Alberta Public Service graduate and internship opportunities

Learn about the opportunities with the Alberta Public Service for recent graduates, including internships.

Overview

The Alberta Public Service provides opportunities for recent graduates to help them develop valuable workplace skills and build a career through:

• graduate entry-level employment
• internships

Graduate opportunities

The Alberta Public Service offers graduate entry-level employment and internship opportunities that provide recent post-secondary graduates with:

• hands-on experience putting their education to work
• challenging and rewarding work
• professional development
• networking opportunities

Graduate entry-level employment

The Alberta Public Service offers temporary and permanent entry-level employment in a variety of occupations.

Each ministry and department is responsible for recruiting to their student and graduate opportunities. For more information, contact the ministry or department Human Resource offices or check out current Alberta Public Service job postings.

Internships

Internships are paid, temporary employment usually 6 months to 2 years in length and are offered in a variety of occupations. To be eligible, graduates must have completed their relevant program training within the last 2 years.

Alberta Indigenous Internship Program (AIIP)

Through AIIP, you will help build government to community-based relationships while gaining valuable work experience. This Program will help you launch your career and give you the skills to be successful in the Alberta Public Service.

To see Indigenous interns discuss their experiences in the program, see our video on the Alberta Indigenous Internship Program.

Objectives

• Increase Indigenous participation in Alberta’s economy and workforce.
• Provide tangible learning, work experience and professional development for interns.
• Facilitate cultural exchange and build relationships among government, Indigenous people and other stakeholders.

Placement details

The AIIP is a 2-year program involving various Government of Alberta ministries and a community partner that is an Indigenous organization or one which provides programs and services to Indigenous people.

Qualifications

You must be a recent graduate (within the last 2 years) from an accredited university or college.

How to apply

Applications are accepted once the positions have been advertised on the Alberta Public Service jobs website.

Contact

Fran Hyndman
Manager of the Alberta Indigenous Intern Program
Phone: 780-427-8408
Email: fran.hyndman@gov.ab.ca

Alberta Public Service Policy Internship Program

Objectives

The 2-year Alberta Public Service Policy Internship is a unique government-wide program that provides recent post-secondary graduates with the opportunity to rotate through two placements that will allow you to:

• work on public policy initiatives that impact Albertans
• prepare for a future career in public policy by further developing the competencies required of a policy professional in the Alberta Public Service
• increase your understanding of how government works and its policy development cycle
• gain valuable work experience, expand your perspective and build your professional network through learning and development opportunities such as a formal mentoring program

Placement details

• Internships are 2 years in length with 2, one-year department work placements. Throughout these placements, you will develop your knowledge and skills in public policy.
• Public policy is an area that is applicable to so many specialties and disciplines. Your interests, background and skills will be matched with department placements where possible so that you can work in the field of your choice.

Qualifications

You must be a recent graduate from a post-secondary institution (within the last 2 years) with a related degree.

Duties

• Department placements will give you experience in the various stages of policy development including:
  • environmental scanning
  • issues identification
  • research/analysis
  • options development and much more

Developmental activities

• You will participate in a variety of learning and development opportunities including:
  • an orientation session
  • knowledge and skill-building sessions
  • mentoring activities
  • networking opportunities to share experiences with other Policy Interns and policy professionals throughout government

How to apply

Applications are accepted once the positions have been advertised on the Alberta Public Service jobs website.

Watch for a job ad each January. Successful applicants start their internships in May.

Contact

Email: apspolicyinternship@gov.ab.ca

Public Service Commission
Peace Hills Trust Tower
10011 - 109 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3S8

Alberta Student Ministerial Internship Program

Objectives

Interns will have the opportunity to meet innovative leaders in the Alberta Public Service and learn first-hand how the Alberta government functions at the ministerial level.

Placement details

• Internships last 3 to 4 months, starting in May.
• Student Ministerial Interns will be placed in a Minister’s Office.
• The majority of these positions are located in Edmonton, with the possibility of one or 2 positions available in Calgary.
• Up to 15 interns will be hired annually.

Qualifications

• You must be a post-secondary student who has completed at least 2 years of a program or have graduated from a post-secondary program within the last year.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated an interest in government or political processes through related work, co-op or volunteer experience.
• You must also submit a 500-word Statement of Interest responding to the following questions:
  • Why do you want to participate in the Alberta Student Ministerial Internship Program?
  • Why are you a suitable candidate?
  • How do you envision participating in this internship will impact your career?

Duties

• You'll have an up-close look at how the ministerial level of government operates by working closely with staff to support the minister in his/her daily activities.
• You’ll learn how public policy is developed and how it supports government’s long-term vision.
• You’ll develop your interpersonal, research and verbal and written communications skills by:
  • assisting with briefing and scheduling
  • responding to telephone enquiries
  • processing action requests
  • attending events and working on special projects
• You’ll learn about the many aspects of government through meetings and seminars.

Developmental activities

You will gain valuable experience and an understanding of public policy development activities through a combination of:

• on-the-job training
• weekly learning opportunities, including:
  • seminars
  • meetings
  • special events providing exposure to the Alberta Public Service’s most senior levels
• interacting with staff from many different areas of government

How to apply

• The employment opportunity for the Alberta Student Ministerial Internship Program is usually posted in March on the Alberta Public Service jobs website under the Seasonal category and at universities in Alberta.
• The closing date for applications is usually sometime in March.
• Selected applicants will be asked to participate in an interview.
• Successful candidates are usually selected in April or early May, and their internships commence in mid/late May.

Contact

Sheri Cameron
Manager, Human Resource Programs
Phone: 780-643-6396
Email: sheri.cameron@gov.ab.ca

Executive Council
7th Floor, 9820 107 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 1E7

Disabilities Internship Program

The Disabilities Internship Program offers a paid work experience to recent graduates interested in joining the Alberta Public Service.

Contact

You can ask a question or send a message about jobs with the Alberta Public Service using the form below.

If you have already applied on a job posting and have questions about your application, you can contact the ministry or department Human Resources office referenced in the job posting.