Indigenous Internship Program

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 the Indigenous 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.

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?General Laboratory Testing, Culturing and Related Activities:
• carrying out routine and complex aquatic toxicity tests on effluent and sediment samples using invertebrates and fish according to standardized testing and quality management procedures;
• detecting, diagnosing and intervening when test system, organism response or other factors do not meet acceptability criteria and referring non-conformances to group leader or manager;
• evaluating culture organism supply versus demand and making recommendations for the adjustments to activities to meet testing needs;
• receiving, cataloguing, preparing and storing effluent samples submitted for toxicity testing according to documented procedures that maintain sample integrity and chain of custody;
• preparing and submitting samples for chemical analysis;
• monitoring environmental systems and equipment for proper operation and maintaining documented records of use and condition;
• assisting in the development of new or improved test methods;
• maintaining adequate stocks of laboratory supplies and ensuring that chemicals, equipment and instruments in the work area are kept clean and organized;
• assisting with the training and technical coordination of contract and student technologists;
• ensuring safety of self and others by strictly adhering to applicable safety policies and practices, including regularly updating WHMIS training and referring all health and safety matters to the section manager; -cooperating with fellow staff in shared activities (e.g. laboratory housekeeping to maintain a safe and tidy workplace).

Data Management, Interpretation and Reporting:
• reviewing results of aquatic toxicity tests and performing data analysis
• summarizing test findings and providing conclustions and recommendations to group leader;
• tabulating and summarizing data from testing, culturing or other activities through the use of computer spreadsheet, presentation and work processing programs;
• designing and preparing forms and spreadsheets for recording data;
• assisting with update and maintenance of the laboratory test result database;
• preparing, updating and/or reviewing standard operating procedures;
• supporting data management by cataloguing and filling toxicity test reports and supporting documentation; -providing verbal and written technical and scientific information to Ministry staff and/or customers including test results and interpretations.

Quality Management:
• carrying out quality control checks of bench sheets before submission for data analysis;
• updating or checking spreadsheets used for tabulation of water quality and reference toxicant test data;
• adhering to the policies and procedures for maintaining the quality system as documented in the quality manual;
• assisting with performance of routine quality control checks by use of checklists;

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.
• 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.

Knowledge:• You have knowledge of the theories (including the applicable principles of biology and chemistry), technologies and practices of aquatic toxicity testing to perform the tests used in the laboratory, and, under scientific guidance, assist in the development, adoption or adaption of new methods for use.
• You have knowledge of systems for the treatment and delivery of water as well as systems for maintaining appropriate environmental conditions for testing and culturing to maintain healthy test species.
• You have knowledge of the techniques and practices of humane test culture maintenance to ensure healthy test specimens.
• You have knowledge of databases, mathematical and statistical tools, word processing, data management and assessment to evaluate and summarize test results.
• You have the knowledge of the operation and maintenance of basic analytical instrumentation.
• You have knowledge of established quality control and assurance procedures to interpret data against predefined criteria.
• You have knowledge of Ontario and Canadian water discharge regulations and associated toxicity testing requirements to perform tests correctly.
• 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.

Skills:• You obtain planning and time management skills to accommodate multiple assigned tasks and delivery of information to tight and sometimes competing deadlines.
• You have technical skills to perform laboratory tasks safely and in accordance with good laboratory practices.
• You obtain analytical and investigative skills to summarize test findings and provide conclusions and recommendations, (e.g. recommending follow-up actions to management on standard method requirements or best professional judgement).
• You have problem solving skills to detect and react to a problem.
• You obtain verbal communication skills to present and describe test results to other colleagues and clients.
• You have written communication skills to document test conditions and results, contribute to the review and editing of methodologies according to standard policies and procedures, as well as contribute to reports, publications and presentations.

Collection of InformationThe 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 OpportunitiesWe 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.

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