PK AST 09R – Park Assistant

The Team:
The BC Parks Auxiliary Park Assistants 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 4 Park assistants work in Garibaldi Provincial Park as part of the Garibaldi Backcountry Services Program which BC Parks started in the summer of 2023. Garibaldi Provincial Park is world class park of 195,000-hectare mountain wilderness just 64 kilometres north of Vancouver. Garibaldi Park is a favourite year-round destination for many outdoor enthusiasts and, in the summer, offers over 90 km of established hiking trails and back-country camping at its popular campgrounds. This program focusses on the Garibaldi Lake Area of Garibaldi Park which is primarily accessed from the Rubble Creek trailhead. This team of park assistants works alongside 4 Park Rangers in Garibaldi Park, collaborating with 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. Learn more at BC Parks.

The Role:
As a BC Parks Auxiliary Park Assistant, you are on the front line of supporting both the conservation of natural spaces and the enjoyment of Garibaldi Park 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 will 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 interact directly with visitors and contractors, offering information and guidance to ensure safety and protect park values. As a member of this crew, you will be stationed out of the Garibaldi lake Ranger station for up to ten (10) days at a time, primarily working in and between the Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows Campgrounds. Your work will be varied and impactful, involving not only public outreach, but also conservation and maintenance activities that preserve BC’s landscapes and create positive experiences for everyone. 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.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements:

• Secondary school graduation (or equivalent) and one (1) year of related experience. Related experience can include: park system (operations), conservation, outdoor recreation, forestry, recreation planning, public safety/enforcement; OR, an equivalent to or greater than combination of education and experience.
• Current and WorkSafe BC recognized Occupational First Aid Level Basic (OFA 1), Intermediate (OFA 2) or Advanced (OFA 3) Certificate.
• Experience with the Microsoft suite of software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Experience working independently without supervision.
• This position requires you to have a valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence, or an equivalent class driver’s licence from another province or jurisdiction.
• Must participate and successfully pass the training requirements at the program training event.

Preference may be given to candidates with one (1) or more of the following: 

• A diverse range of academic, work, community, Nation, or volunteer experience in at least one of the four Program Areas listed below:
  • Recreation/Facility Management: this includes experience performing trail enhancement, gardening/landscaping, equipment operation and maintenance, replacement, and repairs to signs, monitoring the condition of existing facilities, carpentry, and facility repair and maintenance.
  • Conservation/Resource Management: this includes experience performing related academic research, field surveys and monitoring, traditional ecological knowledge, foraging, invasive plant treatment/removal, and species identification.
  • Public Outreach and Education: this includes experience performing public outreach and education to the public, participation in volunteer events, related studies, educational material creation, interpretive displays and/or presentations, and event planning.
  • Indigenous Relations and/or other diverse cultures: this includes experience learning and/or applying information and practices of your culture or that of another culture.
     
• A minimum of INTERMEDIATE experience in one or more of following outdoor travel and safety related areas:
  • Hiking: intermediate experience means you occasionally (every few months) hike over 10 km in one day.
  • Camping: intermediate experience means you have camped in the front country (area of easy accessibility) and backcountry (area of difficult accessibility) within the last two (2) years.
  • Multi-overnight Trip: intermediate experience means you have completed 5 to 10 multi-overnight backpacking trips within the last two (2) years. This could include a hiking, kayak, canoe, ski, or other related trip.
  • Emergency Management: intermediate experience means you have created a trip plan and carried safety equipment (e.g., first aid kit) for a personal or work trip performed in the outdoors.
  • Navigation: intermediate experience means you have effectively used a navigation tool (GPS, compass, or traditional form of navigation) while travelling in the outdoors to guide yourself.
  • Travel: intermediate experience means you have driven a vehicle (or ATV) on a logging road to access a recreational area (e.g., park, campsite, hiking trail, lake).
  • Wildlife Safety: intermediate experience means you have performed wildlife safety practices while in the outdoors, which may include carrying bear spray and/or caching food out of reach of wildlife.
  • Recognizing and resolving Safety Issues: intermediate experience means you have identified and/or reported a safety hazard in a workplace or a school environment.

Preference may be given to candidates with previous experience as a Student Ranger.

Preference may be given to candidates who identify as Indigenous (Métis, First Nations, or Inuit); this information will only be retained as part of the competition process and will not be used for other purposes.

Certifications and training in:

• Chainsaw Certificate.
• Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
• ATV Operator Certificate.
• VHF Radio Operator Certificate.
• Other related certifications/training.

Willingness Statements:

• To wear the BC Parks’ assigned BC Parks uniform.
• To supply and wear adequate footwear for job duties, as determined by BC Parks.
• To work irregular shifts, including evenings and weekends.
• To work outdoors and potentially camp for consecutive nights.
• To work in moderate to extreme weather conditions and in remote and/or isolated locations.
• To perform physically demanding work (e.g., hiking, carrying gear and equipment up to 10 hours per day).
• To be responsible for day-to-day crew safety and respond to safety concerns and emergency incidents.
• To transport crew to and from the work sites in government vehicles, etc.
• To operate a variety of communication equipment including 2-way radios, satellite phones and GPS units.
• Please note that this job requires you to live remotely during your work shift.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Erik.Smeets@gov.bc.ca.

About this Position:
There are up to four (4) full time temporary (auxiliary) opportunities available in Squamish.
These terms run from May 11th to October 18th, 2025.
These positions have full time on-site requirements.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary vacancies.
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

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 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, great learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development options. For more information, visit What the BC Public Service Offers.

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 job titles, start and end dates (month and year) and your job related responsibilities for each job in your employment history, and any relevant information that relates to this position.

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.