Boat Captain – Great Lakes Fisheries Vessel Master (1)

← Back to search results Apply By: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 11:59 pm EDT Boat Captain – Great Lakes Fisheries Vessel Master Job ID: 249315 Posting status: Open Organization: Ministry of Natural Resources Division: Provincial Service Division, Fish & Wildlife Services Branch City: Owen Sound Position(s) language: English Job term: 1 Permanent Job code: 41117 - Vessel Master Salary: $1,436.89 - $1,649.45 Per week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement. Apply now Accessibility support Are you an experienced large boat operator with a passion for the Great Lakes and fisheries management? Join the Ministry of Natural Resources as a Great Lakes Fisheries Vessel Master (Boat Captain) of large lake vessels (up to 65') and play a vital role in supporting sustainable fisheries management on Lake Huron.
The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.
We offer:
• a defined benefit pension plan
• maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• comprehensive health plan
• life and disability insurance
• flexible work arrangements
• collegial and professional work culture
• career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• on-the-job training to support your success in the role. About the jobIn this position you will:
• command and operate large research vessels in diverse weather conditions to support fisheries science and management
• maintain and troubleshoot vessel systems including engines, hydraulics, navigation electronics, and communication equipment
• ensure safety of crew and equipment during all vessel operations, adhering to health and safety and Transport Canada regulations working practices at all times, such as safety of staff on board the vessel, as well as, compliance with all relevant Transport Canada regulations
• work with the team on program study design and logistics to ensure successful program delivery
• provide leadership and technical guidance to support the team during operational programming
• perform the duties of a fisheries technician, including operation of the small vessel fleet
• deploy sampling gear, sample fish in the lab and aging What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements• You have a valid class 'G' driver's licence or equivalent, as recognized by the Province of Ontario. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's licence upon being hired
• You possess, or have the ability to obtain a valid Transport Canada Master 150GT Domestic ticket (or as may be required in accordance with Provincial or Federal Legislation).
• You possess, or have the ability to obtain and maintain a marine first aid certificate.
• You possess, or have the ability to obtain a Restricted Radio Operators Certificate, Marine Class.
• You possess, or have the ability to obtain a valid passport for international travel.
Leadership and safety skills:• You exercise good judgment in a team leadership role, ensuring safety and security of staff and equipment during survey and vessel operations, taking consideration of weather, lake conditions, capabilities of support staff, and capabilities and status of vessel.
• You have good working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and those Regulations made under the Act that apply to the workplace and the work being performed.
Vessel operation and maintenance knowledge:• You have demonstrated ability to safely operate large lake vessels under a variety of weather conditions, including inclement weather.
• You have detailed knowledge of great lakes vessel design and maintenance (engines, hydraulic equipment, navigational electronics, and communications gear).
• You have the ability to operate motorized vehicles (light trucks, automobiles, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats and motors).
Fisheries knowledge:• You have sound knowledge of fish and wildlife legislation to provide technical guidance.
• You have knowledge of fish population assessment and research techniques for data collection for long-term data sets and for immediate use in fisheries management decision making.
• You have experience using fisheries assessment equipment such as gill nets, hoop nets, trawls and seines, and the ability to modify this equipment to meet local conditions/needs. Don't meet every qualification?If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate! How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibilityWe are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from 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. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and 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 us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

Additional information: Apply by: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 11:59 pm EDT Position details:

• 1 English Permanent, 2045 20th Ave E, Owen Sound, West Region

Compensation group: Ontario Public Service Employees Union Work hours: Schedule 4.7 Category: Fish and Wildlife Posted on: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Note:

• N-NR-249315/26

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and 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.
3. 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.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. 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 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.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.

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