Sr. Teamster

Department: Programming & Experience - Animal Care and Agriculture

Position Type: Seasonal

Hourly Rate: $22.00               

Contract Start Date: April 1, 2025

Contracts End Date: December 31, 2025

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 Canada's 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 region's past.

Job Overview:

Under the direction of the Animal Care and Agriculture Manager and direct supervision of the Teamster Coordinator, this individual drives and cares for specified horses at Heritage Park and performs associated duties while ensuring safe transportation for visitors. Senior Teamsters are generally assigned to drive more excitable or less experienced teams of horses and are accompanied by a less experienced Teamster Assistant.

Responsibilities:

Horse Care and Transportation

• Harness and drive assigned teams in accordance with prescribed standards
• Ensure the safety of the horses pulling the vehicle, the teamster assistant, and any guests riding in the carriage
• Develop familiarity and rapport with the horses on the Park including knowledge and understanding of individual personalities and behaviours
• Recognize changes in horses' behavior, identify the cause of these changes (e.g., park stimuli), respond appropriately to the altered behavior, and communicate any observations and updates to the Manager of Animal Care and Agriculture, the Teamster Coordinator, other teamsters, and teamster assistants.
• Ensure horses are handled properly and that equipment is maintained in order to ensure visitor safety 
• Perform routine maintenance tasks on horse-drawn wagons and associated equipment, identifying and report any mechanical issues or safety concerns.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety during all transportation activities, following established safety protocols to minimize risks to self, employees, visitors, and animals
• Ensure proper care and handling of all assigned horses, including their cleaning, grooming, feeding and exercising 
• Directly train Teamster Assistants in driving, covering essential areas such as safety procedures, driving techniques, and key observations, including environmental factors, human interactions, and animal behavior and health
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Junior Teamsters, sharing their expertise and experience to support their professional development and ensure effective team management
• Observe for sickness, disease or injury, recognizing changes in health and/or behaviour (such as lethargy and lameness) in the horse and proceeding accordingly and assisting with appropriate treatment as required
• In the event of an emergency, such as a runaway, once the team has safely stopped, assess the situation to determine the appropriate next steps and provide direction or delegate tasks to the teamster assistant as needed
• Maintain and repair all assigned equipment, harness, machinery, buildings, fences, pens, corrals and pastures in accordance with prescribed standards, including those of safety and cleanliness 
• Assist in farming operation at Heritage Park including plowing, seeding, harvesting, haying and threshing if required
• 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 Park's 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:

• Post-secondary education in a field related to animal husbandry, or industry related experience is an asset 
• Minimum 1500 hours (or 1 years’) experience or advanced experience in driving (horses), teams and or single horses is required within the past 8 years
• Must pass Heritage Park driving test (administered by Teamster Coordinator) as part of hiring process
• Previous experience in an agricultural setting working with draft horses or other livestock is required
• Demonstratable skills as a teamster and in caring for horses
• Knowledge and skill in how to address health and behaviour issues in a horse including when to escalate concern to the vet
• Knowledge of safe operating techniques and emergency situations/procedures is mandatory 
• Relevant skills in repairing related equipment are preferred 
• Ability to work independently as well as in 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 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 and in unheated and non airconditioned buildings for extended periods of time. The incumbent may be required to stand or walk for long periods of time. 

Hours of Work:

• The schedule varies and will include weekdays, weekends, statutory holidays, and fluctuating hours as required up to 40 hrs per week. 
  
• Preference will be considered for candidates who will have open availability and flexibility. 

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