Students: join our Discovery team this summer

Applications are for our 2024 season are now open! Read on to learn more about spending the summer with us.

Discovery rangers are the storytellers of Ontario Parks.

Roughly 300 Discovery staff work in over 60 parks across the province engaging visitors with stories of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage.

Discovery rangers help our visitors experience the best of what Ontario Parks has to offer by facilitating experiences through educational and interpretive programming.

Piqued your interest? Learn more about how you can join our Discovery team.

Is the Discovery program for me?

Are you someone who enjoys communicating with people and sharing your knowledge and passion with others?

Yes?

Then working for Discovery is absolutely for you!

Don’t know a lot about nature and history? That’s okay! You don’t need to be an expert to be a Discovery ranger.

Discovery staff in Ontario Parks come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including post-secondary programs in:

the creative arts (music, drama, fine arts)
health studies (kinesiology, psychology)
classical studies (languages, anthropology, history)
science (biology, environmental sciences)

Our Discovery staff receive training on the unique natural and cultural stories located within their individual parks.

Speak with one of our Discovery staff now better understand what working in Discovery is all about.

Sign up for one of our one-on-one virtual sessions to have all your questions answered. Just be sure to select a staff member from within the Discovery department when booking your session.

How do I apply to work in the Discovery program?

Students can apply to be a Discovery ranger by visiting the Ontario Public Service Careers website.

Once there, you’ll have the option to select which position you are interested in (select Discovery ranger), and which parks you would like to apply for.

For more information about applying, check out this blog.

Here’s the important part: not every provincial park offers Discovery programs, and not all Discovery programs are the same.

There are two kinds of Discovery programs that you can work in:

Enhanced Discovery programs with a team of staff

Over 20 Discovery program parks employ a large team of staff that carry out substantial Discovery activities, including:

formal educational and interpretive programming such as staff-led guided hikes, children’s programs, theatrical evening programs, canoe hikes, etc.
community science initiatives such as bioblitzes and volunteer programs
species at risk monitoring programs
invasive species removal and habitat restoration projects
Visitor Centre exhibits and museums

…and much, much more!

These parks have a full team of Discovery staff, led by experienced naturalists, historians, and interpreters who have vast expertise in topics ranging from birds and amphibians to the Victorian Era and War of 1812.

Each of these parks hires a team of students to help run Discovery programming, however many of these parks also hire senior level positions to assist with larger tasks.

Looking for an opportunity to expand your leadership skills in a senior level position? Email us at discoveryschool@ontario.ca with your resume and cover letter!

Discovery programs with Exploration Stations

Over 40 Ontario Parks across the province hire one or two student Discovery staff that specifically offer Discovery Exploration Stations for families with children.

These Exploration Stations offer a flexible time frame for families to stop by, pick up tools and tips for exploring the topic of the day (such as Amazing Amphibians!), and explore alongside our Discovery ranger.

Student Discovery rangers work with a Discovery Program leader who oversees a number of parks.