Indigenous Internship Program – Junior Water Inspector 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. Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to help protect Ontario's valuable drinking water resources and safeguard the environment? If so, come join us and support the delivery of safe drinking water and wastewater management programs.

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?

• Assist in comprehensive inspections of drinking water systems and wastewater systems
• Assess compliance with environmental legislation and policies
• Assist in responding to adverse water incidents and incidents of pollution or complaints
• Assist in collecting samples and required data; interpret results, document findings and actions
• Assist in implementing inspection and abatement programs

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.
• You must be able to travel within the region occasionally to conduct field assignments from time-to-time.

Environmental and Technical Knowledge:

• You have the ability to apply knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes and infrastructure, and pollution controls
• You can apply sample collection techniques in the field and test a variety of media
• You can interpret and apply environmental legislation (e.g. Environmental Protection Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Pesticides Act, Ontario Water Resources Act), and related policies and guidelines
• You can conduct inspections and audits to assess compliance
• You can apply a range of compliance tools and approaches to influence behavior in the regulated community

Analytical and Problem Solving Skills:

• You are able to analyze and assess technical and scientific information
• You can identify cause and sources of pollution problems and suggest corrective action
• You can review ministry guidelines and policies to evaluate adherence to Ministry policy, regulations, objectives

Communication and Computer Skills:

• You can communicate technical information in a clear manner
• You have good writing skills to produce clear, concise, and grammatically correct documents
• You can deal with the public and work with diverse client groups in an effective and polite manner
• You know how to use microcomputer systems and software packages (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, email)

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

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.