Indigenous Internship Program – Environmental Science and Standards Intern

Indigenous Internship Program

The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) is a 12-month paid internship program designed to provide recent Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) post-secondary graduates, with the opportunity to gain professional level work experience and a pathway through which they can build and develop transferable skills that can be used to gain sustained employment in their field of choice.

You must self-identify as an Indigenous person to be eligible for this program. The term Indigenous refers to individuals who identify as being descended from the original inhabitants (the first peoples) of what is now known as Canada. In this context, Indigenous people are First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit.

Personal Information

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful, and equitable workplace. To enable this commitment and advance broader organizational objectives, this dedicated internship has been created for eligible applicants who self-identify as an Indigenous person. As part of the application process, all applicants must respond to a self-attestation. Applicants who do not self-identify as Indigenous or who choose not to identify will not be eligible.

What makes working in the Ontario Public Service great

Working in the public service has real meaning and impact on the lives of Ontarians. What we do matters, and you can grow your career here. From economic growth to health and social justice, we offer career opportunities in multiple disciplines and business areas to match your passion. Our strength is the diversity of our people and the ideas we generate. We value trust, fairness, diversity, creativity, collaboration and excellence. We are committed to be an employer of first choice.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

This exciting opportunity offers a recent Indigenous post-secondary graduate the opportunity to develop their career and gain valuable work experience with one of Canada's top employers. Bring your knowledge, experience and perspectives to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Working with a team of engaged professionals and dedicated leaders, you'll take the next step in your career in a dynamic environment that provides opportunities for personal growth, competitive salary, mentorship, and learning and development opportunities.

We are looking for a dynamic individual with strong scientific skills to join our team, to assist in the development of environmental benchmarks and assessments to inform Ministry programs and policies. The successful candidate will have the support of a professional and welcoming team of scientific experts, and a hands-on manager to ensure your success and development.

This competition will be used to fill one (1) Environmental Science and Standards Intern position in the Ministry's Environmental Sciences and Standards Division (office location: 40 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto. Flexible in-office work locations elsewhere in Ontario may be available.)

As an Intern in the Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch, you will work with expert scientists who set environmental benchmarks to protect air, water, soil, and other facets of the environment.

Depending on your interests and skills, this can include supporting the scientific review of chemical toxicities to determine safe levels of chemicals in the environment, assess and interpret health risks from people's exposures to chemicals, and inform ministry programs and policies based on the latest science. You may also support programs aimed at protecting Ontario's water quality, for the people who rely on clean, treated water for drinking, and for the aquatic life that live in our lakes, rivers and streams.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• You must have graduated or will complete the requirements to graduate with a degree, diploma or post-graduate certificate from a recognized or legally authorized post-secondary institution in the last five years (May 2018-June 2023).
• You must self-identify as an Indigenous person. The term Indigenous refers to individuals who identify as being descended from the original inhabitants (the first peoples) of what is now known as Canada. In this context, Indigenous people are First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit.
• You must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Scientific Knowledge:

• You have knowledge of scientific principles
• You have an understanding of chemistry, toxicology, physiology, environmental risk assessment, or a related field
• You are familiar with environmental contaminant concerns related to human health or ecosystem impacts.

Analytical and research skills:

• You can gather and analyze information to support the development of recommendations and resolutions to issues.
• You can interpret and apply legislation, policies, processes and procedures.
• You can provide research support to projects and branch initiatives.

Communication skills:

• You can prepare and present various documents, including presentations, reports, summaries.
• You can clearly and concisely communicate information and recommendations.

Interpersonal and teamwork skills:

• You can establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, First Nations and Métis at varying levels to seek and exchange information.
• You can participate and contribute to working groups.

Planning and organizational skills:

• You are able to plan, organize, and manage multiple tasks and projects with competing deadlines.

Computer proficiency:

• You are proficient using common office productivity software (i.e. word processing, spreadsheets, presentations) to draft documents and reports, prepare presentations, conduct analysis, and perform research on the internet.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 21, 2023 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.