Development Summer Student – Public Affairs / Government Relations

Northwest Employment Works; Ignace Township; On-site; CAD 20,664 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in nuclear waste management in Ignace, Ontario seeks an enthusiastic Developmental Summer Student to assist in government relations and external engagement for their Deep Geological Repository project. This role offers hands-on experience in coordinating meetings and activities, drafting materials, and supporting outreach initiatives under the mentorship of seasoned professionals. Enrolled students will gain practical skills while contributing to community engagement efforts.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Confident and professional communicator.
• Strong persuasive and professional writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Support government engagement with logistics and participation in meetings.
• Maintain engagement trackers and coordinate activities.
• Assist in drafting correspondence and briefing materials.
• Prepare for and staff outreach booths as needed.

Skills

Professional communicator

Strong writing skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Enrolled in a post-secondary program

Job description

Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not‑for‑profit organization tasked with the safe, long‑term management of Canada’s intermediate‑ and high‑level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.
The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world‑class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management.
In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the hosts for the site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.
This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the deep geological repository will be situated in the area near Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future.

Development Summer Student – Public Affairs / Government Relations

One Position Available

Employment Period: 16‑week term from May 4, 2026, to August 27, 2026

Position Location: Ignace, Ontario – 304 Main Street

Job Summary

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic Developmental Student – Public Affairs to support government relations and external engagement activities connected to the Deep Geological Repository project in the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation–Ignace area.
This role provides hands‑on experience in supporting meetings with elected officials, tracking engagement, managing correspondence, and participating in conferences. The student will work closely with Government Relations and External Relations staff, receive mentorship from experienced public affairs professionals, and also have extended opportunities to support the HR Team with Ingenious recruitment and outreach activities if interested and time permits. Where appropriate, the student will accompany staff to meetings with Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament in host and regional communities, as well as possible meetings in Toronto and Ottawa. Flexible working arrangements for WLON members will be considered in accordance with operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Support government engagement by assisting with logistics, participating in meetings with elected officials, and recording engagement notes and follow‑ups
• Maintain engagement trackers and support coordination of government relations activities
• Assist with drafting simple correspondence and briefing materials
• Support preparation for and staffing of conference or outreach booths (as required)
• Contribute to post‑meeting summaries and action tracking
• Train and support the student on NWMO procedures and assigned tasks; the students will be given tasks based on business needs and their knowledge/skill level
• To the extent time allows beyond the duties described above, the student may be assigned to support additional Human Resources Talent Acquisition recruitment and outreach activities
• Occasional travel may be required (expenses covered by NWMO)

Qualifications

Required:

• Currently enrolled in a post‑secondary program
• Ability to synthesize complex information into accessible, plain language
• Confident and professional communicator
• Strong persuasive and professional writing skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Professionalism and discretion when supporting government‑facing engagements
• Ability to work on‑site in Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation with availability for occasional travel

Preferred:

• Studies in Political Science, Public Policy, Indigenous Studies, Communications, Public Administration, or related field
• Demonstrated interest in government relations, public affairs, Indigenous‑Crown relations, or public service
• Strong political acumen and interest in stakeholder engagement
• Experience supporting events, advocacy initiatives, student governance, or community programs

Eligibility

Students must be returning full‑time to their program at their university/College following the completion of their work term or be full‑time students requiring the work term or co‑op placement to graduate. Students must be eligible and available to work in Canada for 35 hours a week (7 hours per day) and meet the security clearance requirements. At times, this position may require modified 7‑hour workdays involving external events and activities.

Other Information

Please submit your application by visiting https://www.nwmo.ca/Careers and applying by March 29, 2026.

The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co‑creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well‑being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for its workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation, please contact us. We review applications on a rolling basis and encourage interested candidates to apply at their earliest convenience to ensure full consideration.

The NWMO is committed to a fair, transparent, and efficient recruitment process. While we sincerely appreciate every expression of interest, only those candidates selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted directly.