New Graduate Research Assistant

Job title: New Graduate Research Assistant

Reports to: Anna Jessop, Project Manager, Sustainability in the Facilities and Engineering Department

Job location: NSCC Facilities & Engineering, 800A Windmill Rd, Ste 7B, Dartmouth, NS  B3B 1L1

Wage: $20.00 / 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 

We are Nova Scotia Community College. Our mission is to help “Build Nova Scotia’s economy and quality of life through education and innovation.” We offer more than 130 advanced skill programs in five academic schools, serving the whole province through a network of 13 campuses. Fully 86% of our graduates are employed, most in their field of study; close to 90% have chosen to live and work in Nova Scotia. 

NSCC is a modern comprehensive community college that has established itself as Canada’s Portfolio College. This unique foundation is the base from which NSCC delivers educational opportunities that are responsive, value-based and keenly honed to the skills graduates need to enter the workplace. 

The Facilities and Engineering department’s main office is located in Darthmouth, NS, specifically in Burnside. It is a smaller office comprised of approximately 20 employees. We are responsible for new construction projects, building operations and maintenance, and sustainability initiatives across all NSCC campuses. 

The New Graduate Research Assistant’s work relates to the improvement of the sustainability performance of the College. This work, in turn, supports a healthy and inviting learning and working environment. The enhancement and maintenance of the College’s sustainability agenda supports the philosophy of utilizing our campuses as a living lab and leading by example for the benefit of our learners. 

Summary of position  

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Nova Scotia Community College. 

In this position, you will be mainly responsible for the Bottled Beverage Impact assessment. The primary goals of the NSCC Bottles Beverage Impact Assessment project are to evaluate the environmental impact of bottled beverages sold on NSCC campuses and to explore the feasibility of eliminating bottled water sales. The project aims to quantify the volume of bottled water sold, assess the environmental and financial implications of a potential ban, and understand the behavioural changes that may arise from such a decision. Additionally, it seeks to propose alternative solutions that align with NSCC’s sustainability objectives.  

As a New Graduate Research Associate, your day would involve a mix of research and collaboration. You’d start by reviewing the literature on bottled beverages’ environmental impacts and then conduct interviews with representatives from other institutions. In the afternoon, you would analyze the financial implications of eliminating bottled water sales and brainstorm sustainability strategies with the sustainability team. Finally, you would compile your findings into a report to help NSCC make informed decisions about bottled beverage sales. 

The successful candidate needs to have:   

• Research Skills: Ability to conduct thorough literature reviews and synthesize findings related to environmental impacts and sustainability practices. 

• Analytical Skills: Competency in assessing financial implications and evaluating the environmental consequences of bottled beverage sales. 

• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills for conducting interviews and compiling comprehensive reports.  

• Collaboration Skills: Ability to work effectively with the existing sustainability team and engage with external institutions. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Conduct comprehensive literature review:

• • Research and compile relevant studies and reports on the environmental impacts of bottled beverages, focusing on sustainability practices at post-secondary institutions.

• • Analyze existing data to understand trends and outcomes related to the sale of bottled beverages.

• Engage in stakeholder interviews:

• • Identify and reach out to representatives from other institutions that have successfully implemented bottled beverage bans or similar sustainability initiatives.

• • Conduct interviews to gather qualitative data on their experiences, challenges faced, and the outcomes of their initiatives.

• Assessment of financial implications:

• • Evaluate the financial consequences of eliminating bottled water sales, including cost analysis related to both potential losses and savings.

• • Collaborate with the NSCC financial team to incorporate insights into the overall assessment.

• Evaluate behavioral implications:

• • Research and analyze behavioral changes that may arise from the implementation of a bottled beverage ban, particularly the shift in consumption patterns towards high-sugar drinks.

• • Integrate findings into recommendations to ensure that any proposed solutions consider potential unintended consequences.

• Develop alternative pathways:

• • Propose sustainable alternatives to bottled beverages that align with NSCC’s sustainability goals, taking into account stakeholder feedback and environmental best practices.

• • Outline practical steps for implementation alongside projected outcomes.

• Compile comprehensive reports:

• • Prepare a final report detailing the research findings, analyses, and recommendations, ensuring clarity and accessibility for a broad audience.

• • Report to the Manager of Infrastructure and Sustainability, incorporating feedback and ensuring alignment with NSCC’s mission and sustainability objectives.

• Collaboration with Sustainability Team:

• • Work alongside the existing sustainability team to ensure efforts are cohesive and goals are aligned.

• • Attend and contribute to team meetings, providing updates on research progress and integrating collaborative feedback into the project.

• Ongoing Communication:

• • Maintain communication with the NSCC sustainability team and the Manager of Infrastructure and Sustainability throughout the project, providing regular updates on progress and any emerging findings.

• Presentation of Findings:

• • Present findings and recommendations to the NSCC community, highlighting the impact of bottled beverage sales and the potential benefits of proposed changes.

Requirements/Qualifications 

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

• Be able 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;

• Minimum/ necessary qualifications:

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or pursuing a post-secondary equivalent degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Research and analytical skills

• Communication skills

• Proficiency in using Microsoft 365

• Collaboration Skills

• Time Management