This is a term position available to May 2024 with possibility of extension through summer and year-round. This is a full-time position up to 80 hours bi-weekly.
Work location is the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, KM 8, Takhini Hot Springs Road, 30 km from downtown Whitehorse, Yukon.
The Wildlife Interpreter will work with visitors to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve to deliver interpretive bus tours and educational programs focused on northern wildlife, ecology and cultures. The Wildlife Interpreter must be independent, enthusiastic and committed to improving their knowledge and delivery of interpretive programs.
We are offering successful candidates the opportunity to build leadership and interpretive communication skills in outstanding landscapes. These positions are well suited to candidates studying/have studied education, interpretation, community development, social sciences, tourism and outdoor recreation, environmental science, zoology, biology or a related field.
This position will be trained and supervised by the Manager of Visitor Services.
Duties
Learning, personalizing and delivering engaging, interpretive tours to diverse audiences:
- Providing excellent customer service to visitors at the reception cabin;
- Processing cash transactions, membership applications and tracking visitor statistics;
- Maintaining inventory/sales and display of merchandise retail goods;
- Participate in regular evaluation exercises of program design and delivery;
- Assist with delivery of special events and other visitor services initiatives;
- Maintenance duties including light cleaning and maintaining tour vans;
- Supporting other departments as opportunities/needs and interest arise;
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Patience, attention to detail, flexibility/adaptability to challenging situations and ability to work long hours.
- Ability to work independently and as part of the team, reliable, neat and detail-orientated, good oral communication skills, excellent problem-solving abilities and common sense
- Interest, knowledge or experience in Arctic and Boreal ecology:
- Study in the field of Biology/Environmental Science, Renewable Resource Management or a related field and previous related work experience are considered an asset
- Ability to deliver engaging, knowledge based interpretive programs to diverse audiences
- Ability to deliver excellent customer service
- Ability to work independently, effectively problem-solve and maintain enthusiasm and critical thinking with minimal supervision.
- Provide/process and maintain Retail Operations of the Gift Shop and inventory.
- Assist in delivery of special events and other visitor services initiatives.
- Strong work ethic to maintaining a clean, and safe working environment.
Located 25 minutes north of Whitehorse and open year-round, the YWP provides visitors interpreted bus tours or self-guide walk/ski/bike to view 11+ species of Yukon wildlife in large natural habitats. Our facility includes the Wildlife Research and Rehabilitation Center where injured wild animals are cared for by specialists who work to release healthy, capable animals back into the wild. A preserve is an enclosed area of wilderness left largely untouched, where the animals native to the are are protected, cared for and free to roam their natural habitats. This allows people to safely and respectfully get close to the wildlife, to learn about them and grow in their understanding and appreciation.
This will be a split position between Visitor Services and Animal Care department. Please review the below, the Animal Care position for details and requirements.
Work includes weekends, holidays, early mornings and late evenings up to 40 hrs/week. Work location is the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, KM 8, Takhini Hot Springs Road, 30 km from downtown Whitehorse, Yukon.
If you are a mature, energetic and driven person with career goals in Biology/Environmental science, renewable resource management or a related field and love the Yukon outdoors you will benefit from the experience at the Yukon Wildlife preserve (YWP). The YWP offers a unique opportunity to learn about behavior of various species of Yukon native Wildlife while providing daily care to more than 180 animals in YWP collection as well as injured and orphaned wildlife in rehabilitation.
This position provides direct, hands-on the experience working with wildlife (both rehabilitation and captive wildlife) will be a benefit to anyone pursuing careers in the fields of biology, veterinary medicine, renewable resources and/or wildlife management. Training in animal care procedures and standards will be provided by the Animal Care Manger and a contract veterinarian team, contributing to the future employability. While interesting, satisfying and diverse, the work is physically demanding and at times occurs under difficult conditions and inclement weather. As staff and public safety is a top priority, appropriate training and equipment will be provided to meet Yukon Occupational Health and Safety standards.
This position will be trained and supervised by the Animal Care Manger in close collaboration with the contract veterinarians.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Feeding animals
- Animal counts
- Animal health and behavioral observations
- Cleaning and organizing equipment
- Accurate record keeping
- Sample Collection
- Maintain and improve animal enclosures
- General maintenance related to animal care
- Implement species specific environmental enrichment and training protocols
- Collecting browse and other ingredients of animals’ rations on and off YWP site (as required)
- Mentor volunteers during animal care related activities
- Other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Patience, attention to detail, flexibility/adaptability to challenging situations and ability to work long hours.
- Ability to work independently and as part of the team, reliable, neat and detail-orientated, good oral communication skills, excellent problem-solving abilities and common sense
- Proficiency with use of hand and power tools;
- Study in the field of Biology/Environmental Science, Renewable Resource Management or a related field and previous related work experience are considered an asset
Please tell us if you have any of the following assets:
- Ability to speak French;
- Other language proficiencies;
- Cash handling experience and use of a POS (point of sale) system is an asset;
- Familiarity with Apple Ipad systems an asset.
- Familiarity with Microsoft suite and Google apps.
Conditions of Employment & Technical Requirements Successful candidates must meet these conditions by the first day of their contract and maintain them throughout the duration of employment.
- Standard First Aid/CPR-C Certificate;
- Ability to pass a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening;
- physical fitness to repetitively up to 30lbs and occasionally up to 80lbs;
- Ability to obtain Class 4 Yukon Driver’s License by start date (successful candidates who do not obtain required licensing by start date may be paid minimum wage until a full Class 4 Yukon Driver's License is obtained);
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Tetanus vaccination
To Apply: Please provide your cover letter and resume to Lindsay Caskenette via [email protected]