Nature Initiatives Intern

Job title: Nature Initiatives Intern 

Reports to: Environmental Specialist with supervisory support from Manager of Environment within the Environment and Climate Change Division of Property, Fleet, and Environment 

Job location: 88 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS with potential for field work within HRM and the option to work from home up to three days a week (i.e., hybrid) 

Wage: $25/hour 

Hours: 35 hours per week (15-week internship) 

Start Date: Expected May 20, 2025

Number of Positions: 1 

Equity Hiring:   

Clean is committed to Employment Equity. Our goal is to be inclusive of a diverse workforce that is reflected at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes candidates from diverse equity groups to apply and encourage you to self-identify on our registration form.  

About the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program 

The Clean Leadership Summer Internship program helps grow the clean economy by matching interns (age 15-30) with employers for 9- and 15-week summer work placements. Participating interns will receive paid hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, take part in a professional development conference and training, while supporting local environmental projects. 

Program Requirements 

• Must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, person who has been granted refugee status in Canada or legally entitled to work in Canada;  

• Must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the start of internship; 

• From and/or will be residing in Nova Scotia for the duration of the internship; 

• Must not be an immediate family member of host employer; 

About the host employer 

The Environment and Climate Change division of Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is an innovative, ambitious, collaborative, and welcoming team. Guided by the city’s climate action plan, HalifACT, we are motivated to make meaningful change for the current and future generations that call the Halifax region home. We work following a hybrid model, spending at least two days a week in our beautiful downtown Dartmouth office overlooking Kjipuktuk (the Halifax Harbour).  

Working for the HRM directly impacts our region, our communities, and the people we serve. Our customer-first approach means that we’re always striving to develop innovative and entrepreneurial ways to enhance citizens’ lives. Employing nearly 5,000 people, we’re committed to being an inclusive, collaborative and respectful place to work. 

Summary of position  

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be HRM’s Environment Team within the Environment and Climate Change Division. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for 1) researching naturalization and nature-based solutions policies and programs and 2) assisting with naturalization programming as it relates to invasive species management in a variety of ways ranging from drafting communications to helping with fieldwork.  

The primary goal of this position is to support projects that enhance local biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change impacts. Days will be varied with some focused on desk-based work like literature review, and others spent in the field assisting with invasive species management and naturalization projects alongside other HRM staff and partners. The number of field days required for this position is still to be determined but will likely account for less than 50% of your time.  

The successful candidate needs to have: experience conducting literature reviews and jurisdictional scans; competent writing skills; strong project management abilities; and some understanding of invasive species management and naturalization/ecological restoration techniques and principles. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Assisting with the implementation of Green Shores projects scheduled throughout the 2025 summer season 

• Assisting with planning future Green Shores events 

• Contributing to the development of communications and outreach materials related to HRM’s Invasive Pest Management Strategy 

• Assisting with designing components of a phased a boulevard gardening and lawn naturalization program in HRM 

Requirements/Qualifications 

• An aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work environment; 

• Ability to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback; 

• Demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental or clean sector is considered an asset; 

• Work or academic experience in ecological restoration, naturalization, invasive pest management, environmental science, environmental management, or similar; 

• Experience conducting literature reviews, jurisdictional scans, and/or policy analysis; 

• Understanding of climate adaptation techniques such as nature-based solutions; 

• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills are a must; 

• Familiarity with the Green Shores program is considered an asset; and 

• Experience in landscaping, gardening, or horticulture may be considered an asset. 

Working Conditions
This job is likely to be primarily desk-based at ECC’s Alderney office with the option to work from home a few days a week. However, there are likely to be multiple opportunities for the successful candidate to assist with fieldwork in municipal parks. It is possible that adverse weather conditions like wind and rain may arise during fieldwork, but work will cease if weather conditions are determined to be unsafe. Access to a personal vehicle may be beneficial to accommodate easier access to fieldwork sites but will not be required.  

Physical Requirements
As a partly sedentary position it will be important for the successful candidate to take care of their physical needs during desk-based days. HRM employees enjoy two fifteen-minute breaks and an hour for lunch. Employees are also encouraged to move and stretch throughout the day. If working from home, it is important that the successful candidate has a comfortable place to work. When assisting with fieldwork, there will be some physical demands such as pushing wheelbarrows full of soil, repeatedly standing up and bending down, and digging.