Student – Veterinary Programs Research Assistant

Are you a student or recent graduate looking for an opportunity to build your career over the summer? Are you passionate about making a difference?

The Summer Employment Opportunities program provides opportunities to obtain valuable work experience, gain transferable skills, and build professional networks.

• LEARN: Jump start your career, whether you want to learn business skills, use your French language skills, help out in a lab, or work outdoors. Put the knowledge you've acquired at school into action.
  
• GROW: Enhance your skills and expand your network by working on projects, leading initiatives and sharing your ideas. Transfer the skills you learn to your future school and work experiences.
  
• CONTRIBUTE: In addition to advancing your professional and personal skills, you will also give back to your community. Spend your summer working to support the interests of Ontarians!

Information to assist you with the application process is available on the Summer Employment Opportunities website (opens in a new tab).

This job posting represents multiple positions within different ministries and at various locations across Ontario. Certain cities may be located in distant or remote areas in Ontario and may not be accessible by public transit. Carefully review locations through Google Maps (opens in a new tab) and select ONLY those locations that you are able to travel to and work in. You can select up to 10 locations.

Notes:

• Relocation expenses and/or accommodations are not covered by ministries.
• The number of positions to be filled is approximate and subject to change.
• Please use your legal name when applying to the job ad.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Work Description:

You may be required to work on some or all of the following tasks:

• Provide customer service assistance by responding to public and/or internal inquiries
• Conduct field work that may be physically demanding
• Field work might include assisting staff with field studies and technical inspections and investigations
• Plan, organize, coordinate and manage assigned work

These positions will support different teams on a range of veterinary-related activities including:

Inspections

• Accompany veterinarians, inspectors or other ministry staff to abattoirs, meat processing plants, community livestock sales, ministry training sessions and/or meetings
• File reports with the assistance of unit staff
• Assist in the review and edit of correspondence, reports, presentations, policy papers, etc.
• Adhere to ministry policies, practices, standards, legislation and regulations
• Assist in developing/delivering training materials such as PowerPoint presentations and reference information

Science or Program Assistant

• Input data into a database and perform simple analyses
• Perform basic data analysis and information evaluation to produce accurate reports and/or identify trends
• Perform literature searches on topics in veterinary medicine, livestock health, public health, or livestock production systems
• Assist with the sourcing or creation of factual and accurate resource materials for producers, industry organizations or veterinary practitioners related to livestock health, production systems and humane practices

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

You must meet all eligibility criteria by the first day of employment (contracts begin between May and July):

1. Student Status: You must be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution (currently or for the fall semester) OR you must have graduated within the past six months (for example, if you graduated in December, you can apply for and start a summer student position up until June of the following year).
   
2. Age: You must be a minimum of 15 years of age. There is no maximum age limit.
   
3. Residency: You must be a resident of Ontario during the term of employment.
   
4. Work Status: You must be legally entitled to work in Canada. You are also required to have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) upon being hired.
   
5. Application: Applications are only accepted online by clicking the "Apply Online" button. Your application should describe how you meet the knowledge and skill requirements outlined on this ad.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• You apply your written communication skills to document findings, record data, and prepare a variety of documents (e.g. reports).
  
• You apply your verbal communication skills to communicate and share your knowledge with staff, and to support the delivery of education and outreach initiatives.
  
• You apply your customer service skills and your verbal, written, and active listening communication skills to respond to phone, email, and in-person inquiries, and to provide information to internal clients and/or the public.
  
• You apply your initiative and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• You have an interest in livestock, meat hygiene, or general food safety.
  
• You have an interest in animal welfare, humane handling, or veterinary medicine.
  
• You apply your knowledge of livestock production behaviour and welfare to assist with inspections.
  
• You have knowledge and experience with data collection, data entry, statistical analysis, and reporting.
  
• You apply your experience using Microsoft Office applications, such as Word (word processing) and Excel (spreadsheets), as well as databases, email, and the internet to conduct research and prepare a variety of documents.

Analytical and Organizational Skills

• You apply your planning and organizational skills to collect, organize, review, and verify information/data through review of files, reports, and other means.
  
• You apply your evaluative and analytical skills to analyze information, conduct data and trend analysis, and develop recommendations for environmental reports/projects.
  
• You work independently or as part of a team; you plan, organize, and prioritize your work to meet competing deadlines.

Other Requirements

• You are willing and able to observe animal handling and behaviour at community livestock sales and/or pound facilities.
  
• You are willing to participate in field work that may be physically demanding.
  
• You have a valid Ontario G2 (or higher) Driver's Licence or equivalent.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, December 6, 2024 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.