Hemlock Conservation Project Intern

Job title: Hemlock Conservation Project Intern

Reports to: Hemlock Conservation Project Coordinator, Recreation Department

Job location: Bridgewater Town Hall – 60 Pleasant St, Bridgewater, NS

Wage: $20.00 /hour

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

Start Date: Expected May 11, 2026

Number of Positions: 1

Employment Hiring

Clean is committed to Employment Equity and our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes applications from qualified self-identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Racialized Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged 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

Bridgewater is a thriving town of more than 8,700 people, nestled in the heart of the historical LaHave River Valley. Known as the “Main Street of the South Shore,” Bridgewater offers numerous services and industries to its citizens and the Lunenburg County region. Good planning is essential to the town’s long-term health and sustainability as the community continues to develop and grow. Over the past decade, the Town of Bridgewater has emerged as an international leader in sustainability and energy transition planning and programming.

The Town of Bridgewater is committed to offering equal employment opportunities based on qualifications and performance, and free from discrimination because of age, race or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, family status, gender identity, or other protected characteristics, in accordance with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Code.

This position is based at Bridgewater Town Hall (60 Pleasant St, Bridgewater).

Summary of position

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Town of Bridgewater. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for implementing a targeted treatment of hemlock trees threatened by an invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) infestation in the Town of Bridgewater’s parks and trails alongside other Community Development Department staff.

The successful candidate needs to be a student pursuing a diploma, degree, or certificate in a related field and have a valid class 5 driver’s license.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilize ArcGIS layers and Survey 123 to navigate and collect field data
• Conduct pre-assessment field work, identifying and recording hemlock composition, health, and hemlock woolly adelgid presence.
• Determine treatment areas within eligible stands, marking and setting up plots for assessment and treatment planning.
• Measure hemlock DBH to evaluate size and health.
• Mark identified trees for targeted intervention following established protocols.
• Deliver chemical treatments following safe practices, pesticide label instructions, and regulatory requirements, and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Operate as a member of a highly trained crew following the Strike Team model approach.
• Maintain accurate records of tree assessments, measurements, and interventions.
• Adhere to safety protocols during fieldwork to ensure team well-being and project success.
• Participate in training sessions related to hemlock conservation and HWA control measures.

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;
• Basic understanding of environmental management practices and principles.
• Ability to lift and walk with up to 15 L of diluted pesticides.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Familiarity with research, data collection, and analysis techniques.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS and Survey 123 software.
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Judgement, tact, discretion
• Honesty and integrity
• Responsibility and accountability

Working Conditions
This job requires working with the public and working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

Physical Requirements
This job involves physical work.