Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Summer Student Employment Program, you must satisfy the following criteria:

• be legally eligible to work in Canada;
• be 16 years of age or older by the first day of summer employment (for employment with the Ottawa Public Library you must be a minimum of 15 years of age and certain positions in Recreation, Cultural & Facility Services you must be a minimum of 14 years of age at the time of applying for a summer position);
• be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary program or institution of higher learning on a full-time basis, returning to school or graduating that same year; and
• if a part-time student in university or college, your transcript must indicate that the course of study is leading you to a degree or diploma.

Summer student hiring process

Step 1: Application phase

All applicants are given the opportunity to apply online starting February 1. Pre-screening questions must be completed online.

Step 2: Assessment phase

This will take place during the month of March. All applications will be reviewed, and the interview process may begin. If selected for an interview, you may be contacted by email and/or telephone as per the information provided on your application.

Step 3: Decision making and selection phase

This will take place throughout the month of April. Successful applicant’s credentials and job specific qualifications will be reviewed, and copies collected. If successful, a verbal job offer will be issued.

Step 4: Hiring and documentation phase

This will take place either in April or beginning of May. Successful applicants will be instructed to accept their offer online and to complete mandatory hiring documentation. Hire dates for Summer Students may begin as early as May 1.

Important facts and information

The City of Ottawa does not accept unsolicited, late or incomplete online applications. Consideration for employment will only be given for jobs in which an application has been submitted.

Vulnerable Sector Check or Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check

Applicants are advised that a Vulnerable Sector Check or Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check may be required prior to being hired into a summer student job. If it is required for a summer student job, this information will be included on the job posting.
For information on how to apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check or Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, please visit the Ottawa Police Service (link is external) website.

Police record checks completed by a third-party company will not be accepted.

Documents required prior to being hired:

• Proof of student status (such as a transcript)
• Proof of age
• Proof of Certifications and/or Credentials (if required for the job, refer to the job posting)
• Successfully completed Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJM) or a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) (if required for the job, refer to the job posting).

The City of Ottawa would like to extend a thank you to all those who apply, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

For all inquiries, please contact the HR Service Centre at 613-580-2424, extension 47411.