Indigenous Internship ProgramThe 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 InformationThe 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?
Are you an experienced laboratory professional interested in assessing the effects of contaminants in environmental samples on aquatic organisms?
Join our team which is dedicated to providing scientific solutions to environmental challenges.
NOTE: Job requires working weekends on a rotating basis (26 weekends/year). Schedule to be determined.
You will have opportunities to learn from and work with experienced aquatic toxicologists and environmental microbiologists. and gain experience in areas such as sample handling and processing of environmental samples and fish tissue, analytical testing of environmental samples following approved standard operating protocols, laboratory information management, good laboratory practices and general laboratory duties.
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.
• The position requires the successful candidates to have a valid class G driver's licence or equivalent. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's licence upon being hired.
Environmental Testing Knowledge and Experience:
• You have knowledge of the science, theories, principles and practices of aquatic biology (e.g. toxicity testing and aquaculture) as it applies to environmental testing
• You have knowledge of systems for maintaining appropriate environmental conditions for maintaining healthy organisms in cultures and for testing
• You have the knowledge of the techniques and practices of humane test culture maintenance to ensure healthy test specimens
• You have knowledge of the techniques for the collection and preparation of water and sediment samples for biological testing to provide advice to clients or to take samples.
• You can handle live aquatic organisms following all requirements under the Animal Care regulations
• You can work with fish tissues, cutting and fileting for testing
• You have practical experience in an environmental lab culturing and performing aquatic toxicity testing and bioaccumulation studies using aquatic organisms such as Rainbow trout, Fathead minnows, Lumbriculus, Hexagenia spp., Hyalella azteca, Chironomus dilutus and Daphnia magna.
Environmental Legislation and Guidelines:
• You know relevant occupational health and safety legislation (e.g. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS))
• You have knowledge of effluent toxicity limits and water quality objectives under provincial and federal regulations and guidelines
• You have knowledge of Ontario and Canadian water discharge regulations and associated toxicity testing requirements to perform tests correctly
• You have knowledge of laboratory quality assurance practices and ISO 17025 standards
Project Management, Analytical and Research Skills:
• You have experience managing multiple, technical projects and scientific studies
• You have analytical and investigative skills to summarize test findings and provide conclusions and recommendations or best professional judgment, (e.g. recommending follow-up actions to management on standard method requirements)
• You have diagnostic and problem solving skills to detect and react to a problem
• You have knowledge and experience with the operation and maintenance of basic analytical instrumentation to measure chlorine (amperometric titration) and ammonia content (specific ion meter) as well as pH (pH meter) and conductivity (conductivity meter) of water samples to ensure quality results and basic laboratory equipment such as balances, microscopes and pipettes.
Computer and Communication Skills:
• You can communicate in a clear and concise manner
• You can draft a variety of written materials and have experience preparing scientific reports and papers for publication
• You work well with others – you contribute to a team environment and share duties in a collaborative manner
• You have knowledge of databases such as Laboratory Information Management System,, mathematical and statistical tools, word processing, data management and assessment to evaluate and summarize test results.
