Environment and Climate Change Youth Council Volunteer Recruitment Campaign

Environment and Climate Change Canada
Across Canada
Volunteer Position

⏩Canada’s Youth Policy

For more information, please visit Environment and Climate Change Canada Youth Council

Closing date: 26 April 2024 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Who can apply: Canadian citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 29 on October 1, 2024.

For the purpose of this process, please note that employees of the federal public service are not eligible to apply, with the exception of participants in a student employment program.

Important messages

*Please note that when you apply online, the work location option contains a formatting error. Please check the Outside Canada option to submit your application. However, work locations will be Across Canada as mentioned above.*

Are you passionate about protecting and conserving our environment and taking climate action? We are looking for environmental leaders like you to help shape our future! If you’re a young person in Canada between the ages of 18 and 29, apply now!

Applications are open for the next cohort of the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council (ECCYC). Up to twelve candidates will be appointed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change as members of the Council for two years to provide non-partisan advice to the Minister and senior officials at Environment and Climate Change Canada to help shape environment and climate policies. Members may also be given the opportunity to represent the Council at relevant domestic or international events.

ECCC is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for youth voices to be heard and respected, in alignment with ⏩Canada’s Youth Policy. We’re also committed to providing professional development opportunities and connecting youth with a diverse and intergenerational network, while addressing barriers to participation and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Application process

To be considered for membership in the ECCYC, your application must show that:
► You have knowledge of environmental and/or climate change issues in Canada or your community.
► You are actively involved (or have recently been involved) in the activities of a not-for-profit, Indigenous, or local *organization based in Canada.
► You can work effectively as part of a group or team.
► You can manage your time effectively
► You are skilled at problem-solving.
► You have strong interpersonal skills.
► You have effective communication skills
►You have demonstrated leadership skills.
► You are fluent in either English or French.

Note: There is no formal education requirement for this opportunity.

The selection process has 3 steps:

Step 1: Online Profile
Create your online profile before the closing date of April 26, 2024. Submit your résumé in plain text, with no formatting. All mandatory questions must be completed. You should plan to spend approximately one hour preparing your online profile.

Step 2: VidCruiter Online Application Process- Written Questions, Pre-Recorded Interview
Shortly after the end of the submission period, you will receive an email with instructions to complete the VidCruiter application. VidCruiter is an interviewing and recruiting platform.

You will be required to answer written questions about your experience, including examples of teamwork, leadership skills, experience working or volunteering with a not-for-profit, Indigenous, or local *organization based in Canada; knowledge of climate-related issues; time management and problem-solving skills.

You will also be required to record a video to answer interview questions that demonstrate your communication skills, interpersonal abilities, and commitment to climate action and environmental protection.

Step 3: References and Security Checks
Following Step 2, a short-list of candidates will be created. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit 2 references and security checks will be completed.

We will only accept applications submitted via the outlined platforms above. If you encounter any technical issues, please contact eccyouthcouncil-conseildesjeunesecc@ec.gc.ca.

*An organization is defined as:
✔ Not-for-profit organizations, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations.
✔ Indigenous organizations, governments, boards, commissions, communities, associations, and authorities.
✔ Local organizations such as community associations and groups, youth groups, and service clubs.

Duties

As members of the ECCYC, successful candidates will:

► Meet virtually at least once every three months, with the potential for one in-person meeting during the two-year term. Additional meetings, including administrative and governance meetings, may also be scheduled periodically.
► Provide non-partisan advice to the Minister and ECCC officials as part of advisory meetings on select environmental or climate change topics.
►Contribute to the drafting and finalization of the Council’s end-of-term report.
► Respect the different values and perspectives shared by their peers.
► Dedicate an average of 5 hours per month to Council duties. Occasionally, participating in optional opportunities may exceed this timeframe.

Positions to be filled: 12

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

►Knowledge of environmental and climate change issues in Canada or your community
►Experience:
• Experience working or volunteering with a not-for-profit, Indigenous, or local *organization based in Canada.
• Experience that demonstrates strong teamwork abilities.
• Experience that demonstrates effective time management skills.
• Experience that demonstrates problem solving.
• Experience that demonstrates strong interpersonal skills.
► Demonstrated commitment to climate action and environmental protection.
► Effective verbal and written communication skills.

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

Selection may prioritize candidates that reflect the diversity of young people in Canada with respect to regional representation; Indigenous identity; gender identity; linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity; and all abilities and life experiences. Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to creating a skilled and diverse Youth Council that reflects the diversity of youth in Canada.

Young people from every region, background and lived experience are invited to apply.

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

To be eligible for the ECCYC, candidates must be able to commit to a two-year term, be between the ages of 18-29 on October 1, 2024, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and not be an employee of the federal public service. Selected candidates must pass a security screening and sign ECCYC’s Terms of Reference and a Volunteer Agreement with ECCC.

Other information

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

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page/how-to-request-assessment-accommodation.html

** PLEASE NOTE due to the high volume of applications, acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent and inquiries related to the status of assessments will not be answered. The selection committee will contact successful applicants directly.

We will accept applications submitted via the method outlined above only. If you have little or no internet access, experience other barriers to using the platform or require an accommodation for special needs, please contact us before the closing date. Accommodations requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The information you have provided in your response to the screening questions may be used at the reference stage of the assessment to validate your experience.

If you do not fully complete the screening questions as instructed, you may be screened out.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

PRIVACY NOTICE
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is the lead federal department for matters relating to the environment and the conservation of Canada’s natural heritage. In keeping with its mandate, ECCC is establishing a Youth Council to support environmental policies and programming.

In order to apply for a position with the ECCYC and to serve as a Council member, ECCC must collect information about individuals who apply to the Council. This information is used to determine an individual’s eligibility for a Council position, and more generally to manage and administer the Council’s affairs.

Personal information collected as part of the application process is collected in accordance with the Government of Canada’s Policy Framework for People Management, and in keeping with the authorities delegated to ECCC under the Financial Administration Act. Personal information collected in relation to appointments to the ECCYC and its management and administration is collected under the authority of the Department of the Environment Act.

Personal information will only be used and disclosed by ECCC in support of the ECCYC, or as provided by law. This includes the use of personal information for research, program evaluation and policy purposes. Personal information collected in relation to the application and appointment process will be retained for a minimum of two years (in accordance with the Privacy Act) and for up to three years following the close of nominations.

Failure to provide personal information requested may preclude an individual’s application from being processed. It may also impact an individual’s appointment to the Council.

Under the Privacy Act, an individual has the right to access and correct their personal information. Individuals also have the right to file a complaint against ECCC in relation to its handling of personal information. Complaints can be filed with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/report-a-concern/file-a-formal-privacy-complaint/file-a-complaint-about-a-federal-institution/).

For more information about ECCC’s privacy practices in relation to the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council, please refer to the Standard Personal Information Bank for Members of Boards, Committees and Councils in Info Source (PIB PSU 919: /https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy/access-information/information-about-programs-information-holdings/standard-personal-information-banks.html#psu91).

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Contact information