Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP)
2011-2012 Program
Becoming a Host Municipality
The Internship
Selection Criteria
Financial and Time Commitment
How to Apply
Selection Process
Municipal administration is a rewarding career that offers unlimited opportunities. Recent surveys indicate upwards of 50 percent of current municipal administrators anticipate retiring or leaving the field within the next ten years. To assist municipalities in addressing this challenge, a pilot Municipal Administrator Internship Program has been developed to assist municipalities in recruiting and retaining educated, qualified professionals to Saskatchewan's municipal sector.
The program is a 52-week paid internship open to all municipalities that meet eligibility requirements. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities will provide host rural municipalities (RM) with a grant of $20,000 to cost-share the intern's salary, and the RM will be required to hire the intern as an employee for the duration of the placement, provide a salary and working space, and provide opportunities to attend other training seminars and conventions. Municipalities unable to meet all requirements may partner with a neighbouring municipality to participate in the program.
The intent of the program is to make municipal administration a desirable career choice. It is vital that municipalities interested in hosting an intern provide an excellent work experience so candidates choose to stay in the field when their internship is complete. Equally as important, interns will be expected to receive training in all core functional areas of municipal administration so they may be certified as a Municipal Administrator and employed following completion of the internship.
Participation in this program will require unanimous support of council. A supervising administrator will be expected to dedicate a significant amount of time to ensure interns receive proper training. Supervisors will also be expected to participate in internship program workshops/seminars and accommodate site visits by the pilot program's administrators throughout the course of the placement.
Benefits of being a Host Municipality include:
- An opportunity to promote your municipality and community;
- An opportunity to train and secure a potential successor for your retiring administrator (if applicable);
- An opportunity for your administrator to grow and become a trainer in their field; and
- A chance to be proactive in increasing the attractiveness of careers in municipal administration.
Selection Criteria
Your municipality MUST meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to be considered for a host position:
- 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 intern;
- Accommodate (and pass) site visits;
- Meet training requirements as specified in the program learning guide;
- Follow applicable legislation and regulations according to labour standards, occupational health and safety, and provide a harassment and discrimination free workplace.
In addition, your municipal administrator (intern supervisor) MUST meet the following criteria:
- Must hold Advanced Certificate of Qualification from the Rural Board of Examiners, and have five or more years' experience as a municipal administrator;
- Must be a member in good standing with the Rural Municipal Administrators' Association (RMAA);
- Must have attended or agree to attend the train-the-trainer program;
- Must commit an appropriate amount of time and resources to properly train the intern in all areas of municipal administration; and
- May attend convention and training seminars with intern.
If your municipality does not meet the above criteria, you may join with a neighbouring municipality to participate in the program. Please contact program staff if this is an option you would like to pursue.
Note: Interns will be considered an employee of the municipality and will be subject to all applicable wage deductions. Municipalities must follow applicable legislation and regulations according to labour standards, occupational health and safety, and provide a harassment and discrimination free workplace.
The Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program is a cost-sharing program. It is important that municipalities are aware of their cost commitment for the duration of the internship placement, and of the in-kind commitments associated with training an intern.
Municipalities will be required to hire their intern as an employee for the placement, provide a minimum salary of $36,000 (cost-shared by grant from SARM), and sufficient working conditions. They may also be required to provide resources for their intern to attend the SARM Annual Convention, the RMAA Annual convention, and any applicable training throughout the 52-week placement.
In-kind commitments may include a significant amount of your administrator's time ensuring interns receive proper training, and supervisors may be expected to participate in internship program workshops/seminars. They may also be required to attend conventions with the intern.
Approximate financial commitments are listed below:
Rural MAIP Cost Analysis - Intern Salary at $36,000
- Salary Cost $36,000 + MERC* = $42,360
- Grant from SARM - $20,000
Financial Contribution for Salary $22,360
*MERC is mandatory employer related costs, such as EI, CPP, etc.
Other financial costs may be required throughout the year for training, travel, etc., as indicated above.
How to Apply
To apply to be a host municipality, complete the Host Municipality Application Form, attach supporting documentation, and submit by e-mail, fax or mail at any time to:
Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP)
Attn: Shelley Kilbride
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
E-mail: skilbride@sarm.ca
2075 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK S4P 2E1
Phone: 306.761.3729
Fax: 306.565.2141
You may provide additional information that may increase an intern's interest in your municipality, such as accommodation or recreation information.
Selection Process
Host municipality application packages will be evaluated by a panel consisting of officials from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, SARM and RMAA.
Potential host municipalities will be contacted within four - six weeks of receiving their application for an interview. The interview process will provide an opportunity for the panel to ask officials of your municipality some questions relevant to your application package, and will provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.
The selection panel will make their choices of the successful host municipalities based on your application package and interview.
If your municipality is successfully chosen to participate in the program, we will advise you of suitable intern candidates as they become available. Both the host municipality and the intern will have an opportunity to state their preferences for placements.
While every municipality may not be matched with the intern of their choice, every effort possible will be made to ensure interns are in a suitable location.
More Information
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
- or -
Laurel Feltin
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
E-mail: lfeltin@sarm.ca
Phone: 306.761.3733, Fax: 306.565.2141
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