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 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 greatWorking 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?
MECP's Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch (EMRB) is responsible for the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of environmental data related to Ontario's groundwater, lakes and rivers. EMRB requires three (3) motivated, technically oriented persons with a strong attention to detail to work with a diverse team of scientists and technical experts. The intern will assist with the preparation and coordination of resources and equipment for field programs, collection of samples and environmental field data, submission of samples for laboratory analysis, data entry and analysis and preparation of reports and communication materials. The intern will also complete mandatory training to ensure all work is carried out in accordance with health and safety requirements and ministry protocols and procedures. Depending on the position, the field work may include working from boats and/or shore-based conducting water quality related field studies throughout Ontario.
Placements are required for the 1. Great Lakes Monitoring Unit, 2. Biomonitoring (Fish) Unit and 3. Groundwater & Stream Water Monitoring Unit. Please see the descriptions below for further details of each placement:
Great Lakes Monitoring Unit:The Great Lakes Monitoring Unit is responsible for province-wide environmental monitoring of Ontario's Great Lakes and associated rivers to track the state-of-the-environment, as well as undertaking issue and area-specific monitoring. The Great Lakes Monitoring Unit intern will assist with the implementation of its field programs as well as supporting its scientists when field programs are not actively underway. This will include working with the boat crew conducting field studies throughout the Great Lakes, assisting with the stream monitoring work in the Greater Toronto Area, entering data into ministry databases, analyzing data and assisting scientists with the preparation of reports, papers and presentations. Experience operating trucks/heavy equipment and using tools/power tools are considered assets.
Assignment/responsibilities of the Great Lakes Monitoring Unit position will include, but are not limited to:
• Assisting with field study preparation
• Collecting water, sediment and biota samples by survey vessel and from shore using various type of sampling equipment
• Travelling extensively to other work locations in Ontario and working safely in remote locations and settings in order to assist with field monitoring efforts conducted from boats.
• Collecting water quality measurements using a variety of sensors
• Assisting with the setup, calibration, installation and maintenance of a variety of field equipment
• Data management and analysis and preparation of information for reports and presentations
Biomonitoring (Fish) Unit:The Biomonitoring and Inland Waters Section delivers environmental programs that help to inform and support Indigenous communities, including pollution assessments as in the English-Wabigoon Rivers, and on the safe consumption of wild-caught fish. For this position, skills in the safe operation of boats, inboard and outboard motors and vehicles, and the ability to work from boats are considered assets.
Assignments/projects the intern will support include:
• Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program to monitor toxic contaminant levels in fish across the province, track long-term trends, assess place-based pollutant issues, and evaluate the success of remedial measures
• Publication of the Guide to Eating Ontario Fish to inform the public on safe consumption of fish
• Province-wide monitoring of water quality and biological communities in lakes and streams to characterize and track environmental health and investigate stressors that threaten inland waters
• Lake Simcoe Monitoring Program to assess current and long-term health of Lake Simcoe water quality and biological communities to fulfill policies under the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan
Groundwater & Stream Water Monitoring Unit:The Groundwater and Stream Water Monitoring Unit operates province-wide, long-term monitoring programs, conducts special studies at local and regional scale. The satellite technology is used to transfer real time data into programs' associated information system. Data is transformed and analyzed into usable information to identify patterns and trends and deliver technical and scientific expertise to address environmental issues.
Assignments/projects the intern will support include:
• Providing support to stream water and groundwater monitoring field crew(s) and scientists.
• Assisting with the coordination and collection of water quality and multi-media samples associated with studies in streams, rivers, and groundwater including field studies to collect monitoring data to address data gaps, provide scientific assessments.
• Assisting in organizing, scheduling and coordinating resources and equipment needs for site specific surveys and with the purchasing of new and/or replacement equipment, and overseeing repairs as needed.
• Performing technical activities such as gathering, assembling, calibrating, trouble-shooting and repairing field equipment including wireless data transmission equipment.
• Supporting field crew during field surveys; preparing sample bottles and submissions and trouble-shooting equipment problems or malfunctions.
• Delivering and submitting high-priority samples to the Ministry's laboratory.
• Entry of data to ministry databases.
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 within the last five years of 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 positions require 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.
Specialized Knowledge:
• Knowledge of aquatic biology and aquatic chemistry, and methods to evaluate the significance and implications of contaminants in the aquatic system, specialized water, sediment and biota sampling methodologies.
• Knowledge of the application and use of related equipment, to interpret and apply technical formulae, to read schematics and determine best testing method and/or develop new, improved and customized technologies or techniques for specific lake or river conditions.
• Knowledge of sampling methods to assess water quality
• Technical skills to establish sampling goals and objectives, prepare sampling protocols, utilize field equipment and collect environmental samples such as water, sediment, benthic invertebrates, fish, etc. from streams, rivers and lakes.
Research and analytical skills:
• You have analytical reasoning and evaluation skills to select appropriate sampling techniques, taking into consideration unique environmental considerations of each lake or river system.
• You can evaluate options and identify alternative approaches.
• Knowledge of database management, statistical methods, data quality assurance/quality control measures and analyses of data.
Communication skills:
• You can prepare reports on findings and present various documents (i.e., presentations, reports, summaries).
• You have sufficient oral and written communication skills to discuss technical information and ideas.
Interpersonal and teamwork skills:
• You have interpersonal skills to facilitate cooperation and teamwork with the field crew.
Planning and organizational skills:
• You can plan, organize, and manage multiple tasks and projects with competing deadlines.
Computer Proficiency:
• You are proficient using common office software (i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, presentations)
• You have computer skills to access and manipulate data, to prepare charts and tables, to prepare written materials and presentations, and to communicate using email and the internet.
Other:
• First Aid/CPR training is an asset
