Summary
Description
The Team
The BC Parks Auxiliary Park Rangers are a dedicated team committed to delivering outstanding public service while safeguarding the natural and cultural values of BC’s parks. This established team of approximately 65 auxiliary rangers works alongside 134 regular park rangers across the province, collaborating with Park Operators, Indigenous Guardians, BC Parks program staff, and other government agencies. Together, they protect BC’s parks and provide safe, enjoyable experiences for all visitors. With a strong focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, the team values passion, dedication, and flexibility as they work to make BC’s parks accessible and welcoming to everyone.
The Role
As a BC Parks Auxiliary Park Ranger, you’ll be on the front line of supporting both the conservation of natural spaces and the enjoyment of BC’s parks by the public. This role combines hands-on maintenance with public engagement, ensuring park facilities are well-kept, clean, and accessible to all visitors. You’ll handle daily upkeep, including cleaning, repairs, and facility renovations, while also monitoring the park’s assets to keep the area pristine. Representing BC Parks, you’ll interact directly with visitors and contractors, offering information, guidance, and enforcing park rules to ensure safety and protect park values.
Your work will be varied and impactful, involving not only public outreach but also conservation and compliance activities that preserve BC’s landscapes and create positive experiences for everyone. As a Peace Officer, you’ll uphold the Park Act and other statutes, making you a key player in maintaining order and protecting the park environment. This role offers a truly unique opportunity to work outdoors, connect with diverse communities, and be part of a passionate team dedicated to the environment and to BC’s beautiful parklands.
Visit the BC Parks Park Ranger Careers webpage to learn more about Park Ranger opportunities in British Columbia.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements
- Completed related degree or 2-year diploma in an Outdoor Recreation Management or a Natural Resource Management related field (related field may include: Biology, Geology, Geography, Recreational Planning, Outdoor Recreation, Forestry, Fisheries, Anthropology); OR,
- Secondary school graduation (or equivalent) and 2 years’ related experience (related experience can include: park system (operations), conservation, outdoor recreation, forestry, any earth sciences, recreation planning, public safety /enforcement).
Preference may be given to those with one or more of the following:
- Experience maintaining and safely using hand tools, power tools, brush-cutters, chainsaws and winches.
- Experience maintaining and safely operating boats and other vessels on the ocean, lakes, and rivers.
- Experience maintaining and safely operating ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, 4X4 pick-up trucks, and other off-road vehicles and trailers.
- Experience working in and around aircraft including helicopters, float planes, and commercial charter aircraft.
- Experience building facilities and undertaking construction projects.
- Experience safely handling firearms, managing human-wildlife conflict, and using bear traps, aversive conditioning, chemical immobilization and euthanasia to resolve wildlife conflict or dispatch injured wildlife.
- Experience with conducting multi-day backpack or marine excursions, including living and working in inclement or adverse weather conditions, performing physical labour, and hiking long distances carrying heavy packs or equipment.
- Experience using electronic equipment including satellite phones, GPS devices, tablets, smartphones, desktop and laptop computers, portable radios and other electronic communication devices.
- Experience working alone or in isolation.
- Experience in researching, reviewing and complying with safety related legislation, regulations and policy, including PPE requirements, check-in requirements, safety program policy compliance and other safety program experience.
- Experience working in diverse and multi-faceted team environments with co-workers, supervisors, partners, volunteers, other agencies and the public to accomplish projects and goals.
- Experience in managing the public, addressing non-compliance, enforcing regulations, providing education, and dealing with contentious issues in high stress circumstances.
- Experience applying compliance tools, and taking enforcement actions including issuing warnings, violation tickets, evictions, administrative penalties and sanctions, and preparing investigative packages.
- Experience identifying and taking action to repair or mitigate hazardous conditions and responding to emergencies.
- Experience working previously as a park ranger or student ranger for BC Parks.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory Training & Certification:
- Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence (or equivalent from another Canadian Province; a BC Class 7L/7N, or other learner’s permit, are not considered equivalent).
- Current and WorkSafe BC recognized Occupational First Aid (previously OFA 1), Intermediate First Aid (previously OFA 2) or Advanced First Aid (previously OFA 3) Certificate with transportation endorsement.
- Successful completion of Enhanced Security Screening, including fingerprint screening.
- Completion of BC Parks Law and Its Administration (BCIT PRKS 1010 or 0010 course). This course can be obtained through the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT). Course information can be found at: https://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/prks1010.
Note: if you have already successfully completed the BCIT PRKS 3110/3120 courses, BCIT course 1010 is not required.
- Maintains a current Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence.
- Possesses a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or higher marine certification issued by Transport Canada.
Other Training that may be Required Depending on Location:
- Marine Radio Operator’s Certification
- Swift Water Rescue Training Course
- S100 – Fire Suppression (fire suppression training)
- ATV operator training course
- Avalanche Safety Training (AST 1 or higher)
- Chainsaw Safety Training course
- Wildlife/Danger Tree Assessor certification
- Snowmobile Operator training course
For questions regarding this position, please contact Chris.Price@gov.bc.ca.
About this Position:
Applicants who do not fully meet the required qualifications may be considered for this position, but at a lower classification.
An eligibility list may be established.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.
Depending on the successful candidate’s location, a bi-weekly isolation allowance may apply.
Enhanced Security Screening will be required.
New Park Ranger hires will be required to travel for the purpose of attending mandatory Park Ranger training commencing April 28 to May 9, 2025 at Manning Provincial Park near Hope, BC. Details on this training session will be confirmed in the offer letter for successful candidates.
These are auxiliary opportunities in various locations, which may include (but are not limited to) the following: West Coast Region (Victoria, Parksville, Black Creek, Port McNeill*); South Coast Region (North Vancouver, Squamish, Cultus Lake, Sechelt); Thompson Cariboo Region (Kamloops, Bowron Lake [Quesnel], Williams Lake, Hagensborg*); Kootenay Okanagan Region (Penticton, Vernon, Manning Park, Nelson, Cranbrook); North Coast Skeena Region (Atlin*, Dease Lake*, Smithers*, Terrace, Prince Rupert); Omineca Peace Region (Fort St John, Fort Nelson*, Prince George, Valemount*, Moberly Lake, Liard River*) the * denotes a bi-weekly isolation allowance add to pay. (Refer to Auxiliary Park Ranger Location Appendix below).
Board and lodging and relocation expenses are not provided for auxiliary opportunities. Some locations may provide accommodations, see location appendix for more details.
Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.
The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.
The BC Public Service is an award-winning employer and offers employees competitive benefits, amazing learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development opportunities. For more information, please see What We Offer.
To learn more about these B.C communities you can click on the Hello BC link here!
How to Apply:
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed above. Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting.
Cover Letter: NO – Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.
Resume: YES – Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.
Questionnaire: YES – You will need to complete a comprehensive questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Include all relevant information about your educational accomplishments and employment history including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and how you obtained your relevant experience. The questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.