Benefits of working at NPI
About
Northern Policy Institute is committed to building human capital in Northern Ontario. We take pride in hiring students and new graduates. We help them develop the skills they need to excel in their field. We want to help you grow as a professional while living and working in the amazing communities we serve.
Want to author your own work and have the opportunity to get published?!
Our interns and junior analysts don't fetch coffee. They are part of NPI's team as they learn and work alongside our core staff. Data and policy interns can expect to be responsible for their own projects that have a real impact on communities. They analyze real-world data and are authors of their own papers and projects.
Communications, events, operations, and finance interns will be responsible for planning and executing the everyday operational activities that keep NPI running.
Our staff is vibrant, dynamic, and supportive. We want to help you achieve your goals and excel during your time with us. We encourage and actively pursue a healthy work-life balance.
We have opportunities available at various times of the year. All positions are in-person in Northern Ontario.
4 Month Placements
These opportunities are open anytime to students returning to school and have a co-op component to their program. You will join the team at our main offices in Thunder Bay or Kirkland Lake and learn from the best. Be prepared to learn how we make a difference, and have fun exploring your career potential!
Who should apply? Someone pursuing a for-credit co-op opportunity and wants to do so in a unique educational environment.
Are International Students Eligible? Unfortunately, NO – although we continue to pursue funding to make this possible in the future.
Applications open: Ongoing.
Work term: Any 4 consecutive months (or longer, depending on your program).
Location: Kirkland Lake or Thunder Bay.
Salary Range:
- Pursuing College or Undergrad: $20–$23 per hour, 35 hours per week.
- Pursuing Masters: $24–$25 per hour, 35 hours per week.
Other Benefits:
- Bilingual increment if you speak English and Anishinabemowin, Oji-Cree, Cree, Michif or French;
- Summer Hours! NPI closes on Fridays for 16 weeks between May and August so that we can all enjoy summer and connect with the local communities;
- OHS and WHMIS training;
- Professional networking opportunities;
- Working with Us!
Don't see a posted co-op opportunity that fits your needs? Drop us a line at hr@northernpolicy.ca; let's talk.
This summer placement is the centrepiece of NPI's famous student employment program, Experience North. Placements work from one of our satellite offices in communities across Northern Ontario. You are encouraged to explore the community as you learn about Ontario's northern regions. A summer placement in Northern Ontario gives you the unique opportunity to delve into real-world policy issues while enjoying the best backyard playground in Ontario. Don't blink because 4 months will fly by during this fast-paced summer. We hire up to 10 placements every year.
Who should apply?
Someone who is looking:
- for a taste of living in northern Ontario;
- to build their resume and experience the benefits of living in these remarkable communities and
- for employment experience during their summer break, returning to school in the fall.
Are International Students Eligible? Unfortunately, NO – although we are working to secure funding to make this possible in future years.
Applications open: December.
Work term: May–August.
Location: Various satellite locations throughout Northern Ontario.
Salary Range:
- Pursuing College or Undergrad: $20–$23 per hour, 35 hours per week.
- Pursuing Masters: $24–$25 per hour, 35 hours per week.
Other Benefits:
- Bilingual increment if you speak English and Anishinabemowin, Oji-Cree, Cree, Michif or French;
- Summer Hours! NPI closes on Fridays for 16 weeks between May and August so that we can all enjoy summer and connect with the local communities;
- OHS and WHMIS training;
- Professional networking opportunities;
- Working with Us!
12 Month Placements
These one-year internships are the perfect way to fully experience what it is like to live in Northern Ontario. Develop and strengthen the skills you need to succeed in your career. These internships are open to recent graduates or anyone transitioning to a new job field. They are funded through the Northern Ontario Heritage Corporation (NOHFC) or FedNor. On average, NPI has 4 NOHFC interns and 1 FedNor intern each year. International graduates can apply for these positions if their work visa is valid.
Who should apply?
Someone who:
- has recently graduated or is transitioning to a new job field and
- is looking to build their resume.
Are International Students Eligible? YES (if you are eligible to work in Canada, you are eligible to apply).
Applications open: Please keep an eye on our website or social media for when these opportunities are available.
Work term: 12 months.
Location: Thunder Bay or Kirkland Lake.
Salary: $42,500 - $52,500 per year.
Other Benefits:
- Bilingual increment if you speak English and Anishinabemowin, Oji-Cree, Cree, Michif or French;
- 2 weeks' vacation AND 2 more weeks off over the December holidays;
- NPI recognizes all federal and provincial statutory holidays, and we have two floating holidays per year for those who celebrate days not recognized by Canada or Ontario;
- After Three Months – participate in NPI's 50/50 cost-shared benefits plan – life, disability, health and dental insurance;
- After three months - RRSP or TFSA contribution 2.5% (no requirement to match)
- Access to a Financial Advisor;
- Individual professional development account;
- Summer Hours! NPI closes on Fridays for 16 weeks between May and August so that we can all enjoy summer and connect with the local communities;
- Professional networking opportunities;
- OHS and WHMIS training;
- Working with Us!
Staff Positions
Who should apply? Someone:
- Looking to live and work in Northern Ontario;
- Wishing to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world data and research and
- Looking to have a concrete impact on local, provincial, and federal policies.
Are International Graduates Eligible? YES (if you are eligible to work in Canada, you are eligible to apply).
Applications open: Please keep an eye on our website or social media for when these opportunities are available.
Work term: standard 2-year (renewable) contracts.
Location: Thunder Bay or Kirkland Lake.
Salary Ranges:
Finance & Operations positions: $44,000 - $51,500 per year.
Marketing & Communications positions: $44,000 - $51,500 per year.
Analysts & Researchers: $46,500 - $54,000 per year.
Supervisors: $56,500 - $64,000 per year.
Other Benefits:
- Bilingual increment if you speak English and Anishinabemowin, Oji-Cree, Cree, Michif or French;
- 2 weeks' vacation (3 for Supervisors) AND 2 more weeks off over the December holidays;
- 1 extra week vacation for every 3 years at NPI;
- NPI recognizes all federal and provincial statutory holidays, and we have two floating holidays per year for those who celebrate days not recognized by Canada or Ontario;
- Summer Hours! NPI closes on Fridays for 16 weeks between May and August so that we can all enjoy summer and connect with the local communities;
- RRSP or TFSA contribution 5% (no requirement to match);
- Individual professional development account;
- Access to a Financial Advisor;
- OHS and WHMIS training;
- Professional networking opportunities;
- Working with Us!
How to Apply
Check our website for information about the positions available. For data and policy, each posting will have a different project associated with it. Take a look at all positions available to find a project that suits your interests and skills.
Read the job ad carefully. Each job posting will have the community that position will be located in. You MUST include a paragraph on why you chose that community. Read the job position carefully to ensure you don't miss any requirements.
Submit your 4 application components. Once you have chosen your ideal project and job position and double-checked any extra requirements needed for your application, send us your:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- References
- Paragraph on why you want to live and work in the community you have chosen
Please send all the above to hr@northernpolicy.ca and use the subject line indicated in the job posting.
More detail about available positions, application information and closing dates can be found on our website at northernpolicy.ca/careers
Thank You to our Sponsors
We would like to thank RBC Foundation, the SM Blair Foundation, Magnet and the Canada Student Work Placement Program (a program of the Government of Canada - Employment and Social Development Canada), and the Canada Summer Jobs Program (a program of the Government of Canada - Employment and Social Development Canada) for their support of our Experience North program. Without this generous support, we would not be able to offer these unique opportunities for youth to work in Northern Ontario.
Join some of our past Northern Policy Institute placements
who have worked throughout Northern Ontario
"This summer has given me the chance to hone my abilities as a researcher, writer, interviewer, and Excel spreadsheet-maker. It feels like I've been granted an all-access backstage pass to the region I grew up in, and I can't believe how much I've learned. "
– Mateo Orrantia (Marathon)
"This summer placement has allowed me to spend my weekdays learning about the regions of Northern Ontario and my weekends out exploring them – I couldn't ask for anything more. "
– Abby Shillinglaw (Temiskaming Shores)
"I would recommend the Experience North program to anyone who has an interest in community-level development, research and data analysis in Northern Ontario. "
– Mercedes Labelle (North Bay)
"Coming back a second year did not feel like coming back to the same job because NPI has so many different projects and skills needed to complete them that every experience/task feels brand new! "
– Maia Kvas (Timmins)
"I was excited to be able to take what I learned in school and apply it to this role. Through working as a Communications Officer, I was able to gain professional experience related to my field. "
– Christina Fera (Sault Ste. Marie)
"Thanks to Northern Policy Institute, I have been given the opportunity to be immersed in the realm of public policy and debate and continue expanding my knowledge in the field of communications. "
– Andrew Jalak (Sault Ste. Marie)
How do you build capacity?
Through EXPERIENCE!