Park Interpreter

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for an opportunity to use your skills, education and related experiences to become a Park Interpreter? Working the summer season in Alberta Parks is unlike any other – full of challenge, personal & professional growth and the opportunity to educate a spirited, fun-loving group of life-long learners who are interested in learning more about Alberta’s history and culture. If you enjoy engaging with the public, being an ambassador for the conservation of our natural environment and helping to promote sustainable and responsible recreation opportunities, you’ll want to be a part of our team!

This Forestry and Parks experience offers the opportunity to live and work in some of Alberta’s most beautiful landscapes, from grassland prairies to boreal forest, to Canadian Badlands or the Rocky Mountains.

Multiple locations in Alberta are now hiring Seasonal Interpreters to foster stewardship of recreation and conservation through engaging and informative interactions with visitors in Alberta Provincial Parks.  These programs connect adults and children with the biological and cultural diversity of Alberta’s parks and protected areas, as well as encourage safe outdoor recreation experiences. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team while demonstrating the Alberta Public Service values of respect, integrity, accountability and excellence in everything you do will be essential to your success.

As a Park Interpreter, depending on location, you may be involved in the development and/or delivery of a variety of personal programming such as curriculum driven education programming, theatrical presentations, recreational activity instruction, informal talks, guided hikes and tours, special event planning, other forms of information delivery, and public safety messaging.

Park Interpreters may also work with stewardship groups, partners and volunteers to further support the connection between local communities and the landscapes in which they live, work and play.

For more information about Park Interpreter roles and locations hiring visit: https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparks-ca/about-parks/alberta-parks-partnerships/job-profiles/park-interpreter/

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: By promoting collaboration and commitment, encourage broad thinking on projects, work together to eliminate barriers to progress, and facilitate open and respectful dialogue.

CREATIVITY AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Using a wide range of written and verbal communication techniques to promptly and professionally address issues.

AGILITY: To think creatively while working in a changing work environment.

Qualifications

Required: 
•    Two-year diploma in a related field such as interpretation, teaching, communications, performing arts or natural sciences; no experience required.

Equivalencies:
•    Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: One year of experience for one year of education, or one year of education for one year of experience. 
•    One year certificate in a related field and one year of related experience.
•    No education and two years of related experience.

Additional requirements (to be completed only if candidate is successful):
•    Valid full or GDL Class 5 Operator’s License (Class 4 for Dinosaur and Writing-On-Stone Parks).
•    Intermediate First Aid Certificate.
•    Current CPR Level "C" Certificate.
•    Defensive Driving Certificate (if required in your park location).
•    Criminal Record Check (with Vulnerable Sector Check if required in your park).
•    Driver's Abstract (5 yrs).
•    Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate.

Should any aspects of our hiring process or requirements of hire present barriers for you, please contact Parks.Interp-Recruitment@gov.ab.ca.

Continued Qualifications

Assets to this role include:
•    Indigenous knowledge/story telling. 
•    Experience, knowledge and competency in interpretation. 
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•    Creating/writing educational and informative programs.
•    Audience engagement, including children and large groups.
•    Public speaking and presentation skills.
•    Skillset in communicating complicated concepts.
•    Customer service skills.
•    Ecology and outdoor recreation activities/instruction.
•    Knowledge in: Alberta’s flora, fauna, history, recreation and resource management, legislation, responsible recreation principles and the provincial parks system.

Additional assets for this role may be specific to some parks:
•    Teaching. 
•    Performing, and/or theatrical ability for outdoor performances.
•    Familiarity with Indigenous culture, archeology and paleontology, badland/desert/river ecosystems.
•    Good physical stamina to lead 1-8 km guided ½ day-hikes, and work in remote outdoor and extreme heat affected locations.

Applicants are encouraged to clearly demonstrate their experience with the above assets in their resume and cover letter.

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

This is a full-time seasonal position for up to 36.25 hours per week for the (term of the season)

•    This is a seasonal wage opportunity with varying terms from April until October 2026 depending on location.
•    Days of the week worked will depend on the placement, but staff can expect to work weekends especially during July/August. 
•    Onsite affordable staff housing may be available for rent in the various park locations. 
•    Interviews will be held in-person January 24th/25th, 2026 and January 31st/February 1st, 2026 (long-distance applicants may be given other interview options on a case-by-case basis).

Please note that Interpreters may encounter emotionally challenging situations, participate in conflict resolution, interact with irritated or difficult visitors or provide support during emergencies events or incidents. Applicants should be prepared to manage these circumstances with composure, sound judgment, and effective communication skills. Support resources are available through our employee assistance programs.

Any costs associated with obtaining required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. 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

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/