Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP)

The Team
When you take on the role as an Indigenous Youth Intern, with the award-winning Indigenous Youth Internship Program, the experience can provide you with an opportunity that you’ll never forget. Find out more about the program, its people, and successes and submit your application before the deadline. You will learn many aspects of provincial government processes, participate in workshops across the province, develop your leadership and professional skills and create a path for your future education and career development.

The Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP) will launch its 18th year in the BC Public Service this September. The one-year opportunity – led by the BC Public Service Agency – welcomes exceptional Indigenous youth ages 19-29 and supports you through:

• Nine months of work in a ministry
• Three months of work at an Indigenous organization in B.C.

The Role
This is an opportunity like no other! The program is designed to support Indigenous youth in developing their leadership skills through on-the-job experience, a strong peer network, supportive colleagues, dedicated program employees, and IYIP-specific activities.

We have many placements available in ministries across the province. Some of the exciting work you may be involved in could include:

• Ministry specific projects and work assignments
• Indigenous project development
• Policy analysis and development
• Indigenous youth engagement
• Indigenous community liaison
• Event and conference coordination
• Program delivery
• Communications and community development projects

We are looking for Indigenous youth who communicate well, have strong writing and research skills, embrace learning opportunities, enjoy new challenges, and are engaged in their Indigenous, youth or academic communities. For complete details on this opportunity, please review the attached job profile.

For complete details about this opportunity, including accountabilities, please refer to the attached job profile.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Eligibility requirements for the Indigenous Youth Internship Program: 

• Due to nature of the program and in accordance with Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, only people of Indigenous descent (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) will be considered
• 19 to 29 years of age as of September 1, 2025
• Currently reside in British Columbia
• Grade 12 graduation as of March 2025, or equivalent with some post-secondary education, or equivalent with a combination of work, life, community, education and/or experience as noted below
• Demonstrated leadership potential, either through work, community or volunteer experience, for example:

• Youth representative on a youth council
• Community governance
• Organizing your community’s participation in large events and gatherings
• Co-ordinating cultural events
• Board member for an organization
• Coaching in sport

For questions regarding these positions, please contact Amanda.Sylvester@gov.bc.ca.

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit STEPS 1 and 2 via the online application process:

STEP 1:  A Resume – Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying;
STEP 2:  Complete an online comprehensive questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.
STEP 3: Submit two completed reference forms to IndigenousYouthInternshipProgram@gov.bc.ca before the closing date. These are required to be considered for the program. Reference forms must be completed by members of the Indigenous community holding roles such as: supervisors, teachers, instructors or professors, coaches, or leaders such as Chiefs, Councillors, Elders, Youth Council Representatives, etc.
• An official IYIP Reference Form is attached to this posting within the Job Profile document, or you can find it here.

PLEASE SEND TWO COMPLETED REFERENCE FORMS TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS:
IndigenousYouthInternshipProgram@gov.bc.ca DO NOT SEND YOUR RESUME TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS.

About this Position:
Due to nature of the program and in accordance with Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, only people of Indigenous descent (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) will be considered.

Internships will begin on September 8, 2025, and end on August 31, 2026

Internships may be located in multiple communities around the province of B.C., depending on positions and operational requirements. The locations listed above are to assist applicants in searching for this opportunity and are not a complete list of locations.

Some positions may have flexible work options available; these positions may be able to work from home a few days a week subject to an approved Telework Agreement. 
Some positions may have full-time on-site requirements. 

A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required. Some positions may require a Criminal Record Review Act Check (CRRA) or Enhanced Security Screening (ESS).

Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in B.C. at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

How to Apply:
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed above. Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting.

Cover Letter: NO – Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES – Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.

Questionnaire: YES – You will need to complete a comprehensive questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Include all relevant information about your educational accomplishments and employment history including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and how you obtained your relevant experience. The questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.