Project Assistant (Student)

Defence Construction Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian Crown corporation is seeking engineering and data sciences students for casual work experience in Ottawa. This role will provide exposure to construction management, environmental services, and project management. Successful candidates will gain hands-on experience and support tasks such as managing contracts and documenting project compliance. Students will develop critical skills in a supportive environment. A bilingual requirement and security clearance processing will apply. Competitive hourly rates are offered based on academic level.

Benefits

Competitive hourly pay

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in accredited college or university for engineering, environmental science or data sciences.
• Good judgment and positive attitude required.
• Ability to work independently is essential.

Responsibilities

• Research, prepare and present documentation related to projects.
• Provide project and program management support.
• Monitor contracts and compliance with requirements.

Skills

Strong critical thinking

Writing skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Knowledge of Office software

Education

Enrolled in engineering or related field

Job description

Who Can Apply?

Internal (DCC Employees) and External (General Public)

Salary Range

$50,407 - $65,528

Employment Status

Casual

Term Length

4 months

Security Level

Reliability

Language Requirement

Bilingual Mandatory

Closing Date

28/02/2026

Country

Canada

Are you an engineering, engineering technology, environmental or data sciences student interested in the fields of construction management, environmental services, project and program management, real property management, data sciences or real property management?

Are you excited by the prospect of supporting projects for clients in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence?

We are looking for students in these fields who have strong critical thinking, writing, and interpersonal skills to join one of our teams in the National Capital Region.

DCC is a dynamic and fast-paced Crown corporation. Our clients include the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence. Our more than 1,000 civilian employees work in offices across the country, often located on military bases. Our corporate values of dedication, collaboration, competence and fairness guide our actions, the way we make decisions and how we conduct our business. To help us lead the way, we are looking for highly motivated, ready-to-learn and reliable individuals who would like to contribute their best.

As part of DCC’s ongoing efforts to recruit a diverse workforce, the National Student Program offers students a 2–4-month work experience term. This is a great opportunity for students to be exposed to a work environment and to expand their skills.

We are excited to have several opportunities in the National Capital Region.

What You Can Expect

You will expand your skills and build a network of colleagues in a variety of disciplines who are passionate about the work they do and will lead and mentor you in a high-performing environment. Successful candidates will gain office and field experience in construction and /or project management work, and may support in the following tasks:

• Researching, preparing and presenting documentation related to project initiation, development, definition and implementation
• Providing project and program management support
• Monitoring contracts (construction, property management, environmental)
• Checking compliance with contractual requirements and reporting deviations
• Maintaining records, schedules and documents, and preparing standard reports
• Coordinating data to provide analytical and visual reporting tools using various automated data sources and technologies
• Supporting renovation and new construction projects
• Participating in the tendering phases of construction contracts by reviewing plans and specifications
• Participate in consultant, construction and staff meetings
• Providing administrative support

Find out more about working at DCC: https://dcc-cdc.gc.ca/english/careers/

What We Are Looking For

• Good judgement, positive attitude and flexible nature
• Knowledge of computer software programs (Office suite) and how to use them
• Strong critical thinking, writing and interpersonal skills, with an attention to detail
• The ability to work independently

Who We Are Looking For

• You meet the minimum age requirement to work in Ontario
• You are currently enrolled in engineering, engineering technology, architecture, environmental science, data sciences or related field at an accredited college or university
• A valid drivers license and access to a vehicle is preferred
• You are eligible to work in Canada
• The remuneration for post-secondary students will align with the pay rates established by the Government of Canada’s Treasury Board guidelines. Compensation will be determined by the student's academic level and experience.

Hourly pay scale for post-secondary students: $19.50-$27.50/hr. For detailed information, please refer to the Treasury Board student salary ranges.

To begin a career with Defence Construction Canada (DCC), you must be a Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. As a condition of employment with DCC, a minimum reliability security status clearance is required and some roles may require secret security status clearance.

DCC is responsible for the Personnel Security Clearance process. Typically to be eligible for a "Reliability" clearance, you must have five years of verifiable background information and to be eligible for a "Secret" clearance, you must have 10 years of verifiable background information. The process usually involves reference inquiries, verification of qualifications, criminal records checks, and credit checks (as required) and may require fingerprints. For more information about obtaining a security clearance, please review the Standard on Security Screening.

Required

The appropriate security clearance is a condition of employment and it is the candidate’s or employee’s responsibility to ensure, they are able to obtain and maintain their required security level clearance to begin or continue their employment with DCC. Failure to obtain or maintain, the appropriate level of security clearance means either the candidate or employee will not receive a job offer, the conditional offer will be rendered null and void or their employment will be terminated with cause. A thorough security clearance process will be applied to all candidates or employees considered for an appointment; this process includes inquiries, verifications and assessments regarding matters such as, but not limited to:

• criminal record checks
• reference checks
• previous employment
• open source checks
• credit/financial status

DCC's Code of Business Conduct (Code) is a condition of employment. It serves to enhance public confidence in the integrity of DCC Employees and provides clarity to Employees on a number of issues, including real or perceived conflicts of interest. Before applying to this (or any) position at DCC, candidates shall familiarize themselves with the Code, because new employees are required to certify that they have read, understood, and agreed to observe the Code upon commencing work at DCC. Employees are further required to review their obligations under the Code and notify the President's Office of any changes in their circumstances at the earliest possible opportunity, and to complete the Annual Update once a year.

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace!

At DCC, we are committed to ensuring everyone has a voice and can be their authentic selves in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from all, including but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community. We also welcome applications from those who are not Canadian citizens who are eligible to work in Canada and have at least 5 years of verifiable background information.

DCC’s goal is to provide barrier-free access to employment opportunities and workspaces for employees and candidates. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. Should you require accommodation, please email [e-mail] .