Municipal Internship Program – Overview

This stream of the program offers interns a wide range of experiences in municipal policy, management and operations over an 18-month period. The goal is to gain knowledge and understanding of multiple areas of municipal administration that can be built upon as the intern’s career progresses beyond the internship.

Interns in the Administrator stream will rotate through the departments in their host municipality, learning key aspects of the work carried out in each area and how work supports the municipality overall.

Responsibilities and activities in this role include, but are not limited to:

• participate in management team and stakeholder meetings
• develop request for decision packages and presenting to council and/or committees
• develop and review bylaws and policies
• conduct research on issues and topics in support of bylaws, policies, and other projects
• support the municipality’s communication with the community and stakeholders
• lead and manage projects
• support public engagement initiatives
• participate in job shadowing activities

This stream of the program offers participants hands-on, intensive learning in municipal finance and accounting, along with professional development opportunities and a general understanding of municipal government. The goal is to provide a strong foundation in municipal finance while also providing exposure to key departments within the municipality during an 18-month period.

Finance officer interns work primarily in the finance department, with the goal of learning key aspects of the finance department and how finance interacts with the rest of the municipality.  Interns will also have the opportunity to experience other areas of the municipality to understand the financial priorities and requirements of these departments.

Responsibilities and activities in this role include, but are not limited to:

• prepare budget forecast and participate in discussions with council and management
• prepare payroll
• process accounts payable and accounts receivable
• produce financial reports
• prepare financial records for audit and for borrowing
• lead or support implementation of asset management systems and practices
• support procurement initiatives

Graduates looking to obtain their Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation are welcome to apply. Host municipalities can offer experience verification placements and financial support for education modules to help interns achieve their CPA designation.

This stream of the program offers participants with a specific interest in land use planning the opportunity to gain a variety of planning experiences over an 18-month period. The goal is to provide a strong foundation in both current and long-range planning. Interns in this stream will focus on building skills and knowledge in planning and development.

Land use planner interns work primarily in the planning department, with the goal of learning key aspects of the planning and development functions and how planning interacts with the rest of the municipality. Planning interns have the opportunity to gain experience through involvement in a variety of planning projects in their host organization.

Interns in this stream focus on developing competency as a land use planner, becoming familiar with other key departments and functional areas in the municipality, participating in a wide variety of tasks and projects, and exploring potential areas of specialization in the planning field.

Responsibilities and activities in this role can include, but are not limited to:

• review and amend the municipality's land use bylaw
• review existing or develop new statutory plans including, municipal development plans and area structure plans
• review development and/or subdivision applications
• plan and conduct community consultations or engagements for development proposals
• participate in subdivision and development appeal board hearings
• enforce stop orders and other compliance mechanisms

Interns in this stream may pursue their Registered Professional Planner designation during their internship. Host organizations may be required to offer work and responsibilities to meet the logbook requirements for the Professional Standards Boards for the Planning Profession in Canada.