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 40-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 and disinfecting 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.

From this hiring pool there are year-round, seasonal (summer season) and casual (winter season) positions available.

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. Other maintenance tasks such as mowing, whipper snipping, painting, carpentry, fencing, assisting maintenance crews with larger projects and any other tasks may be required.
 
As an Animal Caretaker, you will work under the supervision of the Park Foreperson or designate.

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:

• 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 and union agreement, 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 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

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) one-year permanent seasonal employment opportunity available, with the option of casual employee post season.  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.
• Countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.