Amended - Indigenous Internship Program - Policy Intern

Amendment: Application deadline extended.

Why join the Indigenous Internship Program (IIP)

This is an opportunity to be part of a positive, supportive, and collaborative culture where, together, we will build reciprocal relationships and pathways for Indigenous people to thrive in the OPS. Bring your lived experiences as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit and help us achieve our commitment towards establishing fairness, accessibility, and equity in the OPS. We are looking for individuals dedicated to equity and a strong understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures. Through working in the OPS over your 12-month contract, you will have the opportunity to effect real change that will have an impact on thousands of OPS employees and pave the way for Indigenous reconciliation within the organization.

We offer a competitive total compensation package, which includes an attractive salary, defined benefit pension plan, comprehensive health and dental plan and much more!

For more information about the Indigenous Internship Program, please visit theIndigenous Internship Program webpage.

Please note:The headquarters for these positions will vary, based on the ministry, and are specified in the job ads below; however, alternate work arrangements may be available.

To learn more about the ministries recruiting for this position, access the following link:Ministries | ontario.ca.

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.

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?

Research, Analysis and Program Support
• Conducts research and data collection from internal/external sources (e.g., legislation, regulations, policies and programs in other ministries or jurisdictions, scans, surveys, etc.) for specific assignments in support of policy and program development.
• Gains knowledge of the government decision-making, approvals and policy development processes towards achieving government key priorities.
• Conducts studies and environmental scans to keep apprised of issues/developments with potential impact on the branch/division/ministry.
• Analyzes and evaluates policy/program information and data, conducts impact assessments, and identifies issues, trends and key linkages.

Special Projects
• Participates in policy and planning development projects in support of government priorities (e.g., program delivery standards in education/health/social service delivery; environment and natural resources protection; provincial and international economic growth; public infrastructure development in partnership with Ontario's communities; alternative approaches to Ontario's criminal justice system).
• Contributes to working groups and task forces.

Stakeholder Consultation and Liaison
• Consults with policy staff on assignment requirements and approaches, assesses stakeholder impact, and assists with communication and policy implementation plans.
• Liaises with other branches/ministries to retrieve information and responds to inquiries from other ministries or levels of government.
• Consults with stakeholders to obtain input/feedback on policy/program initiatives. Identifies and tracks/monitors issues, including stakeholder concerns, and prepares summaries of findings for senior staff.

Materials Preparation
• Assists with the preparation of a range of materials and draft analyses for senior policy staff, and contributes to policy/program reports, options papers, House Book notes, contentious issues reports, correspondence and briefing materials for use by management. Drafts materials to support proposed policies and initiatives.
• Prepares presentations, visual representations, and background materials to communicate policy/program changes.
• Provide research findings and policy options to support decision-making.

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 2019-August 2024).
• 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 a resident of Ontario during the term of employment.

Research and Analytical 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 policy development 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.

Collection of Information

The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) is designed to support Ontario's commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across the province. Information collected for the IIP application will contribute to efforts in building a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible OPS and to provide you with an opportunity to complete an anonymous data survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and for analysis to identify any systemic barriers.

The personal information collected in this application is also necessary for the proper administration of the IIP and will be used for the purpose of validating your eligibility for the program. This competition, and the results from this competition, may also be used in identifiable format by designated representatives in the OPS for consideration of other opportunities in the OPS.

Personal information will be shared in an identifiable format with the OPS Indigenous Equity Branch exclusively for the purposes of tracking the enterprise-wide hiring and retention of Indigenous persons and assessing recruitment and retention priorities for Indigenous staff in the OPS. Information will be retained by the Internships Unit, Treasury Board Secretariat and will be protected in accordance with the principles of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

If you have any questions about the collection and management of your personal information, you may contact the Internships Unit, Treasury Board Secretariat at:contact.oip@ontario.ca

Consent
By completing this attestation, you are consenting to the OPS collecting and using your personal information as indicated in this Notice of Collection and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. You agree that you are 16 years of age or over, have read and understand this Notice and Consent, and any information you provide will be true and accurate.

Privacy Statement
The OPS is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information in accordance with the principles of FIPPA. For more information, please read our  Privacy statement | Ontario.ca.

Other Summer Opportunities

We offer a variety of summer jobs in diverse career fields. See what summer opportunities are currently available!

Also, check out all the other student and new professional opportunities offered within the Ontario Public Service.

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 Tuesday, March 26, 2024 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.