Inshore Rescue Boat - Student Work Program

Inshore Rescue Boat - Student Work Program

Training in search and rescue operations; Rewarding real-world experience in delivering on-water search and rescue; Experience participating in joint rescue taskings with multiple local agencies; Opportunities for professional growth and leadership roles; Development of professional networks with other students; Access to many exciting and rewarding career opportunities with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).

What you will do:

Search and Rescue operations can occur at any time of the day or night, during all types of weather and sea conditions. As part of a crew, participants have the serious responsibility of responding to mariners in distress or need of assistance, including but not limited to:

• Vessels that are on fire, disabled, aground, capsized, broken down, lost in the fog, taking on water;
• Persons overboard;

At minimum, each IRB crew consists of one (1) Coxswain and two (2) crew members.

When will you work?

• Summer contract period will range from the end of April 2025 to early September 2025 (may vary by location and operational needs);
• Crews operate on a rotating schedule of 14 consecutive days of work followed by 14 days of rest. During your 14 days of work, you will live and work with your crew. Regional differences may apply;
• Lodging and a shared meal budget will be provided during your scheduled work periods. The Canadian Coast Guard does not provide lodging or meals during off-duty periods;
• Additional training may be scheduled from time to time during the rest periods.

Where will you work?

The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat Service operates 25 stations across Canada. To learn more about station locations please visit the Inshore Rescue Boat Station Locations page.

You will work at one of the following stations:

Atlantic Region Stations (Dartmouth and St John’s)

• Newfoundland & Labrador (NL): the stations are located in Conception Bay South, Terra Nova National Park, and Lewisporte.
• Maritimes: the stations are located in Shediac (NB), Charlottetown (PE), Pictou (NS), Saint John (NB), Mahone Bay (NS), and Halifax (NS).

Central Region Stations (Quebec and Sarnia)

• St. Lawrence (QC): the stations are located in St-Zotique, Vaudreuil, Beaconsfield, Longueuil, Sorel, and Trois-Rivières.
• Great Lakes (ON): the stations are located on Gereaux Island (Britt Station), on Brebeuf Island, in Port Lambton, St. Williams (Long Point Station), Lansdowne (Hill Island Station), and on Lake St. Clair (Thames River Station).

Western Region Stations (Victoria)

• Victoria (BC): the stations are located in Nootka Sound, Sointula, Cortes Bay and Kelsey Bay.

Apply Early! Deadline to apply is December 30, 2024

• If you do not hear from us by February 2025, you will not be considered for summer 2025 positions; we encourage you to re-apply next year if you still meet the eligibility requirements.
• A pool of qualified candidates will be established from this selection process but not all applicants will be hired.
• Successful candidates may be considered for spring/summer employment the following year.

Number of Full-time positions available: 100 Crew Members and 42 Coxswains

• Are reliable, calm, and able to make safe and sound decisions in a high stress environment;
• Are hardworking and motivated people who are ready to work in difficult conditions;
• Are fluent in French to work in Quebec and fluent in English to work in all other regions;
• Have general knowledge of marine safety.
• At the time of your application, you’re registered as a full-time student in a secondary or post-secondary accredited academic institution
  • This includes persons with disabilities considered to have full-time status by their academic institution, and participants in adult secondary-level education and retraining programs under the authority of an accredited academic institution.
• You meet the minimum age requirement in the province or territory of work.
• You’ll return to full-time studies in the next academic term, i.e. for the Fall 2025 session.

Notes:

• Proof of full-time post-secondary education will be requested throughout the hiring process.
• Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents over non‑Canadian students who are eligible to work in Canada. See the Directive on Student Employment for more information on the Government of Canada’s requirements for student employment.
• All information collected during the selection process, including behavior and communication, from the time of application to the end of the process, may be used to assess candidates and make hiring decisions.

Conditions of employment:

As part of the selection process, you must meet the following conditions to be considered:

• Hold a valid Standard First Aid certification with CPR-C/AED certification;
• Obtain Restricted Radio Operator Certificate – Maritime (ROC-M ) with VHF Digital Selective Call (DSC) no later than March 14, 2025;
• Hold a valid, unrestricted driver’s license* that allows you to drive a motor vehicle in Canada.

*NOTE: A valid driver’s licence is a full driver’s licence. This does NOT include a driver’s licence with restrictions as part of any provincial graduated licencing. You will be asked to present an original, unrestricted driver’s licence.

If you are considered for the job, you must meet the following requirements (Canadian Coast Guard will coordinate the administrative procedures):

• Pass the online National Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) marine knowledge exam and interview;
• Obtain a government-issued reliability security clearance;
• Complete and meet the standards of a Health Canada Medical exam which includes a:
  • Hearing test;
  • Physical examination;
  • Colour-vision examination;
• Successfully complete the 16-day paid training course on water and in the classroom, including written and practical examinations, that certifies candidates in:
  • Marine Emergency Duties (MED);
  • Marine Advanced First Aid (MAFA);
  • Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) training;
• Work full-time hours and various shifts, including weekends and holidays;
• Work overtime as required;
• Wear and maintain the provided CCG uniform to CCG uniform standards;
• Use and maintain all personal protective equipment when in the operational field as per CCG policies and directives;
• Adhere to the IRB Operational Standing Orders and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Students are compensated during training. Information about lodging during training will be provided by regional Coast Guard staff. No employment is granted until all parts of the training have been completed.
• Upon successful completion of the training, members will be deployed to an Inshore Rescue Boat station in their identified region(s) of choice. Assignment to a station is determined by a regional IRB Coordinator. Some stations are remote and offer very few urban amenities.

Apply Early! Deadline to apply is December 30, 2024