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Part of Municipal Internship Program

Municipal Internship Program – Apply to be an intern

Determine eligibility, learn about application requirements, and how to submit your application.

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Apply to be an intern

Important dates

Applications for the 2025 Municipal Internship Program are now open.

The application period is from January 13 to February 18 at 12 noon (MST).

Eligibility

The intention of the program is to provide an opportunity for recent post-secondary graduates to enter employment in municipal government for the first time.

To be eligible to apply to the 2025 Municipal Internship Program you must:

  • have finished or will finish a post-secondary degree or diploma between January 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025
  • be legally eligible to work in Canada
  • not be employed as a permanent staff member of an Alberta municipality

Administrator stream – Accepts graduates from any discipline. Interns in this stream will gain experience in areas such as policy development, legislative services, community development, economic development, and communications.

Finance officer stream – Accepts graduates with a diploma in accounting or finance, a degree with either a major in accounting or finance, or a business-related degree with a minor in accounting. Candidates with a finance or business-related degree require 2 senior-level (third year, fourth year, or graduate level) accounting courses.

Land use planner stream – Accepts graduates from an accredited Canadian land use planning degree program or a land use degree planning program. Candidates with a planning-related degree require a minimum of 2 senior-level (third year, fourth year, or graduate level) classes in either planning law, planning theory, urban or regional planning, urban design, GIS, transportation planning, and/or environmental planning. Other foundational land use planning courses may be considered.

Eligibility scenarios

See below scenarios to confirm eligibility:

  • Completion date of post-secondary studies

    1. Completed most recent degree or diploma before January 1, 2023

    You are not eligible to apply. The Municipal Internship Program is designed for new and recent post-secondary graduates to gain experience and training in municipal government.

    2. Completed or will complete a degree or diploma program between January 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025.

    You are eligible to apply. The completion date is the date when you have finished all of your exams and coursework, not your convocation date.

    3. Completing my degree or diploma program after April 30, 2025.

    You are not eligible to apply if you still have outstanding exams and coursework to complete on or after April 30, 2025.

  • Type of studies completed

    1. Completed or will complete a certificate program between January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2025.

    You are not eligible to apply. If you completed a degree or diploma between January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2025, in addition to the certificate, then you are eligible to apply.

    2. Completed or will complete a professional designation (for example, Chartered Professional Accountant or CPA) between January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2025.

    You are not eligible to apply. If you completed a degree or diploma in addition to the professional designation between January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2025, then you are eligible to apply.

    3. Completed a degree or diploma outside of Canada.

    You are eligible to apply. We recommend that your degree or diploma be reviewed by International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) to assess and compare educational credentials to educational standards in Canada.

    4. Need to complete a co-op term or internship to meet the requirements of my degree or diploma program.

    You are not eligible to apply for the 2025 program using the merit of that degree or diploma.

    5. Currently working on a second or third degree or diploma.

    You are eligible to apply. Eligibility is based on the most recently completed degree or diploma and not the degree or diploma currently underway. Just know that the 18-month internship is full-time employment.

    6. Need to finish a research paper or project, thesis or other academic project to complete degree or diploma after April 30, 2025.

    You are not eligible to apply if you still need to complete outstanding research/thesis projects, co-op, or work placement on or after April 30, 2025.

  • Employment with a municipality

    1. As of April 28, 2025, employed with an Albertan municipality in a permanent (that is, without a defined end date) position.

    You are not eligible to apply.

    2. As of April 28, 2025, employed with an Alberta municipality in a temporary (that is, summer, co-op or contract) or casual (that is, work on irregular or call-in basis) position.

    You are eligible to apply for intern positions located in other host municipalities.

    3. As of April 28, 2025, no longer employed with an Alberta municipality in a temporary (that is, summer, co-op or contract) or casual (that is, work on irregular or call-in basis) position.

    You are eligible to apply.

  • Availability to work

    1. Unable or unwilling to live in or commute to the host municipality.

    You are not eligible to apply. Although each host organization has its own policy on work arrangements, municipalities expect candidates to live in or commute to the host municipality.

    2. Cannot start employment between April 28 and May 30, 2025.

    You are not eligible to apply. Candidates who wish to participate in the 2025 Municipal Internship Program must be able to start work between April 28 and May 30, 2025.

    If you are unable to commence employment during this period, you may apply in a subsequent year (if eligible).

Attributes of successful candidates

  • Prepared to live in or commute to the host municipality.
  • Strong interest in pursuing a career in municipal administration, municipal finance or accounting, or land use planning.
  • Passion for people and public service that impacts communities and people’s lives.
  • Ability to work in a dynamic work environment where experiences and opportunities vary from day to day.
  • Experience working with the public or involvement with community organizations.
  • Interest in developing and implementing programs and policies, or leading and supporting projects.
  • Motivated, self-directed learner who will take initiative.
  • Strong research, writing, presentation and communication skills.

How to apply

The 2025 application period is open from January 13, and closes at 12 noon (Mountain Standard Time) on February 18.

In 2025, there are 4 documents that are required:

  • cover letter
  • resume
  • candidate profile
  • transcript

All 4 documents are mandatory to submit your application.

Additional documents, such as reference letters, are not required. You may share these documents during an interview if you are selected.

Document details

  • Documents are accepted in PDF format only.
  • All pages should be formatted to letter size (8.5" x 11") pages. Oversized pages may be cropped or rejected.
  • Electronic documents should not be password-protected and be free of macros or other scripts.

  • Cover letter

    Address your cover letter to "Dear Hiring Manager”. Your cover letter will be sent with your other application documents to each of the host organizations you select on the application form.

    Do not customize your letter to specific host locations.

    No address information is required as your application will be sent electronically to the host organizations.

  • Resume

    The resume is a maximum of 2 pages.

    Ensure your resume contains your phone number and email address.

    Ensure your resume clearly states the title of your degree/diploma and when you completed (or will complete) your post-secondary program (month and year).

    It is your program completion date and all course requirements, not graduation or convocation date, which determines your eligibility for the program.

    See the Eligibility section for detailed information.

    Do not include your photo, social insurance number, other government-issued, or tax identification numbers.

  • Candidate profile

    The candidate profile is your opportunity to demonstrate why you would like to participate in this program and why you believe you should be selected as an intern. Your candidate profile allows you to add more than you could in just your cover letter.

    The candidate profile is a maximum of 2 pages. Any additional pages will not be sent to the host organizations.

    Put the title “Candidate Profile” at the top of the document.

    In your profile you can share, but are not limited to, the following:

    • Why you are applying to the Internship Program.
    • How your education is applicable to working in the public service at the municipal level.
    • How the work of municipal government aligns with your values, motivations, and interests.
    • What you are hoping to get out the Internship Program experience.
    • Remember to be creative with your profile.

    Acceptable document formats

    The candidate profile can be written in any format you choose, including  essay, bullets, mini portfolio, etc.

    Acceptable file formats

    • PDF

  • Transcript

    • Transcripts must be in English.
    • The transcript must have the watermark of your post-secondary institution.
    • The transcript must be unlocked. 
    • Both official and unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Only one version needs to be submitted (your choice).
    • Transcripts are used to verify completion of your diploma/degree no earlier than January 1, 2023, and by April 30, 2025 (the 2-year period of eligibility for the May 2025 program).
    • If you have attended more than one post-secondary institution, submit the transcript of the completed diploma or degree program that falls within the eligibility period of January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2025.
    • If you are currently completing your diploma or degree program, submit the unofficial transcript that includes information up to the academic term ending in December 2024.

Complete the 2025 internship application form

Host municipality locations

The list of host municipality organizations and a profile is available below. You can also look up the locations using our map.

View map of host locations

Administrator host profiles

Finance officer host profiles

Land use planner host profiles

Internship program video

Contact

Connect with the Municipal Internship Program:

Phone: 780-427-2225 and ask for a Training and Internship Advisor
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

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