Ontario Parks is hiring summer students! Spend your summer working outside and connecting with nature, all while doing meaningful work that contributes to protecting the environment and helping park visitors.

Find a community of nature-lovers and work in a friendly, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Learn skills, make new friends, advance your career, and get paid to do it! Apply now for the adventure of a lifetime.

Information to assist you with the application process is available on the Summer Employment Opportunities website (opens in a new tab). Within your application, you will have the opportunity to identify the skills, work preferences and qualifications you have that make you a suitable candidate for this position.

Provincial parks are located across the province; View the Ontario Parks Locator website (opens in a new tab) to find the exact location of provincial parks. Please select the provincial park(s) you wish to work at. You are able to select up to five (5) parks.

Some parks offer limited staff accommodations for summer staff, with minimal cost. View the list of Provincial Parks with Staff Housing (opens in a new tab). TO REQUEST STAFF HOUSING AT PARKS YOU APPLIED TO, PLEASE LIST THE SPECIFIC NAMES OF THE PROVINCIAL PARKS YOU NEED HOUSING FOR IN YOUR RESUME/COVER LETTER. If staff housing is not available, you will be responsible for your own housing arrangements.

If you do not require staff housing, it is your responsibility to ensure you are able to travel to the park(s) you apply to. Please list the specific names of the provincial parks you can travel to for work in your resume/cover letter.

Visit the Ontario Parks website (opens in a new tab) to learn more!

• Relocation expenses and/or accommodations are not covered by ministries.
• The number of positions to be filled is approximate and subject to change.
• Please use your legal name when applying to the job ad.
• Summer placements are typically full-time (working 36.25hrs/week or 40 hrs/week). However some part-time placements MAY be available based on mutual agreement between the hiring manager and student, if operationally feasible. Please inquire at the interview stage.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Ontario Parks offers a wide range of student positions and opportunities! Below are the job types available. When completing the application form, be sure to indicate which job type(s) you are applying for.

• Gate Attendant – Welcomes visitors, issues park permits, and responds to customer inquiries. Gate Attendants welcome everyone into a provincial park.
• Maintenance Worker – Provides services to ensure parks are maintained, cleaned, and ready for guests.
• Park Store Clerk – Assists in maintaining park stores and gift boutiques. This position involves managing rentals, providing customer service, handling money, and performing clerical work.
• Administrative Assistant – Assists with clerical work and park administration. This position plays a key role in assisting with finances and scheduling.
• Discovery Ranger – Assists in delivering park educational programs to inform visitors about the natural and cultural resources found within the park. Only available at parks with a Discovery Program (opens in a new tab).

• Interior Ranger – Maintains backcountry hiking and portage trails, and remote campsites in parks that may only be able to be reached by boat, canoe, of on foot.
• Trail Maintenance – Ensures backcountry trails and campsites are accessible and safe for users by removing brush, upkeeping trail surfaces, and conducting inspections.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

You must meet all eligibility criteria by the first day of employment (contracts begin between May and July):

1. Student Status: You must be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution (currently or for the fall semester) OR you must have graduated within the past six months (for example, if you graduated in December, you can apply for and start a summer student position up until June of the following year).
   
2. Age: You must be a minimum of 15 years of age. There is no maximum age limit.
   
3. Residency: You must be a resident of Ontario during the term of employment.
   
4. Work Status: You must be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) for the full duration of your summer employment.
   
5. Application: Applications are only accepted online by clicking the "Apply Online" button. Your application should describe how you meet the knowledge and skill requirements outlined on this ad.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• You apply your verbal and written communication skills to communicate information related to programs, prepare a variety of documents, and respond to public and/or internal inquiries by phone, email, and in-person. Ability to deliver public presentations at the park level.
• You apply your initiative and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within a team environment.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• You apply basic safe operating practices when working with machinery and equipment.
  
• You have the ability to conduct maintenance of grounds, buildings, and equipment, and to use machinery, equipment, and tools (e.g. lawn mowers, weed trimmers).
  
• You apply your basic mathematical skills to accurately perform cash handling duties.
  
• You apply your experience using Microsoft Office applications, such as Word (word processing) and Excel (spreadsheets), as well as databases, email, and the internet to conduct research and prepare a variety of documents.
  
• You apply your experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) such as ESRI ArcGIS suite to conduct data and trend analysis (including spatial trend analysis), prepare simple maps, and track, compile, and evaluate information.

Analytical and Organizational Skills

• You follow instructions and seek clarification, as required.
  
• You pay close attention to detail and record information accurately.
  
• You plan, organize, and prioritize your work to meet competing deadlines.

Other Requirements

• Certain positions require you to have a valid Ontario G2 (or higher) Driver's Licence or equivalent.
• Certain positions require that you have, or be willing to acquire, a Pleasure Craft Operator Card as a condition of employment.
• Certain positions require that you have certification in Standard First Aid and CPR.
• Certain positions include the handling of money.
• You are willing and able to work shifts and weekends with an irregular schedule up to 36.25 hours per week.
• You are able to work in an outdoor environment with some physical activity involved, including lifting and carrying weighted items in accordance with the Employment Standards Act and Workplace Health and Safety regulations.
• You will require training on the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
• You are capable of, and comfortable with, operating small machinery and equipment, and using lawn care tools.

Other student and recent graduate opportunities

Also, check out all the other student and new recent graduate opportunities offered within the Ontario Public Service.