Lock/Bridge Operator I - Anticipatory - Parks Canada

View full job description here.

Duties

Do you like manual work, being outside and seeing concretely the fruit of your efforts? This position is for you! The work of a lock/bridge operator requires rigor, resourcefulness, and good physical fitness.

You will be responsible for operating locks and/or bridges, maintaining grounds, structures and equipment, and providing courteous service to users in accordance with Parks Canada standards. The position is physically demanding and mainly works outside (up to 10 hours a day, exposure to sun, rain and bad weather). You will walk long distances on various terrains, use stairs or ladders and could lift loads up to 20 kg.

Additional tasks:

Paint, clean, weed, mow, empty bins and maintain sanitary facilities. Keep the area safe and clean. Answer visitors’ questions and ensure compliance with regulations. Use various tools and equipment (lawnmower, weed whip, pressure washer, drill, etc.). Perform certain administrative tasks using computer tools.

The navigation season runs from May to mid-October. The season is split into three (3) main timeframes as follows:

* Spring Season: early May until mid-June - up to 6 days a week working

* Core Season: mid-June until Labour day - up to 6 days a week working

* Fall Season : Labour day until mid-October - up to 7 days a week working

The Rideau Canal (RC) is broken into two areas/work units:

*RC North - Ottawa to Smiths Falls, ON (Locks 1-27)

*RC South - Smiths Falls to Kingston, ON (Locks 29-49)

Work environment

You might be wondering why you would come to work for the Parks Canada Agency?

To join a team of passionate people who care about the protection and presentation of Canada’s outstanding natural and cultural resources through a system of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites and canals.

Parks Canada is a federal government agency responsible for the protection and presentation of Canada’s outstanding natural and cultural resources through a system of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites in all regions of Canada.

Ontario's historic canals are defining features of Canada, governed by Parks Canada who protects and presents these special places to all who visit them.

From the heart of Canada’s capital, the historic Rideau Canal waterway winds south from Ottawa through towns, farms and woodlands for 202 kilometres (126 miles) towards Kingston on Lake Ontario. Constructed after the War of 1812 on fears of an American expansion across the St. Lawrence River, the Rideau Canal 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.

Intent of the process

This is an anticipatory process with the goal of building a qualified pool of candidates to draw from as vacancies arise for term and seasonal positions that report for work between May to October or June to September on the Rideau Canal (RC). This process is intended to fill vacancies with the same work description, at various locations across the waterway.

RC North- Various Lock Stations from Smiths Falls to Ottawa, Ontario (Locks 1-27)

RC South - Various Lock Stations from Kingston to Smiths Falls, Ontario (Locks 29-49)

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

Important messages

Please note that your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Management may decide to use a score that is higher than the pass mark on any of the evaluations used throughout the selection process. 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.

Management may choose to invoke an additional qualification at any point of the process. You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

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. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Travel cost for individuals who are not Federal Public Servants will not be covered.

Conditions of employment:

• Possession of a valid Ontario Class “G” or “G2” driver’s license, or a provincial/territorial equivalent;
• This position is designated as safety sensitive, and the incumbent will be required to comply with the Agency’s zero tolerance policy and report fit for duty;
• Obtain and maintain a valid Standard First Aid certification prior to employment.

Operational Requirements:

• Willingness to wear a Parks Canada uniform and Personal Protective Equipment, when required;
• Willing and able to do work that involves strenuous physical labour;
• Willingness to be mobile as reporting work site may vary;
• Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions;
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain a valid Standard First Aid certification before employment starts;
• Willingness to do work that involves working weekends and holidays, up to seven days a week, up to ten hours per day, on a varying schedule, including stand-by and call back;
• Must be available for the duration of the reporting period.

Education :

• Successful completion of secondary school or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

Experience:

• Experience providing customer service.
• Experience completing maintenance work/tasks such as (but not limited to) cleaning, grounds keeping, painting, maintaining lawn equipment.
• Experience using work-related computer software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

Competencies:

• Demonstrating integrity and respect.
• Thinking things through.
• Working efficiently with others.
• Showing initiative and being action oriented.

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively.

Language requirements (essential for the job):

• English Essential
• Bilingual Imperative – level --B/--B

Experiences considered as an asset:

• Experience in the role of Lock Operator and/or Lock Operating Assistant or within operations at Parks Canada Historic Canals.

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 3 references

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