Lock Operations Student - 2026 - Parks Canada

View full job description here.

Duties

Students will work at Rideau Canal lock stations and assist with the movement of boats; collect money for permits and lockage fees, and provide housekeeping, grounds keeping and general maintenance at lock stations along the Rideau Canal.

Work environment

From the heart of Canada’s capital, the historic Rideau Canal waterway winds south from Ottawa through towns, farms and woodlands for 202 kilometers (126 miles) towards Kingston on Lake Ontario. Constructed after the War of 1812 on fears of an American invasion of the St. Lawrence River, it served as an alternative shipping route between Montréal and Kingston. The working canal, with its 19th century locks and structures, links rivers and lakes with man-made channels - an ideal landscape for outdoor activities and glimpses of Old Ontario on a water route through living history.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to hire students for the summer 2026. The exact number of positions available is to be determined.

Important messages

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Apply early. Start your job search now. Even though our advertisement states a closing date of end of June, we pull resumes for review from mid-February through June (The best jobs go fast!).

Clearly identify in your application the opportunity(ies) for which you are applying. From the work stream locations currently listed on the poster, please clearly identify the work location(s) in which you are prepared to work.

• SU-01 Various lock stations from Ottawa to Smiths Falls Ontario
• SU-02 Various lock stations from Smiths Falls to Kingston, Ontario

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

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.

EDUCATION:

Students who are currently

• Registered as a full‑time or part-time secondary or post‑secondary student in an accredited academic program;

• Participating in adult education and retraining programs at the secondary level, operated under the authority of an accredited academic institution.

EXPEREIENCE:

• Experience Providing Customer Service;
• Experience completing maintenance work/tasks such as (but not limited to) cleaning, grounds keeping, painting, maintaining lawn equipment;

COMPENTENCIES:

• Demonstrating Integrity and Respect;
• Thinking things through;
• Working efficiently with others;
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented.

ABILITY:

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

Applied / assessed at a later date

• English essential; or
• Bilingual imperative - oral interaction

You may need (asset qualifications)

ASSET OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION (This will be required for some employment streams):

• Possession of a valid Ontario Class “G” or “G2” driver’s license, or a provincial/territorial equivalent;

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness and ability to wear a Parks Canada uniform and Personal Protective Equipment, when required;
• Willing and able to do work that involves strenuous physical labour;
• Willing and able to be mobile as reporting work site may vary;
• Willing and able to work outside in all weather conditions;
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain a valid Standard First Aid certification;
• Willing and able to work irregular hours, overtime, weekends and/or on statutory holidays, when required.

Our commitment

We're 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 contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Learn more about assessment accommodation.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.

How to apply

Learn more about applying for Government of Canada jobs.

Information you must provide:

• Your résumé
• Contact information for 2 references

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.