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Wildlife Park Attendant (Animal Care) (Hiring Pool)

 

 

Competition # : 48292 

Department: Natural Resources

Location: SHUBENACADIE

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG 

Closing Date: ​13-Apr-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Hiring Pool

 

This posting will be used to establish a Hiring Pool for Permanent, Seasonal, Temporary and Casual employment opportunities.

About Us

 
Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources – including biodiversity, forests, provincial parks, and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, parks and wildlife resources, and the administration of the province's Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.
 
 
The Shubenacadie Wildlife Park is one of Nova Scotia’s top tourist destinations and has attracted millions of visitors over the past 70 years. The 330-hectare park has enchanted Nova Scotians and visitors alike and provides a wide range of outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.

About Our Opportunity

 
Do you have the skills to care for captive wildlife, maintain park grounds, and perform a variety of unique tasks outdoors year-round? Well, then you have come to the right place! Our Wildlife Park Attendants (Animal Care) are primarily Animal caretakers who take pride in:
 
•     feeding and caring for the captive wildlife,
•     preparing diets,
•     cleaning,  disinfecting and maintaining animal enclosures and their pools,
•     conducting routine health checks, and
•     assisting park visitors by answering questions and providing park related information.
 
 
Secondary duties may include assisting the maintenance teams with:
 
•     maintaining the facility’s infrastructure of walkways, trails, and buildings;
•     keeping the facility clean and safe by performing janitorial duties such as cleaning washrooms and garbage collection,
•     assisting with mowing, whipper snipping, painting, carpentry, fencing, and
•     any other tasks may be required.
 
 
As an Animal Caretaker, you will work under the Animal Care Supervisor.
 

Primary Accountabilities

 

Aside from the daily Wildlife Park attendant tasks, we assist park visitors by answering questions and providing park related information, we also keep the facility clean and safe by performing janitorial duties such as cleaning washrooms and garbage collection. Animal Caretakers can also do other maintenance tasks such as mowing, whipper snipping, painting, carpentry, fencing, assisting maintenance crews with larger projects and any other tasks may be required.

Qualifications and Experience

 
You've completed high school or have an equivalent combination of training/experience.
 
To be successful in this role, you should possess, confirm in your cover letter and be prepared to demostrate:
 
•     Above average knowledge of animal behaviour, husbandry, handling, diet preparation
•     Strong interpersonal/communication skills; team player
•     Willingness to work in adverse weather conditions
•     Good physical health, able to perform heavy lifting (at least 25 kg) regularly/frequently.  Able to climb, crouch, walk, stand, shovel, rake, and perform general labour to meet the physical demands of the position.
•     Good working knowledge of computers, especially email and data-entry.
•     A valid Nova Scotia Class 5 driver’s license (or equivalent)
•     Clean Criminal background check
 
 
The following are considered assets:
 
•     Post secondary education in animal health technology, biology, veterinary science or similar
•     Previous experience as an animal keeper at a zoo, wildlife park or similar
•     Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS
•     Knowledge of indigenous wildlife, habitat, and environmental issues
•     Farming experience
•     Basic First Aid/CPR Certificate
 
 
We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), physical assessment, and reference checks.
Equivalency
 
 
Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

 

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

 
•     You will be on a shift schedule and must be able to work long days, some weekends, holidays, and evenings, and work independently with minimum supervision as well as in a team environment.
•     Available to work irregular unscheduled hours, or be called back to work for storm closures or emergencies.
•     Must be able to quickly adapt to changes in planned work on short notice and be comfortable performing a wide variety of daily tasks
•     Candidates selected for interviews may be required to submit a driver's abstract and a criminal background check.

Additional Information

 
This competition will be used to create a Hiring Pool to fill multiple Permanent, Term, Temporary and Casual opportunities as they arise.  
 
Currently, there is one (1) permanent and one (1) term employment opportunity available. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

 

  • Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
  • Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
  • Continuous career paths.

 

Pay Grade:  MOS 08  

Salary Range:  $1,851.41 - $1,896.89 Bi-Weekly

 

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve.  The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented.  If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application. 

 

Accommodation Statement:

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

 

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

 

 

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued. 

 

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. 

 

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

         

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