Job Description

Parks Canada - Wood Buffalo National Park


Fort Smith (Northwest Territories)


PM-06


September 2025 to November 2026


$113,185 to $129,417 (Salary under review; Plus applicable isolated post allowance.)
For further information on the organization, please visit Parks Canada

Closing date: 1 September 2025 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Who can apply:

Persons employed or residing in Fort Smith, and within a 1200 km radius of Fort Smith, NT who have legal status to work in Canada. Indigenous applicants who wish to be assessed as per the Wood Buffalo National Park Indigenous Human Resource Policy are asked to self-identify.

Apply online

Important messages

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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


Parks Canda offers Northern Allowances (rates and conditions subject to change and vary depending on number of dependents):

o Isolated Post Allowances: Approximately $14,730 to $24,550 per year

o Vacation Travel Assistance: approximately $1,402 per year for each eligible member of the household

Housing: Federal government housing may be available Relocation Assistance: Applicants may be eligible for relocation assistance and may wish to review the Relocation Directive: https://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/d6/en Pension & Benefits: Advantageous pension regime and health benefits. For more information, see: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/topics/pension-plan.html


Who We Are

On behalf of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.




What we are looking for

This job is for those who can make things happen: Thriving with complicated challenges and solving problems. Those who will work through dynamic situations, jumping into them, devising new options, figuring out new partnerships and taking challenging and exciting objectives to completion in a team setting.




This job is for those who personally connect with people: Those who motivate others to reach their full potential, and build genuine relationships based on trust and seeking collaborative and creative approaches to achieve common goals.



This job is for those who demonstrate integrity: Taking ownership of commitments, assignments and following through to completion. Conscientiousness, integrity, and commitment to doing things right and leading by example. When assigning new responsibilities, people look to you because they know it will get done.



This job is for those who have excellent judgment: Knowing when to take calculated risks to meet new challenges, to advocate for your beliefs, to deliver results. Others have confidence not only in your abilities but in your judgment.

Duties

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The Resource Conservation Manager is a key leadership position at Wood Buffalo National Park. The job oversees a broad area of responsibility that includes planning, coordination and managing the development and delivery of natural and cultural resource conservation programs such as fire management, human wildlife conflict, visitor safety, research and monitoring, species at risk, cultural resources management, permitting and Impact Assessment.



The job requires experience leading diverse multi-disciplinary teams. This requires using human resource management systems for training, professional development and performance management. It also requires strong working knowledge of procurement, contracting, budgeting, work planning and delegation.




Success in the job is driven by fostering strong interpersonal relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations, federal, provincial and territorial government agencies, stakeholders, and non-government organizations.



The Resource Conservation Manager is part of the Wood Buffalo management team who work collaboratively to face challenges facing the park and identify new opportunities and to drive change.

Work environment

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The Resource Conservation Manager reports to the Field Unit Superintendent. The position is responsible for the delivery of programs aligned with the Agency's mandate for natural and cultural heritage protection and quality visitor experiences.



The Resource Conservation Manager is responsible for the following program elements:

Supporting Indigenous cooperative management activities; Environmental and impact assessment; Monitoring and management of natural and cultural heritage resources; Monitoring for Ecological Integrity; Scientific environmental research activities; Wildfire management Visitor safety and occupational health and safety; and Operational planning and implementation activities that support these programs.

Working with Indigenous organizations and individuals;

Financial management for budget, planning, reporting contracting and procurement; Hiring, performance management and training/development of team members;


Usually, 2 - 3 years of experience in a management position in Parks Canada operations would offer greater potential for success in this role. Operational experience is a strong consideration for this position.

The position must spend time providing managerial support to a team of technicians, ecologists and working along side Indigenous organizations. The position will occasionally travel into the park to see and enjoy the spectacular landscapes, fantastic projects and outstanding team members.

Intent of the process

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This process will be used to staff one anticipated vacancy and a qualified list will be created which may be used to staff similar positions of various tenures and at various locations.

Positions to be filled:

1

Information you must provide

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Your resume.


Contact information for 3 references.

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

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EDUCATION:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with specialization in natural resource conservation, ecosystem management, or other disciplines relevant to the position.



An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered if you do not have a university degree. For example, a technical diploma with relevant experience and career advancement in a resource management organization that includes at least three years of supervisory and/or management experience.


Degree equivalency


EXPERIENCE:

Experience in managing human and financial resources (e.g. varied funding sources, grants and contributions, professional and technical staff). Experience managing resource conservation or other science-based projects related to wildfire management, species at risk management, human wildlife conflict, Environmental Assessment/permitting, scientific research and/or environmental monitoring/surveillance. Experience building and maintain relationships with partners, stakeholders, other agencies, Indigenous groups and/or communities to support resource conservation objectives. Experience or in involvement in incident response and/or emergency/crisis management.

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

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English essential


Information on language requirements


KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of Parks Canada's vision, mandate and corporate objectives especially as they relate to conservation and visitor safety in national parks; Knowledge of Wildfire Risk Reduction and Fire management practices and objectives; Knowledge of Indigenous land claim and cooperative management principles, practices and issues in protected areas.
?ABILITIES:

Ability to build consensus amongst diverse and competing interests Ability to communicate complex messages effectively orally and in writing to technical and non-technical audiences (e.g., complex briefing note, media, large audiences); Ability to analyze and produce information to understand issues impacting resource conservation and develop recommendations for senior management that support sound decision making.
PERSONAL SUITABILITY

Makes things happen Personally connects with people Demonstrates integrity Strives for excellence Exercises sound judgement

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

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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

(1) Special consideration may be given to those who demonstrate experience working within Indigenous organizations and/or working in an Indigenous co-management setting.

(2) Experience living and/or working in a northern or remote community.


KNOWLEDGE:

Special consideration may be given to Indigenous knowledge, language(s) and culture of the north and/or the region of Wood Buffalo National Park.


OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Willingness to wear a Parks Canada uniform; Willingness to work irregular hours, overtime, weekends and/or statutory holidays and provincial/territorial holidays, when required; Willingness to work shift and stand-by work; When position is located in area classed as isolated and remote, a pre-employment medical examination of an individual and his/her dependants may be required; Willingness to work and/or travel in varied terrain, weather conditions, isolated locations and by various means of transportation.

Conditions of employment

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Reliability Status security clearance


Possess and maintain a valid NWT Class 5 driver's license or equivalent



Must undergo and pass pre-placement and periodic medical checks (when position is located in an area classed as isolated and remote, a pre-employment medical examination of an individual and his/her dependants may be required)

Other information

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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


HOW TO APPLY



You must apply online.



NOTE: Internal Applicants who have previously applied on Selection Process: 2025-CAP-WBFU-IA-VAR-052 need not apply on this external posting.



1. ONLINE SCREENING QUESTIONS

All candidates must clearly demonstrate in the online screening questions how they meet the education and experience factors listed in both the essential and asset qualifications listed.



Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that these factors are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Provide concrete examples of WHEN, WHERE & HOW.



Failure to clearly demonstrate how you meet the Education and Experience factors may result in the rejection of your application.



Normally, applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.



Candidates will be asked to provide proof of their education credentials at a later date.



2. RESUMES

Resumes will be used as a secondary source to validate the experience described in the screening questions and/ or email - as appropriate.



3. REFERENCES

Three (3) references are required, including one from a recentsupervisor.
Recentis defined as within the past two years.


4. CURRENT POSITION (FOR Government of Canada Employees) (if applicable)

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application and/or email.



ASSESSMENT

An interview will be administered A written assessment may be administered Reference checks will be sought


Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.



Parks Canada Agency considers applications from all individuals who have legal status to work in Canada. Please indicate in your application the reason for which you are entitled to work in Canada: Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or work permit.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



PLEASE NOTE: Our intention is to communicate with candidates via e-mail for competition purposes.

Please provide a valid e-mail address. It is the candidate's responsibility to provide any changes to their personal information to the contact indicated on this job advertisement.



The essential qualifications that are listed in the poster are mandatory. A pass mark will be established for each.



Successful candidate(s) must meet and maintain the conditions of Employment throughout their employment.



Persons who have received pay in lieu of unfulfilled surplus period, a Transition Support Measure (TSM) or an Educational Allowance and are re-appointed to the Parks Canada Agency are required to reimburse an amount corresponding to the period from the effective date of such reappointment or hiring, to the end of the original period for which the TSM and education allowance was paid. Please contact Wanda Burdett, Human Resources Manager, if you are one of these individuals to find out how this applies to your particular situation.



Persons who are in receipt of a Canadian Government Public Service pension and are considering this employment opportunity with the Parks Canada Agency, should contact the PWGSC Public Service Pension Centre (1-800-561-7930) in order to determine the impact of an appointment on their pension benefit entitlements.



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.



Wood Buffalo is a world-renowned wilderness park and if you are passionate about conservation this is an amazing opportunity you do not want to miss. Thank you for making the time to read this job posting, if you think this job is for you and Fort Smith will work for your family please apply.

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