Are you attending college or university full-time and looking for an amazing summer job? Go no further, because you’ve just found it!

We are looking for two post-secondary students to be our energetic, enthusiastic and charismatic tour guides. You will work for the dinosaur initiative that is responsible for building the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum which in turn will raise palaeontological, archaeological and geological awareness in northern Alberta.  The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum will be located on highway 43 near Wembley, Alberta. Construction commences this summer and the building is scheduled to be completed for the opening of the museum in August 2014!

With your charisma and enthusiasm for science and entertainment, you will boldly guide members of the public on a two-hour guided dinosaur tour to an active palaeontological dig site and learn and perform two  previously written 45-minute dinosaur themed theatrical performances. From the training you will receive from our education manager and resident palaeontologists you will create and facilitate 30-minute educational sessions focusing on topics such as dinosaur skin impressions, dinosaur trackways, fossils and the local Aboriginal history. You will create props, graphics, diagrams, charts and more to compliment your dinosaur tour, educational sessions and interpretive plays.

Finally, with your excellent communication skills and love for children of all ages you will assist the Education Manager (who is also your direct supervisor) in delivering curriculum-based school programs throughout the region.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

You will have the opportunity to utilize your research and dramatic skills by developing and guiding tours for the public. Be prepared to learn a great deal about geology, palaeontology and Alberta’s flora, fauna, Aboriginal and natural history as well as interpretive skills and knowledge of the Alberta curriculum. What more could you want in a summer job than being an ambassador, bringing public awareness to palaeontology, archaeology, geology, biology and science? It’s amazing!

Student Will Acquire the Following skills:

1. Leadership
2. Written and oral presentation skills
3. Theoretical and practical knowledge of the Alberta Curriculum
4. Knowledge of palaeontology, geology and Alberta’s flora, fauna and Aboriginal history
5. Time and task management and organization
6. Experience as a tour guide or educator
7. Theatrical skills: scripted and improvised
8. Artistic skills: prop creation, photography, fossil cast and mold production
9. Promotional skills

RESPONSIBILITIES

You will work both independently and with your partner to:

1. Learn the two-hour River of Death & Discovery Dinosaur Bonebed guided tour.
2. Deliver daily (Friday – Sunday) dinosaur tours to the public.
3. Deliver 30-minute educational sessions on the following topics: fossils and the Aboriginal story of the Beaver people.
4. Develop 30-minute educational sessions on the following topics: dinosaur skin impressions and dinosaur trackways.
5. Create new materials and ideas to aid and enhance the dinosaur tour and dinosaur theatrical performances (i.e., maps, photos, diagrams, dinosaur hats, audience participation etc.).
6. Assist the Education Manager in delivering school programs upon teacher request until the end of June.
7. Gain an understanding of curriculum-based museum programs.
8. Assist with assorted office and administrative tasks (i.e. helping with mail-out of monthly newsletter, painting dinosaur bone replicas, assembling Membership Packages, etc.).
9. Learn two 45-minute interpretive and educational dinosaur themed plays to be delivered to the public every Saturday and Sunday starting June 22, 2013. Plays are free for the public.
10. Learn the palaeontology, geology, archaeology and natural history of Alberta and the Peace Country region.
11. Develop a kit that allows families to participate in self-guided dinosaur activities within the boundaries of Pipestone Creek Park campground.

Additional requirements

1. Police Security Check
2. Work Friday evenings and weekends from June 14 to September 1,  2013
3. Physically able to stand for several hours and hike up to 5 kilometres
4. Able to lift moderately heavy objects

Qualifications

The two successful candidates will be responsible team players who are comfortable working with children, seniors and the general public of all ages. Excellent communication skills and feeling comfortable guiding and speaking in front of large groups are a must.

The ideal candidate will have/be:

1. A current university/college student obtaining a degree in education, drama, palaeontology, geology, science, biology, archaeology or equivalent and is a returning student,
2. Experience working with children, youth and the general public,
3. Performance skills (drama, music, dance, visual arts)
4. An interest in Alberta’s geology, palaeontology, archaeology,  flora and fauna and natural history,
5. A self-starter with the ability to work independently, with a partner and in a small office environment,
6. Fluent in written and spoken English
7. Efficient in Microsoft Office and using the internet
8. Valid Standard First Aid Certificate
9. Valid Alberta Drivers License
10. Access to  own vehicle
11. Well organized, attention to detail and able to pursue multiple tasks,
12. An excellent problem solver, and
13. A background facilitating education and/or public programs and tours.

Additional Information

Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their oral presentation skills.

Work hours will adhere to the following schedule, with some flexibility:
Monday - off
Tuesday – off
Wednesday - 8:30 – 4:30
Thursday – 8:30 – 4:30
Friday 12:00 – 8:00 (subject to change)
Saturday 10:00 – 6:00 (subject to change)
Sunday 10:00 – 6:00 (subject to change)

Exception: the successful candidates will work from Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4:30 from May 13 to June 7, 2013, after which the candidates will work Wednesday to Sunday from June 12 to September 1, 2013. During this transition, the candidate will receive June 8 to June 11 off.

Wage: $15.00/hour, paid every two weeks. Employee will receive standard EI, CPP, statutory holidays and vacation pay.

Benefits: none

Overtime pay: not applicable

CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY:

CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY IS STIPULATED BY THE YOUNG CANADA WORKS GRANT GUIDELINES.

ANY STUDENT APPLYING MUST:

1. Be legally entitled to work in Canada.
2. Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada. Note: Non-Canadian students holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible.
3. Be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment.
4. Be registered in the YCW on-line candidate inventory. (see “To Apply”)
5. Be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment.
6. Not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed
7. Have been a full-time student (as defined by his or her educational institution) in the semester preceding the job.
8. Intend to return to full-time studies in the semester following the job.

Application Deadline:  Monday, April 22 at 4:30 pm (Alberta time)

To apply

Visit the following website to register in the Young Canada Works on-line candidate inventory, https://www.youngcanadaworks.ca/index-eng.cfm

Mail, fax or e-mail your resume to the following address. (E-mail is preferred)

Mailing Address: County of Grande Prairie No.  1
c/o   Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative
Attention: Laura Beauchamp, Education Manager
10001 – 84 Avenue
Clairmont, Alberta T0H 0W0, Canada

E-mail: lbeauchamp@countygp.ab.ca
Fax:   780.532.8788

**Only successful candidates will be contacted on either Tuesday, April 23 or Wednesday, April 24 and scheduled for an interview on one of the following days, Thursday, April 25 or Friday, April 26, 2013. Skype interviews are possible.