Organization: Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

Are you interested in a fulfilling career at the world’s largest fur trade post? Fort William Historical Park offers employment opportunities in a wide variety of fields and disciplines. Fort William Historical Park is operated by the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. It is part of the Ontario Public Service (OPS). As an OPS employee, you will join over 60,000 professionals working together to improve life and work across the province.

Division: Agency Relations and Accountability Division

Position(s) language: English

Job code: 94024 – Artisan 3

Salary: $1,162.80 – $1,264.40 Per week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Ignite your passion for history and craftsmanship at Fort William Historical Park

Fort William Historical Park brings history to life for visitors worldwide. The site offers hands-on demonstrations, workshops, reenactments, educational programs, and special events.

As the Cooper/Carpenter, you will play an important role in both preserving and sharing traditional woodworking knowledge and hand skills. You will teach students and guests about the roles of the cooper and carpenter. This includes maintaining the heritage site, preserving interpretive structures and exhibits, and keeping the 19th-century spirit of adventure alive! Ready to shape the future by preserving the past?

Note: You need to be able to work evenings, weekends, and extra hours if needed.

About the job

As a team member at Fort William Historical Park (FWHP), you will bring history to life. You will also craft authentic period reproductions. Every day will be a new venture, filled with activities such as:

guide educational programs and workshops for visitors and school groups.
create accurate cooper and carpentry items.
demonstrate traditional techniques for an immersive experience
join dramatizations, festivals, and special events
preserve as well as maintain historic structures with the team
train and mentor staff, students, and volunteers

What you bring to the team as Cooper/ Carpenter

Mandatory requirements

firstly, you must have a valid Class G Ontario driver’s license
ability to obtain Class CZ Ontario drivers license
ability to obtain forklift operators license

Artisan expertise

You can:

demonstrate 19th-century coopering and carpentry at Fort William Historical Park
use both heritage and modern coopering and carpentry skills, techniques, and tools
fabricate various wooden objects from raw materials
master skills like wood and metal hooping, stave fitting, and firing casks
use advanced hand and power tools

Living history and education skills

Further, you can:

act out and explain both historical events and characters
present educational workshops to staff and the public
apply the Ontario school curriculum related to 1800s coopering
use computer skills to prepare reports and program outlines
develop as well as execute period coopering and carpentry programs
take part in historical dramatizations, festivals, and outreach programs

Collaboration and team leadership skills

Additionally, you can:

effectively utilize team leadership skills
collaborate effectively with colleagues
plan and organize activities for seasonal staff
review and ensure quality of work performed by staff
research fur trade era topics, including coopering and carpentry techniques
train and mentor staff, students, and volunteers in historical methods

Technical and manual skills

Lastly, you can:

follow detailed blueprints and plans with precision
use correct tools and materials to build items
shape wood using broadaxes, planes, and drawknives
check and maintain tools and supplies

Don’t meet every qualification?

If this position excites you, but you don’t meet every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. Besides, we recognize that no single candidate will have all listed qualifications. You might be the right fit for the role!

What we offer

The Cooper/Carpenter position is part of a creative team of living history programmers in FWHP’s Program Development and Implementation Department (PDI). The department is led by a manager with 32 years of interpretive experience. They strongly believe in collaboration and also, encourage innovation in sharing history and culture with visitors

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario’s largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more

The Cooper/Carpenter role comes with both a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:

a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
group health, dental, life and disability benefits
a range of both vacation and leave options
an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counselling services

Additional information:

Apply by: Monday, March 3, 2025 11:59 pm EST

Position details: 1 English Permanent, 1350 King Rd, Thunder Bay, North Region, Vulnerable Sector Check

Compensation group: Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Work hours: Schedule 4

Category: Maintenance and Trades

Posted on: Friday, February 14, 2025

Note:

In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.

With your written consent, required security screening checks will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, and Talent and Leadership Division for evaluation. If needed, the TSO may request and obtain additional screening checks not provided directly by you.

A record under the Criminal Code or other federal offences does not automatically disqualify you from this position. Also, the TSO will review and evaluate employment screening checks solely for security clearance decisions. Screening details will additionally be assessed based on the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
T-TM-225925/25

How to apply for Cooper/Carpenter (Historic Trade Specialist):

You must apply online.
Your cover letter as well as resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
Additionally, customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in both English and French. Check the “position(s) language” section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you’ll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Strengthening Ontario, together

How we supports diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all interested candidates. This includes individuals with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people of all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario’s Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Also, we are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes. We can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process, please contact here.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

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