Through an intern program, the Village of Burns Lake is encouraging university graduates to become involved in municipal government.
Jessie Singer recently started a nine month position with the Village of Burns Lake as the Corporate and Development Services Intern.
Singer, who is originally from Victoria, is set to graduate from the University of British Columbia in November 2012 with a masters degree in planning, in addition to a bachelor of arts degree in international development studies and politics from Queens University.
Sheryl Worthing, Village of Burns Lake chief administrative officer said that so far the village's program has already had two successful interns pass through.
"We are very happy to welcome Jessie to Burns Lake and we will draw on her skills and knowledge to help achieve the municipal goals that have been set by council," Worthing said.
"We have an exciting year of projects ahead of us and Jessie is ready to assist."
Funding for the intern position comes from the Village's budget, as well as from a contribution from the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako and the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Singer said she is eager to enter the workforce and gain practical experience.
She has previous experience in working on sustainability and climate change adaptation projects and has spent time in Kenya completing community and economic development work, which Worthing says will help assist her as she moves through the world of municipal governance.
Singer will be working closely with Worthing, as well as Stephanie Beerling, the village’s director of corporate Services and Jeff Ragsdale the village's development services coordinator to assist with project development and implementation.
She will be searching for funding opportunities to contribute to major projects and will be conducting research to develop new and more efficient village procedures.
Northern Development Initiative Trust worked with the Village of Burns Lake to coordinate the hiring for the intern program.
Two Northern municipalities, as well as Northern Development Initiative Trust were in search of recent graduates to complete six to nine month terms focused on municipal governance and economic development in the North.