Job Description

The Library of Parliament is a non-partisan organization that provides a unique and stimulating work environment. We are led by our guiding principles of agility, collaboration, excellence, impartiality, and inclusion. We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer in the National Capital Region For more information about the Library and what we offer, visit Employment opportunities at the Library of Parliament

Become a Parliamentary Guide!

Join us for an unforgettable experience working in the heart of Canadian democracy while interpreting the history, architecture, and legislative process of Canada’s Parliament.

What we do

Being a Parliamentary Guide is a unique and rewarding experience. You will:

• Learn about Canada’s Parliament through comprehensive training.
• Welcome visitors and lead guided tours of the Parliament Buildings.
• Facilitate programming at Parliament: The Immersive Experience
• Develop your public speaking skills and other professional competencies.
• Practice your second official language daily.
• Meet interesting people from across the country and around the world.

Training

New guides receive paid training, with sessions covering:

• Parliament’s history;
• The Canadian legislative process and the role of parliamentarians;
• The art and architecture of Parliament;
• Interpretive techniques;
• And more.

Qualifications

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be bilingual in English and French. Parliamentary Guides provide tours in Canada’s two official languages, so applicants must be able to speak both fluently.
• Be considered a full-time student at an accredited, Canadian university for the current school year. Students studying at a Canadian college or CEGEP who hold a university degree are also eligible.
• Be able to work a variable schedule and a minimum of 15 hours a week and up to 70 hours per pay period including weekends and statutory holidays.

Selection Criteria:

Candidates are assessed and selected for interviews according to the following criteria:

• Relevant experience (interpretation and guiding, customer service, public speaking, etc.);
• Range of experience (employment, volunteer and/or extracurricular experience in client services, interpersonal skills, teamwork, etc.);
• Strong communication skills.

Interview Criteria:

Group interviews are held virtually. Candidates are assessed according to the following criteria during the interview:

• Superior oral communication and interpersonal skills;
• Professionalism and judgement;
• Creativity, adaptability, confidence, and a capacity to engage;
• Initiative, focus, and teamwork;
• Ability to speak clearly, coherently, and accurately, and to convey and understand a message easily in their second language;
• Knowledge of the Canadian legislative process and the history of Parliament.

Additional Information

Parliamentary guides are required to work indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions.

Frequent weekend work is a requirement of the position.

The following documents (in PDF format only) must be included with your application, and uploaded in the additional attachments box on the second page of the application form.

• Confirmation of university student status (proof of registration, proof of tuition payment, or proof of student status issued by an accredited Canadian university).
• A curriculum vitae (resumé).
• A one-page cover letter.

Recruitment Process:

• Applications are evaluated on an on-going basis.
• Qualified candidates:
  • are contacted based on the eligibility and selection criteria.
  • will participate in a virtual group interview.
  • will be contacted for second language testing by the House of Commons Language Assessment Centre.
  • are asked to complete and submit security clearance forms.
• Successful candidates are offered employment as a Parliamentary Guide following a successful interview, second language testing, security clearance and reference checks.

The Library of Parliament welcomes all candidates to apply and encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons and persons with disabilities for this position.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace by providing a barrier-free staffing process. If you have an accommodation request or require material in an accessible format, please contact us at Guides@parl.gc.ca