security officer

animal caretaker

equipment operator

laborer

bar manager

Assiniboine Park Conservancy

This can be a decent first job for someone who is new to the workforce and looking to gain experience in the food service industry. The company is generally willing to hire employees with little to no previous experience, making it a good starting point for many people.

The job involves a wide variety of responsibilities, including operating the cash register, preparing food and drink orders, washing dishes, cleaning tables, organizing supplies, assisting with inventory, and transporting supplies to other concession locations throughout the zoo and the Lyric Theatre. Because of this, employees gain experience in many different areas and develop a strong, versatile work ethic.

The work can be physically and emotionally demanding at times, especially during busy weekends or hot weather. Customer complaints about wait times or food quality can also be common during peak periods, which is typical in the food service industry.

Management expectations can be high, and communication may sometimes come across as harsh or stressful during busy situations. However, many employees build strong friendships with their coworkers, which helps make long shifts more enjoyable.

One advantage of working here is the opportunity to get consistent hours, as staffing needs are often high. While employee turnover appears to be relatively frequent, the position can provide valuable experience that helps employees move on to other restaurant or hospitality jobs in the future.

Overall, I would recommend this job as a stepping stone for someone seeking their first year of work experience and wanting to develop skills across many areas of food service.


Management doesn’t really respect staff under them and doesn’t take their advice. Some employees have been working here for a lot longer than management and know operations better, but are overridden when it comes to animal care and decisions simply because it’s not aesthetically pleasing. Low-ranked workers are treated like children, given often times what seem like pointless tasks when they would be a lot more useful elsewhere. Hard work, showing up on time or early, going beyond expectations etc are never recognized by management. Qualified employees who apply for better positions are passed over for less experienced and less qualified people outside of park. Hours aren’t flexible and some people have suffered outside of work due to this. Seasonal and attendant staff are used as cheap labour, keeping them in low paying positions, despite many being more than qualified to move up in position. There’s no communication with staff, decisions, often big ones that majorly affect operations, are made without notice or discussion with the staff or affects. People simply show up to work and things are different with no explanation given. Schedules are changed without notice or consultation of staff. Staff who are working in uncomfortable situations are told to simply deal with it, especially if it would affect aesthetics or visitor attendance. 

As an introverted volunteer, my experience at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy Summer Camp has been incredibly positive and rewarding. The staff foster a welcoming and supportive environment that respects different personalities and working styles. I especially enjoy spending time with children, and this role allowed me to connect with campers in meaningful ways — whether assisting with small group activities, providing one-on-one support, or helping behind the scenes. The thoughtfully planned programming, centered around outdoor exploration and environmental education, creates a calm yet engaging atmosphere where both campers and volunteers can thrive.

What stood out most was the encouragement and guidance provided by the leadership team. They offer clear communication, structured expectations, and genuine appreciation for every volunteer’s contributions. This experience has helped me build confidence, strengthen my communication skills, and grow personally while remaining true to my strengths. Having volunteered with the Summer Camp for three years, I can confidently say it is a supportive, inclusive, and truly five-star experience.


The management is so SOOO poor. Favouritism is obvious, if they don't like you as much as the others they make it hard for you to do well because they'll pick apart everything you do. I was forced to work outside so many times when it was pouring rain for over 2 hours because the manager continued to say "just wait it will stop". You do one thing the manager doesn't like and your weekly hours are cut in half. The stress is not worth it for such little pay. There were at least a dozen times when I'd be getting into work 10-20mins before my shift started just to be told to go home because my shift was cut. I did like the people I worked with most of the time, but the team leaders are extremely controlling. One time I was at the ice cream shop and it was raining meaning there was no business for hours on end, so I proceeded to clean counters, ice cream machine, refill cups, straws, fold napkins until there was literally nothing left to do so I watched a video on YouTube and the team leader yelled at me and forced me to unfold and refold the napkins I had already folded 20 times. To conclude spare yourself the stress and DO NOT WORK HERE.

Very little to no training and lots of miscommunication will often lead to managements frustration lashing out on lower employees. Management can often be disrespectful to staff, especially after asking questions, which leads to staff making decisions on their own without asking questions and this leads to  Management frustration and so on in a cycle. Management chooses to relay important information verbally instead of using the messaging application used for scheduling, and then is frustrated when everyone is not aware of the changes. Pay is minimum for most employees and there is no tips, leading to a VERY high turnover rate for older staff. 

Management is fairly flexible with scheduling and is often willing to make accommodations. Hours are good and plentiful. The work is fairly easy and coworkers made many days enjoyable. The busy days are very busy, and the slow days are incredibly slow. The work is largely weather dependent which can be a bit frustrating. 

Management is horrible! they schedule outside availability and change the schedule when they mess up one of their favourites staff members schedule and give their least favourite staff members the worst treatment. They always make you stay 8.5 hours without paying you overtime since their excuse is that “the system deducts half hour breaks once you hit 5 hours” so even if you don’t get a break you still stay 8.5 hours and you get paid 8 hours! how ironic. Whenever you ask a manager to change/fix your timecard they give you attitude even though the supervisors are the ones that are supposed to stay on top of breaks and write down if someone takes a break, they never do! lol so you work overtime without getting paid for it and even get deducted half hour because of their “system”. Save your time and apply elsewhere :)

Overall great experience and community.
You use this app called "7shifts" where you can actually choose when you work. The hours you do work can vary, if its raining you'll be sent home early due to lack of customers or you might have to work 30 minutes to an hour more if there's a lot to clean up.
Training isn't something that's set up, manager just gives you to some random person who'll tell you whatever they can. The first day, there will always be someone beside you but after that, you just have to ask a bunch of questions to who ever is near. Everyone is nice and supportive so its not a problem.
Team Leaders and Supervisors were amazing, only 'complaint' was the 'training'.
Highly recommended job, especially for those who don't have much experience.

Working at The Park Cafe was a great first job for when I was 16, though it was only a summer job for me I found myself working long hours, 5 days per week which wasn't ideal for me. Overall my coworkers were people that I could learn a lot from because of their great experience. I did not get a chance to serve while I was working at The Park Cafe because I was underaged but I did have many responsibilities such as opening and closing the door of the restaurant, preparing table for guests, seating guests and delivering food to tables. My experience working at The Park cafe was good for a first job and definitely helped me learn about the work place and customer service .

Toxic work environments, poorly trained and uncaring management, favouritism, executives seem to use corporate “team-building” to gloss over issues within the corporation’s internal structure and operational neglect. For a relatively small organization, communication, accountability and proactivity are severely lacking. Daily work life is mentally and physically draining. Benefits are okay if you’re lucky enough to qualify. Would love to have our CEO go undercover in the food services department and see how unprofessional and abusive mgmt and workers are towards each other. SOS

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working outside in a beautiful place. Low stress.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Low pay compared to the same work with day, the city, poor management, favouritism in management appointments.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Laid back, but nonsensical in many regards. If you are not a self-starter, you will be bored to tears.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Low stress, generally peaceful, full of good honest work.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Security officer 5 salaries reported	$21.40 per hour
Animal caretaker 14 salaries reported	$20.58 per hour
Equipment operator 2 salaries reported	$25.16 per hour
Laborer 9 salaries reported	$17.73 per hour
Bar manager 2 salaries reported	$18.40 per hour

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