Trails & Backcountry Team Lead

Role Responsibilities

Are you ready to lead one of the most dynamic and rewarding outdoor recreation programs in Alberta? As the Trails and Backcountry Team Lead for the Kananaskis Region of Alberta Parks, you will be at the forefront of shaping sustainable, world-class trail and backcountry experiences for Albertans and visitors alike.

This is more than a job; it is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in one of Alberta’s most cherished outdoor landscapes. In this role, you will lead diverse and skilled teams in delivering a comprehensive, year-round program that supports safe, accessible, and environmentally responsible outdoor recreation. This work directly contributes to Alberta’s growing tourism economy across varied terrain, spanning the Lower Foothills through to the Alpine Subregion. 

Critical aspects of the role include:

Leading with purpose: Provide strategic direction and operational oversight to multiple teams responsible for trail and backcountry maintenance, infrastructure design and construction, including winter operations including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. 
Being a collaboration champion: Build and nurture critical relationships with local communities, volunteer agencies, and a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring trails and recreation stewardship are focused on achieving mutual success.
Innovating: Drive innovation at this unique point in history, with opportunities to spearhead initiatives that improve data management, enhance trail sustainability, and modernize organizational approaches, ensuring continuous improvement across all work units.
Managing operational complexity: The position will balance leadership, planning, budgeting, and risk management to deliver successful outcomes in an evolving landscape and environment. 

This role is ideal for a leader with a deep appreciation for Alberta’s natural landscapes and the ability to manage increasingly complex field operations. The successful candidate will possess a unique blend of technical trail-building knowledge, an understanding of snow science and its impact on the development of world-class winter recreation opportunities, and expertise in stakeholder diplomacy. They will not only love being outdoors and consider it their happy place but also be excited to spend weeks in the office, driven by a commitment to public service and the complexities that this rewarding role provides. 

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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.

Qualifications

Two-year technical diploma in civil engineering, natural resource management or outdoor recreation leadership may be considered along with 6 or more years of related experience supervising multi-disciplinary teams in field and operational contexts. 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education. Special Requirement: Physically able to perform the manual duties found in the position assignment

A valid Class 5 driver's license is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships, engage communities, and foster collaboration across diverse groups.
• Thorough knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety legislation, along with other key legislation, policies, and guidelines, such as those related to species at risk and avian protection (e.g. Migratory Birds Convention Act) is essential. Familiarity with land and resource management legislation including, but not limited to, the Provincial Parks Act, the Public Lands Act, Historical Resources Act, Fisheries Act, is also required.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, including planning, coordinating, and evaluating complex initiatives.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage teams, guide change, and hold self and others accountable for results.

Assets:

• Experience in trails or backcountry operations, outdoor recreation planning, or environmental stewardship.
• Knowledge of government policies, processes, and decision-making frameworks.
• Professional designations or certifications such as Project Management (PMP).

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

Hours of work are Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week. Some weekend or evening work may be required depending on operational priorities.

Candidates must be physically capable of performing the essential duties of the position such as lifting, hiking on uneven terrain, operating equipment, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

What the GoA has to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.