extensive knowledge of bear safety.
•    A valid Alberta Class 5 Driver's License or equivalent.
•    Final candidates will be required to provide a standard 3-year Driver’s Abstract prior to commencement. 
•    Prior to hire, recognized current intermediate standard First Aid and CPR Level "C"/AED Certificate will be needed.
•    Must be available for the full term of employment.

Assets:
•    Experience working with large carnivores in a research or management capacity, in the Kananaskis area.
•    Experience with Firearms. 
•    Wildlife Chemical Immobilization experience.
•    Knowledge of aversive conditioning techniques and the Kananaskis area.
•    Experience communicating to the public.
•    Experience with radio telemetry and mapping techniques.

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

Terms of Employment
•    This seasonal employment is from May 1st through October 2026.
•    Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week, 7.25 hours per day.
•    May be required to work weekends and evenings.
•    Travel within the Kananaskis Region will be required.
•    Prior to hire, recognized current intermediate Standard First Aid and CPR Level "C"/AED Certificate is needed. 
•    Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License or equivalent will be required. 
•    Final candidates will be required to provide a standard 3-year Driver’s Abstract prior to commencement.
•    Valid Canadian Firearms License.
•    Staff housing may be available.

Any initial costs associated with obtaining required documents/checks as noted will be the responsibility of the candidate. However, some reimbursements may occur. Interview travel expenses will not be reimbursed. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

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).

Continued Notes

What We offer:

•    Cultural Awareness and Support: We recognize the significance of Indigenous cultural practices and will work with employees to ensure they have the flexibility and support needed to participate in ceremonies, traditions, and other cultural commitments.
      o    Indigenous candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Alberta Parks is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals.
•    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/