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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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Municipal Internship Program

Important dates

Applications for the 2025 Municipal Internship Program will be available in January 2025. 

The application period is open from January 6 to noon (MT) February 18, 2025.

Eligibility

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

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.

Land use planner stream – Accepts graduates from a land use degree planning program or a planning-related degree. Candidates with a related degree require a minimum of 2 senior-level (3rd or 4th year or graduate level) classes on planning law, planning theory, urban or regional planning, urban design, transportation planning, or environmental planning.

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 the requirements such as courses, research or thesis projects, co-op or work placement requirements, not your convocation date.

    3. Completing my degree or diploma program after May 1, 2025.

    If you still have outstanding courses, research or thesis projects, co-op or work placements to complete on or after May 1, 2025, before you meet all of the requirements to complete your degree or diploma, you are not eligible to apply for the 2025 program.

  • 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 in addition to the certificate between January 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025, then you will be eligible to apply on the basis of that degree or diploma.

    2. Completed or will complete a professional designation (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 will be eligible to apply on the basis of that degree or diploma.

    3. Completed my degree or diploma outside of Canada.

    You can still apply but your degree or diploma may need to be reviewed by International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) to assess and compare educational credentials to educational standards in Canada. The IQAS assessment should be submitted as part of your application.

    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.

    The Municipal Internship Program is based on the most recently completed degree or diploma and not the degree or diploma currently underway.

    6. Need to finish a research paper or project, thesis or other academic project to complete degree or diploma after May 1, 2025.

    You are not eligible if you still need to complete outstanding research/thesis projects, co-op, or work placement on or after May 1, 2025.

  • Current employment with a municipality

    1. Currently work for a municipality in a permanent, full-time or part-time position.

    You are not eligible to apply.

    2. Currently work for a municipality in a temporary, casual or seasonal position.

    You are not eligible to apply to that municipality if they are hosting an intern. You are eligible to apply for intern positions located in other host municipalities.

  • Availability to work

    1. Unable or unwilling to relocate to the host municipality or to a community within commuting distance of the municipal office.

    Each host organization will have its own policy on work arrangements (for example: in-person at office or work from home), which candidates can discuss should they be selected for an interview.

    2. Cannot start employment between April 22 and June 3, 2025.

    Candidates who wish to participate in the 2025 Municipal Internship Program must be able to commence employment between April 22 and June 3, 2025. If you are unable to commence employment during this time period, you are encouraged to apply in a subsequent year (if eligible).

Attributes of successful candidates

  • Prepared to relocate to the host municipality or a community within commuting distance of the host organization’s office.
  • 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 6, 2025, to noon (MT) February 18, 2025.  Check back here in January for the application.

In 2025, there are 4 components required:

  • cover letter
  • resume
  • candidate profile
  • transcript

Component details

  • 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 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 locations.

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

  • Resume

    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.

  • 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. 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.

    Your profile can be written in any format you choose (for example: essay, bullets, mini portfolio). Be creative. Candidate profiles must be one to 2 pages, any additional pages will not be sent to the host organizations.

  • Transcript

    • 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 or 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 your most recently completed diploma or degree program.
    • 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.

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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