Freshwater Policy Research Fellow

Freshwater Policy Research Fellow - Research Affiliate Program

Reference number : CWA25J-177137-000042

Selection process number : 25-DOE-NCR-STU-657042 Canada Water Agency - Freshwater Policy, Engagement

Locations

Edmonton (Alberta), Vancouver (British Columbia), Winnipeg (Manitoba), Fredericton (New Brunswick), Moncton (New Brunswick), Dartmouth (Nova Scotia), Burlington (Ontario), Toronto (Ontario), Gatineau (Québec), Montréal Island (Québec), Québec (Québec), Regina (Saskatchewan)

Duration

For a 6-month period from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026, with the possibility of extending for another 6-month period to Fall 2026.

Salary

For a Master's degree, the rates of pay are from $25.17 to $31.69 per hour. For a Doctorate degree, the rates of pay are from $29.64 to $38.38 per hour.

Closing Date

Closing date : 18 August 2025 - 23 : 59, Pacific Time

Who can apply

To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities you must meet the following criteria :

• Be residing in Canada or be a Canadian citizen residing abroad.
• Be recognized as having full-time student status (1) and must be enrolled (in an area of specialization relevant to the position) at a recognized post-secondary institution. (Proof will be required).
• Be the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

1) - This includes students with physical or emotional disabilities deemed to have full-time status by their academic institution. Adult students registered in education and retraining programs at the secondary level may also be eligible for student employment programs. Learn more about whether you are eligible.

Important Messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Work Environment

• Payment will be based on the federal government’s student rates of pay.
• Working hours are part-time and will be agreed upon between the hired candidate(s) and their supervisor. Work must be performed from Monday to Friday. Start / end times are flexible.
• Hybrid work model : must be able to report in person to a Canada Water Agency office (locations across Canada) a minimum of 60% of regular schedule, unless eligible for an exception, in accordance with the common hybrid work model for the Federal Public Service.

Intent of the Process

The intent of the process is to staff one (1) student position for the completion of a Master's or PhD program with a research component at a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in or related to freshwater. The work location will depend on the geographical location of the candidate and the Canada Water Agency offices.

A pool of qualified candidates will be created as a result of this process for future opportunities.

Positions to be filled : 1

Information You Must Provide

• Your résumé.
• A covering letter "Please provide a cover letter demonstrating 1) the alignment between your research project and the Agency's work and mandate and 2) your motivations for participating. This letter will be used to evaluate your writing ability. The maximum length of the cover letter must be 500 words."
• A response to a text question addressing the following :
• An online written exam (text question) will be used to assess the following essential competency :
• Ability to translate evidence (e.g. research findings, Indigenous knowledge) into policy advice.

Candidates are required to submit the written exam along with their applications.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year.

Essential Qualifications

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION :

• EDU1 : Full-time enrollment in a master's or PhD program with a research component at a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in or related to freshwater.
• EDU2 : Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• This includes students with physical or emotional disabilities deemed to have full-time status by their academic institution. Adult students registered in education and retraining programs at the secondary level may also be eligible for student employment programs. Learn more about whether you are eligible.

EXPERIENCE :

• EXP1 : Experience in planning and conducting research and analysis.
• EXP2 : Experience summarizing complex issues and presenting complex information to non-specialists either in writing or verbally.
• Experience can include coursework, volunteer work, paid work, etc.

Other Qualifications

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS :

• A-EXP1 : Experience in one of the following areas of policy work : development, analysis, innovation, experimentation, or other.
• A-EXP2 : Current involvement in a research project focused on water security or water economics.
• Experience can include coursework, volunteer work, paid work, etc.
• Water security is defined by the United Nations as “the capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of and acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability”.
• Water economics includes but is not limited to valuing water and the hydrological cycle, valuing water as a common good, water conservation, and fair allocation of water resources.

Assessment Criteria

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

LANGUAGE :

English or French (French or English Essential depending on the geographical location of the candidate.)

KNOWLEDGE :

• K1 : Knowledge of freshwater issues and governance in Canada.

ABILITIES / SKILLS :

• A1 : Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• A2 : Ability to translate evidence (e.g., research findings, Indigenous knowledge) into policy advice.
• A3 : Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• A4 : Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data, knowledge or information.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY :

• PS1 : Judgement
• PS2 : Integrity and respect
• PS3 : Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• PS4 : Working effectively with others

Employment Equity

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups : Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women.

Organizational Needs

The Government of Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities or women could be considered in priority.

Conditions of Employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

Other Information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.

A random and/or top-down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email for screening and assessment purposes. This will include communication of screening results and invitations to written tests and interviews. To that end, candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is also the candidate's responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.

We thank all applicants for their interest in our position(s). For the purpose of this staffing process, only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted.