Are you a student or recent graduate looking for an opportunity to build your career over the summer? Are you passionate about making a difference?
The Summer Employment Opportunities program provides opportunities to obtain valuable work experience, gain transferable skills, and build professional networks.
- LEARN: Jump start your career, whether you want to learn business skills, use your French language skills, help out in a lab, or work outdoors. Put the knowledge you've acquired at school into action.
- GROW: Enhance your skills and expand your network by working on projects, leading initiatives and sharing your ideas. Transfer the skills you learn to your future school and work experiences.
- CONTRIBUTE: In addition to advancing your professional and personal skills, you will also give back to your community. Spend your summer working to support the interests of Ontarians!
Information to assist you with the application process is available on the
Summer Employment Opportunities website (opens in a new tab).This job posting represents multiple positions within different ministries and at various locations across Ontario. Certain cities may be located in distant or remote areas in Ontario and may not be accessible by public transit. Carefully review locations through Google Maps (opens in a new tab) and select ONLY those locations that you are able to travel to and work in. You can select up to 10 locations.
Notes:
- Relocation expenses and/or accommodations are not covered by ministries.
- The number of positions to be filled is approximate and subject to change.
- Please use your legal name when applying to the job ad.
- Summer placements are typically full-time (working 36.25hrs/week or 40 hrs/week). However some part-time placements MAY be available based on mutual agreement between the hiring manager and student, if operationally feasible. Please inquire at the interview stage.
About the job
This job type offers opportunities for professional development in the area of agriculture, environmental science and geomatics. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is the official custodian of many diverse provincial-scale Geographic Information System (GIS) data layers – all with an agricultural focus. These include the soil classification, Canada Land Inventory (CLI), field tile drainage, constructed drain, agricultural resource inventory (AgRI), and other layers.
Work Description
As an Agricultural Field Information Assistant, you may have the opportunity to work on some or all of the following activities:
- Assist staff with data collection and entry to enhance provincial geomatics databases by making observations for a) soil classification, health, and erosion observations, and/or b) agricultural cropping and tillage systems.
- Access and enhance diverse provincial-scale GIS data layers – all with an agricultural focus. These include the soil classification, Canada Land Inventory (CLI), field tile drainage, constructed drain, agricultural resource inventory (AgRI), and many other layers.
- Use geomatics technology and field equipment techniques in conducting field projects. These techniques may include GIS software, Global Positioning System (GPS) with ArcPad, remote sensing spectral radiometer technology, high-resolution digital photography with digital SLR and high definition digital video cameras, and field soil sampling equipment.
- Actively participate in field work, which will include technical investigations, inspections, and site visits, as well as reconnaissance “windshield” survey mapping, and will require spending significant time in ministry vehicles.
- Plan, organize, coordinate, and manage daily assigned work.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
You must meet all eligibility criteria by the first day of employment (contracts begin between May and July):
- Student Status: You must be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution (currently or for the fall semester) OR you must have graduated within the past six months (for example, if you graduated in December, you can apply for and start a summer student position up until June of the following year).
- Age: You must be a minimum of 15 years of age. There is no maximum age limit.
- Residency: You must be a resident of Ontario during the term of employment.
- Work Status: You must be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) for the full duration of your summer employment.
- Application: Applications are only accepted online by clicking the "Apply Online" button. Your application should describe how you meet the knowledge and skill requirements outlined on this ad.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- You apply your written communication skills to prepare a variety of documents (e.g. reports, document findings, record data, presentations, meeting minutes, training materials, visual aids, etc.)
- You apply your customer service skills and your verbal, written, and active listening communication skills to respond to phone, email, and in-person inquiries, and provide information to internal clients and/or the public.
- You apply your initiative and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
Technical Skills and Knowledge
- You apply your knowledge of Ontario agricultural landscapes – their soils, cropping, tillage and land drainage systems – to detailed field information development projects. (some positions focus on soil mapping; others on crop and tillage system mapping)
- You apply your knowledge of field work applications of Geographic Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS) software and equipment
- You apply your experience using the Microsoft Office product suite, such as word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), databases; email and Internet to conduct research and prepare a variety of documents
Analytical and Organizational Skills
- You apply your planning and organizational skills to collect, organize, review and verify information/data through review of field maps, files, reports, and other means
- You work independently and as part of a team; you plan, organize and prioritize your time to meet competing deadlines
Other Requirements
- You have a valid G2 (or higher) Driver's Licence or equivalent.
Other student and recent graduate opportunities
See what other summer opportunities are currently available! Also, check out all the
other student and new recent graduate opportunities offered within the Ontario Public Service.
Don't meet every qualification?
The SEO program is designed for students and recent graduates who are looking to kick-start their careers and gain practical work experience. If you're excited about this position but don't meet all the listed qualifications, please still consider applying.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We 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:
What we offer
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 purpose-driven service culture with passionate professionals who contribute to our province
• a career that can grow across multiple job functions and program areas
• flexible learning opportunities, including professional development and mentorship programs
• employee networks to foster community and make connections
• employee-centric programs to support and empower equity-deserving groups
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment