Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program

Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program (2027)

Federal Student Work Experience Program

Do you want to work outside, on the water or in a lab? Do you want to use your aquatic biology skills to make a difference? Come work for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)! You will gain valuable experience towards your career while providing a much-needed service to Canadians.

This experience with DFO will provide you with:

exposure to how aquatic biology and science is conducted in the Federal Government

diversified on‑job training including safety training, boating, driving all‑terrain vehicles, trailering, first aid and Cardio‑Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

a network of peers and mentors within the Aquatic Biology community and the public service

Students work in teams with DFO staff to collect, process and analyze data, provide operational support, and report on fisheries related operations. Generally, students are engaged in field and lab work, but may also do office work.

collecting biological samples/information from candidate lakes and rivers

sampling water, sediment, benthic invertebrates, zooplankton, freshwater mussels, and fishes

assessing the chemical, physical and biological nature of Great Lakes tributaries for sea lamprey management

collecting habitat and species information to assess the status of Federal Species at Risk and of Aquatic Invasive Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)

Note 1:
While working in the field, you may encounter adverse weather conditions and travel for extended periods of time to complete the research project. You may also end up working shift work or extended hours, both of which receive compensation.

Full-time from April 26, 2027 to September 3, 2027

Note 2:
There is limited flexibility in contract dates, especially for the start date, due to the extensive mandatory training schedule at the beginning of all new student contracts, and the schedule of field research activities through summer season.

Students who are currently registered in a program of study at a post‑secondary institution who have taken or will be taking aquatic biology courses.

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Note 3:
This program is administered from Burlington, Ontario. However, more than half of the positions are located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. If you are invited to an interview, you will have the opportunity to choose between being based out of Sault Ste. Marie or Burlington.

Conditions of employment are requirements that must be met or complied with before being hired to a particular position and must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.

Complete and meet the standards of a Health Canada Medical exam(will be coordinated by DFO) which includes a:

• hearing test
• physical examination
• electrocardiogram

Obtain a government‑issued reliability security clearance

Be willing and able to travel to, and work in, the United States; therefore, some positions may require a U.S. work visa.

a valid driver’s licence, minimum Ontario G2 or equivalent from other jurisdictions

You must cover your own relocation and living costs when working in the office or laboratory.

Travel:
Most of the student positions require large amounts of field work, which involves travel and living in hotels/motels/other lodgings arranged and paid for by DFO.Meal expenses are also paid by DFO.

DFO is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that represents the Canadian population we serve. We encourage you to self‑declare if you belong to an Employment Equity group as preference may be given to candidates in these groups.

Tell us what you need. Examples include accessible environments, different formats, larger fonts, adaptive technology, extra time, individual testing, and more. Any information you provide regarding accommodation will be kept confidential.

Accommodation measures are designed to remove barriers to a fair assessment and allow candidates to fully demonstrate their competencies.