This profile provides interested municipalities with an idea of what is expected of them should they be selected as a host municipality for an intern.

Commitment by host municipalities

Hosting an intern is a significant commitment requiring municipal resources in both staff time and money. This program should not be seen as a temporary employment opportunity, but rather the chance to help build the administrative strength of local government in Alberta.

When thinking about whether your municipality would like to host an intern, it is important to consider the following:

• Does your municipality have the capacity to train the intern in all activities included in the Workplan or can you partner with a neighbouring municipality to do so?
• What can your municipality offer to an intern that will assist them in pursuing a career in local government?
• Are you able to commit the time and resources (both funding and staff) to support an intern?
• Is your CAO or a senior manager available to supervise an intern and what professional, supervisory and mentoring skills does this person possess that will help him/her be an effective supervisor?
• Is there support from both municipal council and administration for hosting an intern?

Criteria for host municipalities

The intent of this program is to help train interns so that they may pursue a career in senior municipal administration. Having the opportunity to work closely with staff and council in a municipality is a valuable experience. It is important to ensure that interns gain the greatest benefit possible from their internship. Municipalities are expected to meet the following criteria:

• The municipality has a population between 700 and 100,000;
• A strong council-administration relationship exists and there is strong commitment from both groups to have an intern;
• There is an organizational commitment to the Internship Program’s vision and goals;
• The CAO or a senior manager has agreed to serve as the intern supervisor for the duration of the program;
• A sufficient commitment of resources, both financial and staff, has been made; and
• There is an ability to provide training in a wide range of municipal functions and interest in sharing knowledge and experiences with the intern and working with the intern to complete the Workplan.

Intern activities

Municipal Affairs has developed a Workplan and a Guidebook that will help provide guidelines for determining the activities and opportunities interns should be exposed to during their internship. The intern and host municipality will work collaboratively to determine the most effective method of completing the prepared Workplan.
 
The Guidebook is based on the structure provided in the Workplan. It provides information and recommends activities the intern is encouraged to undertake during his/her year. The intern is expected to observe and practice the management functions by performing exercises that deal directly with the mayor/reeve and council members, as well as all levels of management within the municipality. Some examples of activities included in the Guidebook are:

• Identifying the roles and responsibilities of council and administration;
• Assisting with the preparation of operating and capital budgets;
• Drafting bylaws;
• Preparing the agenda for the regular council/committee meetings;
• Interacting with department heads;  
• Interacting with various boards and committees;
• Handling public and research inquiries; and
• Researching policy issues.

Throughout the year, Municipal Affairs will be sponsoring program related events, such as an orientation session and an Executive Week workshop. Interns are expected to participate in all ministry-sponsored events. Part of the grant provided to the municipality is intended to pay for the expenses associated with attending these events.

Selection process for host municipalities

Twelve municipalities will be selected to host an intern for the 2010/11 year of the Municipal Internship Program for Administrators. Interns will start their internships in May 2010.

Candidates interested in being interns will submit applications to the ministry by January 29, 2010.  The ministry will process the applications and create a shortlist of those candidates who meet the criteria specified. This shortlist will be forwarded to the host municipalities in early February.

Hosts will be responsible for contacting candidates, setting interviews, selecting interns, and negotiating contract terms. The final selection of interns should be completed by March 29, 2010 with employment to commence in May 2010.