Department:Programming & Experience - Animal Care and Agriculture

Position Type:Seasonal

Contract Start Date:April 1 2026

Contracts End Date:December 31 2026

Hours:Up to 40 hours per week

What we offer:

• Flexible work arrangements where no one day is similar
• Working in a beautiful park setting
• Free entrance to the Park including to our many public special events
• Employee discounts on food and retail items and free parking

Who We Are:

Heritage Park is Canadas largest living history museum and offers visitors a chance to experience life in Western Canada from the 1860s to the early 1950s. The Park features historical buildings costumed interpreters working antiques and various exhibits that provide insight into the regions past.

Job Overview:

Under the direction of the Animal Care & Agriculture Manager they provide care to all animals under their supervision. Reports any observations or concerns immediately. Maintain clean pens paddocks barn and ranch yard area. Keeps work areas and relevant equipment clean and properly maintained and generally assists in the overall Agricultural Programming operations at Heritage Park. The Senior Ranch Hand is responsible for ensuring the Ranch Hands are providing proper and adequate feed distribution as needed for each specific animal and knows each animals needs. Will oversee the proper preparation for camps and other specialized agriculture programming as needed.

Responsibilities:

Operational Support and Visitor Engagement

• Ensure all livestock are fed and tended to daily maintaining their health and well-being
  
• Keep relevant pens and areas associated with Agriculture Programming clean and organized Oversee the Ranch Hand staff and ensure that all daily tasks are completed according to Park standards
• Assist Teamster Assistants with hitching/unhitching and handling horses to gain valuable experience if operationally feasible
• Conduct repairs on fences gates and buildings as needed to maintain operational integrity
• Ensure guests staff and volunteers have a positive experience by being friendly and courteous greeting guests warmly and handling situations with positivity
• Create a welcoming environment for visitors answering questions and providing information to enhance their visit
• Perform other duties as required

Organizational Excellence and Wellbeing

• Contribute to inspiring and immersive experiences at the Park through your roles and responsibilities by engaging in Heritage Park initiatives that align with the overall mission and vision of the Park
• Demonstrate commitment to workplace health and safety by complying with Heritage Parks Health Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) following safe work practices reporting work-related incidents injuries and hazards participating in employer training and adhering policies including the Code of Conduct and the Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy
• Actively support a positive work environment by creating an atmosphere of inclusion engagement and fulfillment in line with Heritage Park values
• Demonstrate responsible stewardship of our people collections and financial assets by ensuring that they are handled with integrity sustainability and a focus on long-term benefits for the organization and its stakeholders

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of secondary education is required; post-secondary education in a field related to agriculture would be an asset
• Previous experience working with livestock is required
• Organized and alert while working around livestock
• Ability to learn new methods or procedures
• Strong work ethic and a desire to expand animal care knowledge
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills in a client-faced setting
• All successful candidates (over the age of 18) will be required to go through a Police Information Check as a condition of employment.

Special Clothing and Equipment:

• Appropriate costuming and safety equipment will be provided by Heritage Park;
• Footwear as designated by the Heritage Park Costume Department will be provided by the employee.

Special Working Conditions:

• This position involves physical labor and lifting upwards of 50-75 lbs on a regular basis is not uncommon. As this is largely an outdoor position exposure to a variety of weather conditions is certain. Working with livestock also implies a degree of unpredictability.
• Must be prepared to work in a variety of weather conditions including working outdoors in unheated buildings and non-air-conditioned buildings for extended periods of time. The incumbent may be required to stand or walk for long periods of time.

Hours of Work:

• Daily operations from May long-weekend to Labour day schedule will be five days per week with two consecutive days off;
• Weekend operations from Labour day to Thanksgiving weekend
• The schedule varies with hours up to 40 per week and will include weekdays weekends statutory holidays and fluctuating hours as required. Preference will be considered for candidates who will have open availability and flexibility

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