Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is hiring students for the Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program (2027). The program offers 30 to 40 full-time positions in Burlington and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The hourly rate is $17.75 to $28.30, and the application deadline is October 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
The Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program 2027 is aimed at students studying aquatic biology. Depending on the position, work takes place in the field, on the water, in a laboratory, or in an office. The program is part of the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), so applicants also need to meet the FSWEP eligibility criteria.
Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program 2027 job details
The recruiting organization is Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The program is administered from Burlington, Ontario, while more than half of the available positions are located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. During an interview, invited candidates will have an opportunity to choose between the two locations for their base.
All positions are full-time. The listed pay is $17.75 to $28.30 per hour. The advertisement does not give a BS scale, a fixed daily duty schedule, or a separate salary for individual positions. The total number of jobs is listed as 30 to 40.
Who is eligible to apply
The program is for students currently registered in a program of study at a post-secondary institution. Applicants need to have taken or be taking aquatic biology courses. The posting also asks for a curious mind, initiative, teamwork skills, and good communication skills.
English is the listed language requirement. Preference is given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Applicants also need to meet the FSWEP eligibility criteria. The advertisement does not give a separate age limit, age calculation rule, or age relaxation.
Work and duties in the program
Students work with DFO staff to collect, process, and analyze data, provide operational support, and report on fisheries-related operations. Field and laboratory work form a large part of the program, with some office work included as well.
Typical duties include collecting biological samples and information from candidate lakes and rivers. Students also sample water, sediment, benthic invertebrates, zooplankton, freshwater mussels, and fish.
Other work involves assessing the chemical, physical, and biological nature of Great Lakes tributaries for sea lamprey management. Students also collect habitat and species information used to assess Federal Species at Risk and Aquatic Invasive Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
Training and experience
Students receive exposure to aquatic biology and science work within the Federal Government. Training listed in the advertisement includes safety training, boating, driving all-terrain vehicles, trailering, first aid, and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
The program also provides students with opportunities to build a network of peers and mentors within the Aquatic Biology community and the public service. Field assignments involve outdoor work and research activities, so applicants should read the working conditions carefully before applying.
Contract dates and working conditions
The Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program 2027 runs full-time from April 26, 2027 to September 3, 2027. The posting says there is limited flexibility with contract dates, especially the start date, because new student contracts have an extensive mandatory training schedule and field research activities follow the summer season.
Field work involves possible adverse weather conditions and extended travel for research projects. Some students also work shifts or extended hours. The advertisement states these hours receive compensation.
Medical, security, and travel requirements
Before hiring, selected applicants must complete and meet the standards of a Health Canada medical exam coordinated by DFO. The exam includes a hearing test, physical examination, electrocardiogram, and colour-vision examination.
A government-issued reliability security clearance is also required. Students need to be willing and able to travel to and work in the United States. Some positions therefore require a U.S. work visa.
At the interview stage, candidates must provide a valid driver’s licence with a minimum Ontario G2 level or an equivalent licence from another jurisdiction. A Pleasure Craft Operators Card is also required as a valid document at interview.
Travel, relocation, and living costs
Students working in an office or laboratory are responsible for their own relocation and living costs. Field assignments work differently. Most student positions involve substantial field work, with travel and stays in hotels, motels, or other lodging arranged and paid for by DFO.
Meal expenses during these field assignments are also paid by DFO. The posting does not give a separate travel allowance or TA/DA figure.
Application information
Applications for the Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program 2027 are submitted through the Student Recruitment System using the “Apply now” option on the official job posting. The closing date is October 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. No application fee is stated in the advertisement, and no application start date is provided.
For questions about the program, applicants are directed to DFO.OPStudent-EtudiantOP.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Students previously employed under this program do not need to submit a new application. Instead, they are asked to contact the same email address if they want consideration for current job opportunities.
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Equity and accommodation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada states its selection process is inclusive and barrier-free. Applicants who belong to an Employment Equity group are encouraged to self-declare because preference is given to candidates in these groups.
Accommodation measures are available during any stage of the selection process. Requests may include accessible environments, different formats, larger fonts, adaptive technology, extra time, or individual testing. Accommodation information provided by applicants is kept confidential.
Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program 2027 deadline
The final date to apply is October 28, 2026. Anyone interested in the Great Lakes Area Summer Fisheries Student Program 2027 should review the full official posting and FSWEP eligibility criteria before submitting an application. The advertisement does not state a height requirement, chest measurement, running distance, physical endurance test, criminal record disclosure, family claim rule, or test centre selection requirement.
For applicants studying aquatic biology, the posting describes student work involving field research, laboratory activities, data collection, fisheries operations, and aquatic species work. Read all conditions carefully and submit the application through the official Student Recruitment System before the stated deadline.
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