Climate change, climate solutions

position: Municipal climate trainee

organized: Environmental Leadership Canada

location: Southern Ontario and Manitoba (see below)

*** Please apply using the application form on our website – https://www.environmentalleadership.ca/mci. Applications sent directly to our email address will not be considered. Please indicate you viewed this on GoodWork.ca.***

About environmental leadership in Canada

Environmental Leadership Canada (ELC) is a Canadian educational charity that believes people need to know more about how policy works so they can make policy work for the health of our planet.

Through our education programs, we aim to build a new generation of environmental leaders and strengthen the ability of ordinary Canadians who care about the environment to engage in our democracy and hold elected officials accountable for their environmental commitments.

About training

Provides municipal climate training (MCI) for young environmental leaders, Age 18-30with the opportunity to work and learn alongside municipalities that are investing in developing local solutions to climate change. Successful applicants to the program receive a six-month paid internship in one of the host municipalities and participate in cohort-based leadership and professional development.

Through the MCI programme, trainees gain first-hand experience and knowledge of municipal climate issues, solutions and local decision-making. Trainees will learn about various municipal governmental and political processes and will become well-versed in how to integrate climate change into municipal planning. The knowledge, experience and professional skills gained will help prepare participants for careers as local climate leaders

Most interns will perform a variety of tasks for their municipality. This can include researching municipal climate solutions, planning stakeholder engagement events, preparing information needed for a presentation at a council meeting, compiling information for greenhouse gas emissions inventories, conducting waste audits, assisting with communications or administrative work and/or writing or updating reports on climate action plans. Tasks will vary between municipalities and may include a wide range of opportunities depending on their needs.

Outside of work, interns will participate in leadership, networking, and professional development opportunities, including peer-to-peer learning, workshops, conferences, sharing their experiences with other municipalities, and fireside conversations with experts from industry, the nonprofit sector, and/or municipal government.

MCI software works from January to July 2026. Interns can expect to work personally In their host municipality, and place Full-time hours (about 37.5 hours/week). Most of this time will be spent with the host municipality, but each week, there will be a few hours of ELC programming dedicated to leadership and professional development. In January, all trainees participate in a week-long orientation course to learn about municipal government, the municipal climate landscape, and the rest of the group before beginning training. ELC programming is offered in a hybrid format with both in-person and online events.

Trainees get:

• A monthly stipend of $3,000, for a total of $18,000 over the six months of the program
• Up to $1,000 to participate in professional development opportunities tailored to their goals and interests
• Technology/Personal Internet Allowance of $500
• A $1,000 travel allowance to help cover transportation costs to the host office
• Covering travel costs to attend in-person program meetings and/or events

Who should apply?

ELC values ​​young leaders from all backgrounds and disciplines. We are eager to find local youth interested in building careers focused on municipal policy and/or climate leadership in their communities.​ This year, we have partnered with municipalities in Southern Ontario and Manitoba and are recruiting interns to become part of our third cohort.

Interns will be paired with the host municipality depending on their location. The host municipalities are:

1. Peterborough County – 310 Armor Rd, Peterborough, ON K9H 1Y6
2. Renfrew County – 9 International Dr, Pembroke, ON K8A 6W5
3. Prince Edward County – 280 Picton Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
4. Bruce County – 30 Park Street, Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0
5. Municipality of Port Hope – 284 N Victoria Street, Port Hope, ON L1A 0E4
6. City of Niagara Falls – 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2L1
7. City of Winnipeg – 252 Stafford Street, Winnipeg, MB R3M 0N5 and 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B9
8. Stonewall City – 293 Main Street Stonewall MB R0C 2Z0

Applicants must be:

• Age between 18 and 30 years as of January 1, 2026
• Able to work full time between January and July 2026
• Legally qualified to work full hours in Canada for the duration of the program (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, person with an open work permit, etc.)
• Residing or able to reside (e.g. homestay) within a one-hour commute and able to reach the host municipality office

We especially invite candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, a person of colour, a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, a person with a disability, gender diverse and/or a woman to apply.

ELC recognizes that leadership takes many forms. We also recognize that there are many pathways to gaining the types of skills and competencies needed to succeed in this program and that systemic barriers limit access to opportunities for many groups of people. For this reason, we invite young leaders to apply, regardless of their level or type of education and regardless of their type of leadership experience.

Based on the nature of work in the municipality and our role as a leadership development program, the following are some of the skills, experiences, and competencies that we value more than specific qualifications in the selection process:

• Show concern for climate/environment
• Demonstrate interest in politics, the political process, or political advocacy at any level of government
• Exceptional written communication skills in English (proficiency in French is an asset, but not required)
• Strong verbal communication skills in English
• Critical thinking skills
• Willingness to learn and engage with different political viewpoints (openness)
• curiousity
• Adaptability
• Initiative (“self-start”)
• Time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience in conducting research and the ability to effectively compile information
• Emotional intelligence

For more details about the selection process and training experience, please refer to Our website and frequently asked questions.

How to apply

Please apply using the application form on our website-https://www.environmentalleadership.ca/mci.

Please mention that you saw this on GoodWork.ca.

If you require any reasonable accommodations during the application process, Please contact the program director at mci@environmentalleadership.ca Before the application deadline.

Applications are due November 3, 2025.

Searching for candidates who live within 1 hour of the host municipal office: Peterborough County – 310 Armor Rd, Peterborough, ON K9H 1Y6 | Renfrew County – 9 International Dr, Pembroke, ON K8A 6W5 | Prince Edward County – 280 Picton Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0 | Bruce County – 30 Park Street, Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0 | Municipality of Port Hope – 284 Victoria St N, Port Hope, ON L1A 0E4 | City of Niagara Falls – 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2L1 | City of Winnipeg – 252 Stafford St, Winnipeg, MB R3M 0N5 and 510 Main St, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B9 | Town of Stonewall – 293 Main Street, Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0