Research Trainee

City of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major Canadian city seeks a Research Trainee to assist in field research related to urban planning. The ideal candidate will have completed at least one year in a relevant post-secondary program and possess skills in data collection and analysis. Responsibilities include visiting various businesses to gather critical urban data, utilizing GIS software and other digital tools. The role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and as a team, contributing to the city's growth and planning efforts.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Opportunity for personal growth and advancement

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program related to urban planning or environmental studies.
• Capable of collecting and analyzing census and land use data.
• Able to interact efficiently with staff and clients.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys and gather data for urban planning research.
• Independently visit various employment sites to record relevant data.
• Use a tablet computer to maintain employment and land use databases.

Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Problem solving skills

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking skills

Education

Post-secondary degree in Urban Planning, Geography, GIS or Environmental Studies

Tools

GIS software

Windows environment

Job description

Job ID: 61903 Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research Division & Section: City Planning, CP Strategic Initiatives Policy&Analysis Work Location:, 55 John Street Job Type & Duration: Full-Time, Temporary (4 months) Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $21.82 -$ 23.75 Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week Affiliation: L79 Full-Time Number of Positions Open: 26 Posting Period: 9-Feb-2026 to 23-Feb-2026

Job Description

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 3 million people. Consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities, we are a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture. Join the award-winning Toronto Public Service as a Research Trainee working on the Toronto Employment Survey within our City Planning Division.

Work for the City Planning Division and help us understand how the City’s economy and land use are changing by doing field research. Use a tablet computer in the field to collect thousands of records of information on employment and land use that we use to plan the City’s future development and the services it offers.

Major Responsibilities

• Participates in a field survey by gathering data from thousands of business establishments, buildings and properties in the City of Toronto for use in urban planning research and policy development, within the context of municipal planning and current planning issues in Ontario
• Independently visits places of employment and other sites in all parts of the City and determines and records various characteristics, e.g. business name; number of employees; land use, employment activity; development and construction characteristics
• Collects, enters and maintains data into the employment and land use databases using a tablet computer and GIS software in the field and in the office, edits and verifies material, and conducts on-site and telephone call-backs when necessary
• Precisely follows procedures and works accurately and efficiently within strict time- frames, and keeps supervisors proactively advised of the status of the assigned work
• Works independently and as a member of a team to complete the assigned tasks and collaborates with others to complete the project on schedule
• Assists with packing, loading, lifting, moving, delivering and unpacking supplies, displays etc.
• Assists others with drafting documents, bulletins etc. and data analysis.
• Answers calls, provides general information, takes messages and directs inquiries to appropriate staff to answer questions/handle requests.
• Assists in general office duties as required.

Key Qualifications

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

• Currently enrolled in, and having completed, at least one year of a post‑secondary educational degree program in Urban Planning or in Geography, GIS or Environmental Studies with an emphasis on urban and/or regional planning.
• Experience with using computers, preferably in a Windows environment.
• Experience with collecting and analyzing census and land use data.
• Experience in working with others and setting priorities to achieve team objectives.

You must also have

• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with staff and clients in an efficient and diplomatic manner, both in person and over the phone.
• Strong problem solving, organizational and multi‑tasking skills.
• Ability to work under time constraints and meet deadlines.
• Ability to collect, maintain, verify, and analyze data.
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the City of Toronto and able to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to carry a tablet computer with a weight of 2.5 kg for daily field survey work over many weeks.

Hybrid Work Program

The City of Toronto's Workplace Modernization Program is re‑imagining how we work in our workplace. Its vision is to provide flexibility to our employees around how we work and where we work. It will also support a better work‑life balance, improved job satisfaction and employee engagement. Improving the work experience is at the core of this program and everyone plays a significant role in its realization. We have introduced the Hybrid Work Program which supports a modern and flexible way of working. The hybrid approach will allow us to keep the best of remote work while integrating the important aspects of in‑person collaboration and team‑work.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.