Here is a checklist of the documents you need to apply for the
Municipal Internship Program for Land Use Planners:

  Cover Letter 
  Resume 
  Position Profile 
  Transcripts 
  Host Preferences List
  Reference Letters (3)

Applications should be sent by mail, courier, or email to : 

Melanie Wood
Municipal Internship Program for Land Use Planners
Alberta Municipal Affairs
17th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 4L4

Email: Melanie.Wood@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll Free in Alberta: 310-0000 [and dial 780-427-2225]

The following is a list of steps you can expect to go through as part of the intern application process.

1)      SUBMIT APPLICATION

Ensure that you have all six pieces of your application submitted by January 29, 2009.  Click here for more information on the intern application package.

2)      SHORTLIST EMAIL

You will be notified by email shortly after the intern application deadline if your application has been shortlisted.  If your application is shortlisted, then your application will be sent to the hosts you selected.

3)      INTERVIEWS

After the shortlisted applications have been forwarded, the hosts will be conducting their own interviews.  Each organization will review the qualifications of each candidate and will contact the candidates they are interested in to set up interviews.  Depending on the availability of the interview panel at each organization, you may be contacted anywhere from one to four weeks after the hosts receive their application binder.

With eight hosts participating this year, there is the possibility that you may have an interview at more than one location.  Although each host is aware that candidates may have more than one interview, keep in mind that they are looking to find the best candidate for their organization – just like a regular job competition.  Hosts will do their best to accommodate your schedule, but this may not always be possible.  Therefore, in order to make the interview process run smoothly for both the hosts and intern candidates, please only accept interviews at locations you know you would be willing to move to, if offered the job.

During your interview(s), start dates will probably be discussed.  Most organizations will want you to start on or near May 1^st, though a start date a few weeks earlier or later is possible.  The first ministry training session, called Intern Orientation, where you will become oriented to the program and meet the other interns participating, will be held in early June.  It is ideal for you to start your internship at least a week or two prior to Intern Orientation.  If, due to extenuating circumstances, a start date in May is not possible for you, you will need to discuss this during your interview(s) and organizations may or may not be able to accommodate a later start date.

For more information on interview tips and etiquette, there are several websites available with great information.  Simply search “interviews” and you can review many of the resources available on the internet.

4)      VERBAL OFFERS

Once each host has completed their interviews, they will most likely proceed with verbal offers.  Again, there is the possibility that you may end up dealing with more than one offer at a time.  It is reasonable to ask the host for time to make your decision.  However, knowing that each host has a limited amount of time in order to complete their hiring process, asking for more than a few days to make your decision is not a reasonable request.  You will most likely need to make your decision within a couple of days.

In some instances, a verbal offer can be considered legally binding.  Therefore, ensure you are clear with your future employer when you accept a position.  It is okay to provide a conditional “yes” to the host, stating that you would like to review the offer letter (see below) first.  Ensure that this is clearly understood between you and the host.  You should discuss the details of your employment prior to verbally accepting an offer (and therefore should not find any surprises in the offer letter). 

In some cases, you may decide after reviewing the offer letter that the position is not what you expected, in which case you may respectfully decline.  However, do consider the impression of yourself that you are leaving with an organization if you first accept, then decline, a verbal offer.  All hosts involved in the program are in contact with one another during the hiring process.  Organizations will let each other know who they have interviewed and who they have hired.  The supervisors from each host organization also attend ministry training sessions with their intern throughout the year.  You will see the people who you interviewed with at other organizations at ministry training sessions and conferences throughout your internship year.

5)      OFFER LETTERS

After a verbal offer has been accepted, organizations will then send out an offer letter to the candidate for review and signature.  This letter normally includes the significant details about your employment (e.g. start date, salary, benefits, etc.)  Once you have signed and submitted your offer letter, this is considered a legally binding contract.  Therefore, ensure that this is the organization that you want to work for over the next year before you sign the letter.

Once your letter is signed, you are an official participant in the Municipal Internship Program for Land Use Planners.  Congratulations on making it through the interview process and welcome to the Internship Program!  Your host organization and Internship Program staff will work with you throughout the year to provide you with the best Internship experience possible.

Although it is the responsibility of each host to conduct their own interviews, any questions you have as you progress through this process may be answered by talking to Internship Program staff.  Please contact Ms. Melanie Wood at 780-427-2225 or toll-free at 310-0000 and dialing 780-427-2225.