Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP)
2011-2012 Program

Download FAQs for Host Municipalities in pdf

Host Municipality FAQs

1.  What is the Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP)?

2.  What are the requirements to be a host municipality?

3.  What criteria are used to select host municipalities?

4.  How long is the internship placement?

5.  Is there a way to participate if my municipality or administrator does not meet all of the host municipality requirements?

6.  How much money and other resources will my municipality be expected to contribute?

7.  What is the process for selecting host municipalities?

8. Can our municipality make an offer of permanent employment to our intern once their internship is complete?

9. Succession planning is a priority in our municipality. What happens if our municipality is not selected, or eligible to host an intern?

10. Who is eligible to apply as an intern in the program?

11. What is the deadline to apply for the 2011 program?

12. When will the successful municipalities be notified of their selection?

13. When must interns begin their placements?

14. What education seminars or conferences are interns and host administrators expected to participate in during their placement?

15. How can I get more information about this program?

1.  What is the Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP)?

Rural MAIP is a 52 week municipal administrator internship placement program taking place in select rural municipalities across the province.

2.  What are the requirements of the host municipality?

To be a host municipality, you must:

    Be open full-time business hours;

    Have existing strong council/administrator relationship;

    Have financial and resource commitment (in-kind and actual) from council;

    Provide a copy of council's unanimously supported resolution to authorize the municipality's participation in the Municipal Administrator Internship Program pilot program;

    Have sufficient space and infrastructure for the intern;

    Accommodate (and pass) site visits;

    Meet training requirements as specified in the program teaching guide;

and

    Follow applicable legislation and regulations according to labour standards, occupational health and safety, and provide a harassment and discrimination free workplace.

    The host administrator who will train the intern must hold an Advanced Certificate.

3.  What criteria are used to determine host municipalities?

Municipalities will be evaluated on their submitted application forms.  A successful application will show that the municipality meets program requirements and will provide a brief summary of how the municipality will meet the training requirements as outlined in the host administrator teaching guide.

 4.  How long is the internship placement?

The internship placement will be 52 weeks (one year). 

5.  Is there a way to participate if my municipality or administrator does not meet all of the host municipality requirements?

There may still be a way for your municipality to participate. Municipalities unable to meet all requirements may still be chosen as a host municipality, providing agreements are made with a neighbouring municipality to ensure interns receive complete training in all areas of the teaching guide. 

Contact program staff if your municipality is interested in this option. They will be able to give you details on municipalities in your region who may also require assistance to meet the requirements.

6.  How much money and other resources will my municipality be expected to contribute?

Interns will be hired as employees of the municipality for the duration of their placement (52 weeks), and paid a minimum salary (but not a maximum) of $36,000.  To assist with these costs, host municipalities will receive a $20,000 grant. 

Municipalities will also be required to fund in-kind costs associated with hosting an intern, such as your administrator's time, office space and equipment, attendance at educational seminars, conventions, etc., over the course of the placement. 

7.  What is the process for selecting host municipalities?

Host municipality application packages will be evaluated by a panel consisting of officials from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, SARM and RMAA. 

If necessary, potential host municipalities will be contacted for an interview within 4 - 6 weeks of the date on which their application was submitted.  The interview process will provide an opportunity for the panel to ask your municipality questions, and will provide an opportunity for you to ask questions.

The selection panel will make their choices of the successful host municipalities based on your application package and interview, if necessary. 

8. Can our municipality make an offer of permanent employment to our intern once their internship is complete?

Yes.  Interns are aware that employment is not guaranteed upon completion of their internship; however, municipalities may hire the intern, or assist them in finding employment upon completion. 

9. Succession planning is a priority in our municipality.  What happens if our municipality is not selected or eligible to host an intern?

Rural MAIP can be part of your municipality's succession planning, but may not assist all municipalities in their administrator recruitment challenges.  Please refer to Question no. 5 for options on how you may still participate in the program if your municipality is not successful in its application. 

10. Who is eligible to apply as an intern in the program?

MAIP targets students of the Local Government Authority (LGA) program and other relevant post-secondary education programs.  However, individuals interested in a career in municipal administration or with relevant work experience are also encouraged to apply to the program. 

Individuals not eligible to apply to the program are those currently employed in municipalities.

11. What is the deadline to apply for the 2011 program?

To better accommodate our members, the Rural MAIP will now have a continuous application intake.  This intake process will allow us to accept applications from both RMs and potential interns on an ongoing basis.  

12. When will the successful municipalities be notified of their selection?

Municipalities will be notified within 4 - 6 of submitting their application form of their selection as a host municipality. 

13. When must interns begin their internship?

The continuous application intake provides for the flexibility to start internships at the most opportune time for participants; all internships will be 52 weeks in length.

14. What education seminars or conferences are interns and host administrators expected to participate in during their placement?

Host administrators and interns are encouraged to participate in the RMAAS

Annual Convention, along with any division related training sessions and meetings.  It is encouraged that your administrator and intern participate in your SARM Division meeting, midterm, and annual conventions. 

Interns may also be working towards the completion of their degree or certificate during their placement.  Municipalities are encouraged to accommodate the intern's needs to meet their educational requirements. 

15. How can I get more information about this program?

For more information about the Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program please contact:

Shelley Kilbride
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
E-mail: skilbride@sarm.ca
Phone: 306.761.3729, Fax: 306.565.2141

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Laurel Feltin
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
E-mail: lfeltin@sarm.ca
Phone: 306.761.3733, Fax: 306.565.2141