AIS Watercraft inspector

Role Responsibilities

We have several exciting opportunities to join the AIS program for the 2026 watercraft inspection season. If you are comfortable approaching new people, can handle pressure well, are able to work outdoors for long hours and enjoy working with the public, this may be the job for you!

As a Watercraft Inspector, your duties will include: 

•    Interviewing watercraft owners to determine the risk the conveyance poses to Alberta’s waterbodies.
•    Thoroughly inspecting the interior and exterior of various types of watercrafts for the presence of AIS.
•    Educating the public about the threat of AIS, particularly invasive mussels.
•    Communicating with and providing “Clean Drain Dry” outreach materials to the public with the aim to change boater behavior and reduce the spread of AIS.  
•    Towing and backing up trailers and operating a high-pressure hot water decontamination unit for cleaning boats.
•    As an appointed Fishery Guardian, issuing Quarantine Orders for AIS fouled or suspected fouled watercraft.

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.

How Competencies will apply to this role:

Build Collaborative Environments: Contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve desired outcomes of the campaign.  Proven ability to engage people in conversations while educating the public on the province’s AIS program and the threat of the introduction of zebra and quagga mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and other invaders.

Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to assess options and implications for troubleshooting technical problems and to inform decisions regarding watercraft quarantine.

Agility: Demonstrates ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities and effectively work in a changing environment. The ability to work in other stations and under variable environmental conditions is required.

Drive for Results: Must be self-motivated and highly organized to work without daily supervision and successfully deliver this component of the AIS program.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

A completed high school diploma plus some related experience (i.e. up to 12 months).

Additional Requirements:

The following conditions are not required at the time of application but must be provided prior to your start date. 

•    A valid 3-year commercial driver’s abstract or an equivalent Canadian license.  
•    A valid Standard First Aid certificate with CPR certification (Level C).
•    A Valid Criminal Record Check.

Related experience:
•    Experience in the maintenance of small engines, pumps, and equipment.
•    Watercraft knowledge gained through boating or other experience.
•    Experience with or demonstrated training in aquatic invasive species inspections and/or prevention. 
•    Experience with conflict and high-pressure environments.

Application Information:
•    In your application, please include a cover letter detailing your interest and role-related experience. 
•    In your resume include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Foreman (PT three 8-hour shifts/week).
•    Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

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 competition is recruiting for seasonal wage position located across Alberta- 36.25 hours per week. 
•    Length of employment is dependent upon program budget and the station selected. Some positions may be required from April 1st through October 31st, 2026.
•    Please note that in order to work with the boating public and accommodate high traffic times and seasons, you will be required to work a flexible schedule that includes travel, shift and weekend work, potentially throughout the spring and into late fall. The Coutts and Dunmore inspection stations operate 20-24 hours a day. As such, employees at these locations will be regularly required to work overnight shifts.

Sites will be on major highways, and locations could include:
•    BURMIS
•    CARWAY
•    COLD LAKE
•    COUTTS
•    DEL BONITA 
•    DUNMORE 
•    HINTON
•    JUMPING POUND
•    HANNA
•    ROVING CREW (based in Lethbridge)
•    VERMILION
•    WAINWRIGHT
•    CHIEF MOUNTAIN

Sites will be assigned according to staff seniority and station preference.

What We Offer: 
•    Wage employees receive 11.6% in addition to regular wage earnings in lieu of paid holidays and vacation leave:  
o    5.6% of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays  
o    6% of regular wage earnings instead of annual vacation pay 
Shift differential and opportunity to work overtime, evening, and weekend shifts

Overall Recruitment Process and Application Requirements
Step 1 - Online application submission 
•    Resume 
o    Your resume should indicate date ranges (month and year) for all education and work experience, specifying if the experience was casual, part-time (PT), or full-time (FT), while highlighting applicable duties or achievements. 
For example, Wildland Firefighter: Apr 2019 – Aug 2019 (PT, 20 hours per week). 
•    Answer to application pre-screen questions

Step 2 – Virtual Panel Interview Assessment 
•    Applicants who successfully pass the screening phase will be invited to a virtual interview session. 
•    Interviews will consist of behavioural competency, technical and situational based questions 
•    Candidates are required to upload a copy of their completed pre-employment forms, including the academic and reference consent form and reference list containing three (3) work-related references.

Continued Notes

Step 3 – Pre-employment Checks 
•    References and post-secondary checks (if applicable) 
•    Final candidates must pass a criminal records check.

Step 4 – Extend a Job Offer 
•    Complete and provide proof that all conditions of employment have been met prior to the first day of work

Step 5 – Training and Orientation

Estimated Timelines 
•    November – December 31st: Application deadline (job posting now closed)
•    Mid December – January: Virtual interview sessions commence
•    January to March– Job offers are extended  
•    April to May – Training and orientation scheduled 

All chosen candidates will be required to successfully complete mandatory training. Training is scheduled for April 2026. Site Leads will also be required to attend Decontamination Training in mid-April.

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.

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 
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance

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/