Equine Training Specialist

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

You must provide contact information for 3 work references.

Living accommodations may not be provided.

No cover letter required – Respond to questions in the on-line application. Persons who are unable to apply on-line must contact rhbanff-banffhr@pc.gc.ca prior to the closing date.

*** NOTE: When submitting your application to this selection process, you will be required to answer screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the Essential Qualifications (Education and all Essential Experiences).

Your job application must clearly demonstrate that you meet all the pre-screening requirements in order to move on to the next step. Please explain how you meet the essential criteria of education and experience. Do not forget to specify the period during which you have held each function (month and year), and where you acquired the qualification. The answers to the pre-screening questions will be the main source of information that the assessment board members will be using to determine whether you have the essential qualifications for education and experience. Your resume must corroborate your answers to the pre-screening questions. The lack of information in the form requested may result in the rejection of your application.

Failure to clearly demonstrate how you meet the Education and Experience factors when responding to the questions in the on-line application, may result in the rejection of your application.

Work environment

Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, the only federally operated working horse ranch in Canada, is located on federal government property and managed by Parks Canada. It is located on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, and immediately outside Banff National Park. Encompassing 3945 hectares, one-third of the Ranch is natural grassland and two-thirds mixed forest. Horses accommodated and trained at the Ranch are used in a working capacity for ecosystem monitoring, active management and protection of Canada’s Western National Parks. A public campground (Bighorn) is located on federal property and administered by the Ranch. The Ranch is located 85 kilometers west of Sundre, Alberta and access to the property is via gravel public roads.

We offer a generous benefit package, dental and pension plan as well as work life balance so you can enjoy everything the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains has to offer.

Intent of the process

This process may be used to create a list of qualified candidates to staff similar positions with various tenures, security levels or linguistic profiles in same or other parts of the country.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 3 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education training and experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

EX1: Experience training young horses and remedial training of problem/difficult horses in preparation for day riding, parades, and multi-day backcountry travel; including riding and packing

EX2: Experience assisting with or instructing rider competency. (ie: Assessing candidate competency and providing hands-on coaching/field mentoring to riders)

EX3: Experience maintaining complete & current records on horses (ie: gentling, shoeing, training, health issues & treatment, feed requirement)

EX4: Experience performing repair and maintenance on horse-related facilities. (ie: ranch equipment, buildings, corrals, water systems, gates and fences.)

EX5: Experience providing daily horse herd management (ie: feeding, monitoring of horse health, trimming/shoeing, injury treatment)

EX6: Experience interacting with members of the public to provide orientation and tours of ranch facilities in a professional and welcoming manner

EX7: Experience operating a farm tractor

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:

K1: Knowledge of care, training, and handling techniques for horses, specifically related to equine riding and/or backcountry wilderness travel

K2: Knowledge of approaches for successfully training equine riders

K3: Knowledge of methods and procedures used in range management

K4: Knowledge of the maintenance and operation of ranch equipment

K5: Knowledge of safe work practices and standards related to equine riding and related activities

ABILITIES:

A1: Ability to analyse and solve problems

A2: Ability to adhere to safe work practices

A3: Ability to think strategically and tactically, evaluating options and risks, and implementing effective solutions

A4: Ability to work collaboratively with others

A5: Ability to motivate, coach and lead staff

A6: Ability to communicate effectively

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:

PS1: Exercises sound judgment

PS2: Takes responsibility

PS3: Strives for excellence

PS4: Personally, connects with people

PS5: Makes things happen

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Asset Qualifications:

The following qualifications may be applied and/or assessed because they are beneficial in carrying out the duties of the position. They may be used in screening, assessment or determining right fit for this selection process, so please describe how you meet any of the following criteria.

* Copies of current certification will be required at time of interview.

ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS:

AC1: Farrier Certification or other certifications relevant to the position

Degree equivalency

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:

AEX1: Experience trimming and shoeing of inexperienced and/or problematic horses

AEX2: Experience with leatherwork – maintenance and repair of horse tack

AEX3: Experience in transporting horses and coordinating schedules in support of safe and efficient use of horses by a broad range of staff

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness and ability to wear a Parks Canada uniform and prescribed protective equipment and follow safety procedures
• Willing and able to work and/or travel in varied terrain, weather conditions, isolated locations and by various means of transportation
• Willingness and ability to perform strenuous physical activity effectively and safely
• Willing and able to work irregular hours, overtime, weekends and/or statutory holidays and provincial holidays, when required
• Willingness and ability to obtain certification in the operation of various forms of ground (e.g. all-terrain vehicles) and marine (motorized and non-motorized vessels) travel, as required
• Willingness to respond to incidents involving members of the public, wildlife, and livestock
• Willingness and ability to obtain training and/or certification for the use of firearms, 40-hour wilderness First Aid Certification (or equivalent), CPR certification, etc. as required

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: (Must be met prior to employment)

• Obtain and maintain Reliability Status security clearance.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid class 5 driver's license
• Willing and able to undergo and pass pre-placement and periodic medical checks.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Note: Additional information may be requested after closing date for screening and/or assessment purposes.

We will only accept on-line applications received via the jobs.gc.ca site. Persons who are unable to apply on-line must contact pc.rhbanff-banffhr.pc@canada.ca prior to the closing date.

The Parks Canada Agency is established as a separate employer in the Federal Public Service under the Financial Administration Act. Persons appointed to the Agency continue to be part of the Public Service. The Parks Canada Agency operates under its own human resources framework outside of the Public Service Employment Act and in line with values of fairness, competence and respect, and its operating principles.

In accordance with paragraph 8(2)(a) of the Privacy Act, information or material, whether provided directly by the candidate or otherwise obtained by the selection board, used during the selection process for the purpose of assessing a candidate may be used as part of the selection review and recourse processes. Such relevant information may be provided to third parties, such as other candidates or their representatives, who have a legitimate reason to be aware of that information.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

Travel cost for individuals who are not Federal Public Servants will not be covered.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Contact information

Apply online