Company: Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Location: Ottawa, ON
Expected salary: $21 per hour
Job date: Tue, 04 Mar 2025 23:56:38 GMT
Job description: PositionJack Layton Fellow – Sustainability Working GroupDepartmentGreen Municipal FundClassificationInternshipSalary$21.00/hrLanguagesEnglish required; French is an assetTermMay to August 2025LocationHybrid (Ottawa)Why Apply?Join FCM’s Jack Layton Summer Fellowship to gain hands-on experience in corporate sustainability, climate action, and GHG reduction strategies while contributing to meaningful environmental initiatives. This paid 16-week placement offers professional development, networking opportunities, and mentorship in a collaborative, hybrid work environment. You’ll also take part in a special initiative honoring Jack Layton’s legacy, engaging youth in municipal issues. If you’re passionate about sustainability, climate leadership, and making a real impact, this is your opportunity to grow your skills and career at FCM!About FCMThe Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal governments, representing the interests of cities and communities with the federal government.With over 2,000 members including Canada’s largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations, FCM represents over 90% of Canada’s population. As the national voice of Canadian municipalities, FCM is an organization that strives to make the communities Canadians live in more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable.Role OverviewWith support from staff and the organization’s Sustainability Working Group, FCM leadership has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and working towards a long-term goal of carbon neutrality. This initiative is aligned with many of FCM’s ongoing efforts, including policy and advocacy work on climate change through our Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. FCM also administers the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), which provides funding to municipalities for sustainable development initiatives including climate change action plans; and the Partners for Climate Protection program, which is a network of municipalities moving through a common framework to reduce GHG emissions. In this context, reducing FCM’s internal contributions to climate change is an important way to “walk the talk” and lead by example.FCM is seeking to hire a summer fellow to support the implementation of the organization’s Sustainability Charter, which outlines seven key performance areas that need to be addressed in order for FCM to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions: transportation, procurement, energy use in buildings, waste management, events/meetings, water conservation and staff engagement.What You’ll DoPrimary Component (80%):Working closely with FCM’s Sustainability Working Group (SWG), a summer fellow will lead projects identified in the FCM Climate Strategy currently in development, responsible for the following tasks:Sustainability Working Group (80%):Reporting
- Conduct analysis and report on the corporate GHG inventory for 2024 calendar year using the SoFi online inventory tool.
- Explore the impact of a primarily virtual workforce on FCM’s GHG inventory and tracking.
- Present to the SWG on progress and support presentations to FCM leadership.
- Create a final report summarizing activities and recommendations to be presented to all staff.
Sustainable Events
- Work with the in-house events experts on the development of FCM’s sustainable events strategy.
- Create an internal resource guide for sustainable catering, including but not limited to; lists of preferred green caterers, tips and tricks, and templated request forms.
Waste Reduction
- Work with Facilities and other internal stakeholders to conduct a waste audit and evaluate further opportunities to implement a zero-waste policy for FCM, including the elimination of single use plastic.
- Craft internal communications to help improve staff’s recycling practices at home and in the office.
- Stay up to date on best practices in waste management and sharing improvement opportunities.
Procurement
- Research best practices for sustainable certifications and procurement policies
- Support the quantification of FCM’s baseline GHG emissions from procurement in 2024.
- Collaborate with the Information Systems department to improve sustainable procurement, disposal of IT equipment and identify opportunities to quantify FCM’s GHG emissions associated with data storage.
- Identify gaps in existing sustainable procurement policies, developing briefing memos for any areas for improvement.
Carbon Offsets
- Working with FCM’s carbon offset supplier to track and allocate our offsets to the best Canadian projects.
- Updating and maintaining FCM’s carbon offset registry.
Staff engagement
- Develop tools and resources to support FCM staff engagement in sustainability initiatives, including written communications, events, etc.
- Prepare presentations and other onboarding materials to ensure new FCM staff are well informed about the SWG. Update and roll-out an orientation PPT and reading materials for new SWG team members.
Secondary Component (20%); Jack Layton Memorial Project:
- Work collaboratively within a team offellows selected from various FCM departments.
- Continue the development of a campaign to commemorate Jack Layton’s work. This campaign will focus on youth engagement in local communities with an emphasis on participation in municipal issues.
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environment studies, urban planning, engineering, or related fields;
Working towards a Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental studies, urban planning, engineering, or related fields. * Experience with organizational sustainability initiatives, in either a leadership or participant role;
- Experience with GHG software and conducting organizational GHG inventories;
- Strong research and analytical skills – able to conduct rigorous research, summarize findings and present recommendations;
- Strong communication skills including the ability to prepare and conduct presentations and lead training workshops;
- Professional writing and material development skills – ability to write succinct reports and communications materials for a professional audience;
- Bilingualism in both official languages is an asset. Ability to read in French is required.
- Results Oriented: Committed to achieving results, demonstrating innovation and creativity in overcoming obstacles.
- Organizes time, work and resources to accomplish objectives in the most effective and efficient way.
- Client Focus: Making client satisfaction a priority and at the center of all decisions. Providing service excellence to internal and external clients.
- Teamwork: Contributing to the development of a team environment where team members ultimately achieve established goals.
- Ethics and Fairness: Treating everyone fairly and equitably and maintaining high ethical standards.
- English essential. The ability to edit and communicate in both official languages is an asset.
Considering a Summer PlacementThis is a 16-week paid summer placement where students will gain hands-on Sustainability Working Group experience while building valuable professional networks.
- Duration: May–August 2025
- Compensation: $21.00/hour + 4% vacation pay (subject to statutory deductions)
- Hours:
– May–June: 7.5 hours/day, Monday to Friday– July–August: 7 hours/day, Monday to Thursday (summer hours)
- Work Model: Hybrid (virtual & on-site in Ottawa)
- You must be currently enrolled in Post secondary education to be considered for a Jack Layton Fellowship placement
Grow Your Career with FCMThis internship is a great stepping stone for future opportunities at FCM. While this is a temporary position, interns gain valuable experience, mentorship, and connections that could lead to future employment should opportunities arise.Work Location & EligibilityThe future of work at FCM includes a hybrid work model; therefore, this role will be a combination of virtual and on-site work. The successful candidate is required to live within 80 km of downtown Ottawa and be authorized to work in Canada.Equity, Diversity & InclusionFCM is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where individuals of all backgrounds can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all identities, including those from underrepresented communities.We also provide accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in the recruitment process.How to ApplyVisit and navigate to the Careers section to apply.
- Application Deadline: March 17th, 2025
- Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will be kept on file for six months.
