Last Updated On 15 February 2026, 10:19 AM EST (Toronto Time)
Parks Canada has launched a massive hiring wave across Ontario for summer 2026, with jobs paying up to $30 per hour and opportunities ranging from conservation fieldwork at Lake Superior to maintenance roles at Bruce Peninsula National Park.
The federal agency is actively recruiting students, seasonal workers, and full-time staff to help protect and maintain some of Canada’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
Whether you’re a student looking for meaningful summer employment or someone seeking a career change that puts you in the heart of Ontario’s wilderness, these Parks Canada jobs offer competitive federal wages, valuable experience, and the chance to work in locations that most people only visit on vacation.
Table of Contents
Resource Conservation Student at Lake Superior
- Location: Nipigon, Ontario
- Salary: $17.75 to $31.69 per hour
- Employment Period: May 2026 to early September 2026
- Application Deadline: March 8, 2026
Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area is recruiting a highly motivated student to join its Resource Conservation Team.
Once formally established, this protected area will become one of the largest protected areas of fresh water in the world.
The position involves hands-on fieldwork that environmental science students dream about.
Daily responsibilities include assisting with fieldwork preparation and execution, data collection and management, equipment maintenance, and year-end reporting.
Projects span fish, bird, bat, amphibian, and vegetation surveys, as well as remote recorder servicing.
Working at Lake Superior means experiencing what many call Canada’s freshwater ocean.
The work environment combines challenging terrain with breathtaking scenery, requiring candidates comfortable with wilderness travel, physically demanding fieldwork in wetlands, forests, rugged coastlines, and aquatic environments.
Who Can Apply
The Resource Conservation Student position is open to candidates who meet the following criteria.
- You must be registered as a full-time or part-time secondary or post-secondary student in an accredited academic program, or be a recent graduate within the last four months.
- Alternatively, candidates participating in adult education and retraining programs at the secondary level qualify.
- The minimum age requirement is 14 years, and all applicants must have legal status to work in Canada, whether through Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or a valid work permit.
Preference may be given to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, visible minorities, or individuals with disabilities.
Essential Experience Required
Successful candidates must demonstrate experience working both independently and in team environments.
Outdoor experience is critical, including travelling and working outdoors in inclement weather conditions on day and overnight trips.
Comfort working safely in and around water is mandatory, as is experience in data recording, organization, and management.
Working Conditions
The position requires candidates willing to wear a Parks Canada uniform, travel between various work sites in inclement weather, work shift work including weekends, holidays, and overtime.
Unique requirements include willingness to handle wildlife (including live and deceased fish) and camp in the backcountry overnight.
A valid Class G1, G2, or G driver’s license is preferred, and possession or willingness to obtain Wilderness First Aid with CPR certification is required.
Important note: No student housing is available for this position. Candidates must arrange their own accommodation in the Nipigon area.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted through two methods. Online applicants should visit the GC Jobs website.
Alternatively, candidates can email their resume and cover letter to rhugon-nofuhr@pc.gc.ca, referencing the process number 2026-CAP-NMCA-SU-EA-09.
Cover letters must clearly demonstrate how candidates meet the education and experience criteria using concrete examples rather than simple statements.
Maintenance Worker II Tobermory, ON
- Location: Tobermory, Ontario
- Salary: $27.30 to $29.69 per hour (under review)
- Employment Period: April to December (0.75 FTE)
- Application Deadline: February 26, 2026
Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park are seeking a dedicated Maintenance Worker II to help maintain facilities that serve over 500,000 annual visitors.
This position offers nearly year-round employment rather than typical summer-only seasonal work.
At the top end, this position pays approximately $61,700 annually for the 0.75 FTE term, making it one of the higher-paying seasonal maintenance positions in Ontario’s parks system.
Job Responsibilities
Maintenance Worker II duties encompass a broad range of facility and grounds care. Workers maintain and repair facilities and structures including trails, campsites, shrubs, grass, and roads using both manual techniques and equipment.
Inspection and reporting on facility conditions forms a significant component of the role.
Additional responsibilities include performing tests and verifications on systems and equipment, cleaning equipment and worksites for transport and storage, basic maintenance and repair of tools, and responding to visitor inquiries by directing them to appropriate information sources.
Qualifications
The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent experience. Candidates must demonstrate experience in building construction and maintenance, general maintenance of trails and landscaping, operating maintenance equipment, and working effectively as part of a team.
Knowledge requirements include understanding of Parks Canada places and its mandate, familiarity with Saugeen Ojibway Nation Anishinabek, building and landscaping maintenance knowledge, and workplace safety practices.
Physical demands include ability to carry 50 pounds for up to 300 meters. Experience with small engine repairs is considered an asset.
Eligibility
This position is open to residents of Ontario, with preference potentially given to persons residing within 60 km of Tobermory, registered members of Saugeen Ojibway Nation Anishinabek, and veterans.
A valid Class G2 or G driver’s license is required. Successful candidates must obtain certifications including WHMIS, First Aid/CPR, and potentially certifications for operating ground vehicles and marine vessels.
Click here to get more information on this job and apply online.
Parks Canada Summer 2026 Hiring Campaign Now Open
Parks Canada has officially opened its Summer 2026 Job Inventory, seeking energetic and enthusiastic students and temporary staff across its vast network of national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas.
The application deadline is March 1, 2026, but positions will be filled on a rolling basis, making early application essential.
The application process takes less than 15 minutes and allows candidates to select up to 10 preferred work locations and 10 preferred job types, maximizing opportunities for placement.
Student positions offer hourly wages ranging from $17.75 to $28 based on level of study, while some entry-level seasonal roles pay up to $30 per hour.
These rates represent competitive federal compensation that outpaces many private sector summer jobs.
Complete List of Summer Job Categories
Parks Canada employs students and temporary workers across diverse job areas each summer.
Current opportunities exist in cleaning and facility maintenance, computing and data management, engineering support roles, environmental conservation, restoration and management positions, event planning and coordination, and finance and accounting support.
Additional categories include fire team crew positions, gate attendance and cashier services, general administration and clerical work, general labour and maintenance, heritage presentation and interpretation, and human resources support.
Specialized opportunities exist in Indigenous relations and history, information management, library and archives work, Learn-to Camp programming, lifeguarding at designated areas, lock and bridge operation along historic waterways, and marketing and communications.
Creative roles include multimedia creation covering video, animation, web, and mobile applications. Analytical positions encompass portfolio, policy and planning analysis, research and analytics work, and security and law enforcement support.
Outdoor-focused positions include site and campground services, skilled trades, supply chain management, trail crew work, and web content and social media management.
Click here to apply for Summer Jobs.
Important Application Information
All Parks Canada summer positions follow Government of Canada hiring processes.
Applications submitted through the Summer Job Inventory receive consideration for multiple positions based on selected preferences, maximizing placement opportunities with a single application.
The March 1, 2026 deadline applies to the general Summer Job Inventory, while specific positions like the Lake Superior Resource Conservation Student (March 8, 2026) and Bruce Peninsula Maintenance Worker II (February 26, 2026) have their own closing dates.
Housing is not guaranteed at most Parks Canada locations. Candidates should research accommodation options in their preferred work locations before applying.
The Tobermory and Nipigon areas have limited rental availability during peak season, making early planning essential.
Security clearance at the Reliability Status level is required for all positions. The screening process begins after conditional offers are made.
How to Succeed in Your Parks Canada Application
Strong applications demonstrate specific experience rather than general statements. When describing outdoor experience, include details about weather conditions faced, terrains navigated, and challenges overcome.
Data management experience should reference specific software and database systems used.
Cover letters should directly address each qualification listed in the job posting, using concrete examples from academic projects, volunteer work, previous employment, or personal pursuits.
References should be prepared and informed before listing them. Parks Canada hiring processes move quickly once candidates advance to the reference check stage.
For positions requiring physical capability, honestly assess whether you can meet the demands.
Working in rugged terrain while carrying equipment is fundamentally different from recreational hiking.
Language in applications should reflect the position’s requirements.
Most Ontario positions require English only, but bilingual candidates may find additional opportunities, particularly at historic sites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to be a Canadian citizen to apply for Parks Canada summer jobs?
No, Parks Canada summer jobs are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with valid work permits that authorize employment in Canada. International students studying at Canadian institutions may be eligible if they hold valid work permits.
What happens if I cannot find housing near Parks Canada job locations like Nipigon or Tobermory?
Parks Canada explicitly states that lodging is not guaranteed and most locations do not provide housing. This means housing is entirely the candidate’s responsibility. For remote locations like Nipigon and Tobermory, options include renting rooms from local residents, seasonal cabin rentals, RV or camping arrangements during warmer months, or shared housing with other seasonal workers.
Can Parks Canada summer jobs lead to permanent federal government employment?
Yes, Parks Canada summer positions can serve as stepping stones to permanent careers. The federal hiring system recognizes Parks Canada experience, and many permanent employees began as students or seasonal workers. Additionally, internal job postings give current and former Parks Canada employees priority consideration. Several park superintendents and senior managers started their careers as summer students, demonstrating the genuine advancement potential within the agency.
What is the actual take-home pay after deductions for Parks Canada hourly positions?
Parks Canada positions follow standard federal deduction rates. For a student earning $25 per hour working 40 hours weekly, gross weekly pay is $1,000. Approximate deductions include federal tax (around 15% for this income bracket), CPP contributions (5.95% on earnings above the exemption), and EI premiums (1.63%). Provincial tax varies by province but runs approximately 5% for Ontario at this income level. Net weekly take-home pay typically ranges from $700-750 for positions at the $25/hour level. Higher-paying positions like the Resource Conservation Student at $31.69/hour see proportionally higher deductions but significantly better take-home amounts.
What makes the Lake Superior Resource Conservation Student position different from typical park summer jobs?
The Lake Superior position offers genuine scientific fieldwork rather than visitor services or maintenance tasks that characterize most summer park employment. Students conduct actual ecological surveys covering fish, birds, bats, amphibians, and vegetation while contributing to establishing one of the world’s largest freshwater protected areas. The salary range reaches $31.69 per hour, substantially higher than typical student positions because pay is based on academic level rather than a flat rate.
What job opportunities are available with Parks Canada in Ontario?
Parks Canada is currently hiring for summer 2026, offering various positions across Ontario, including roles in visitor services, maintenance, and park management. These jobs may involve outdoor work, customer service, and environmental education, with pay rates reaching up to $30 per hour. Interested candidates can apply through the Parks Canada job portal and should prepare for seasonal employment, particularly during the summer months. For the latest job listings and application deadlines, visit the official portal.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: New Canada GST Credit Top-Up Confirmed & Here’s How Much You Will Get
New Ontario Minimum Wage Increase Coming In 2026
New Canada Child Benefit Payments To Be Sent On February 20
Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Canada For 2026 | New List