Science Interpreter 

Job Description – Clean Leadership 2026 Program

Job title:  Science Interpreter

Reports to: Animal Curator and Executive Director

Job location: 140 Alderney Dr, Dartmouth

Wage: $17.00 / hour

Hours: 35 hours per week (9-week internship)

Start Date: Expected June 25, 2026

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

The Back to the Sea Centre is a charity that sparks curiosity for local marine life and inspires people to protect our ocean. We are a small-scale marine interpretive centre located in Dartmouth (Punamu’kwati’jk), guided by a collect-hold-and-release philosophy. We are looking for an enthusiastic, curious, and knowledgeable individual with a strong interest in ocean conservation to join our team and help move our mission forward.

Summary of position 

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Back to the Sea Centre. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for leading a variety of educational initiatives and programs themed around the ocean and the animals that inhabit it. While these will mainly take place at the Back to the Sea Centre, you will also participate in external outreach events. The successful candidate needs to have previous experience leading programs for children (for example day camps, coaching a sports team, etc.). Knowledge of local intertidal species and spoken French are an asset. Candidate must be comfortable handling live marine invertebrates and capable of having their hands submerged in water that contains shellfish.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Deliver scientific interpretive programs for a wide range of audiences at the Back to the Sea Centre, including the general public, youth groups and persons with disabilities

• Assist in the leading of Tidal Trekkers programs – an interactive beach exploration – including the proper handling of animals. This will involve speaking to a large crowd of people.

• Welcome visitors, provide necessary information and maintain a high level of guest satisfaction through energetic interactions

• Lead and participate in the evaluation and improvement of group programs (e.g. daycares and day camps)

• Communicate animal handling protocols to guests

• Maintain appearance of building, information panels, hand-washing station, props and materials

• Assist with aquaristing and animal husbandry tasks

• Perform duties associated with opening and closing the Back to the Sea Centre

• Assist with the admissions process and gift shop sales

• Contribute to social media posts when necessary

• Attend and deliver high quality science interpretation at portable touch tank events

• Act as a Back to the Sea ambassador and help at our Centre’s fundraising events

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;

• Creative, assertive, flexible and proactive in problem solving

• At least one season of interpreter/informal educator experience (e.g. camp counselor, museum interpreter, coach for children’s sports)

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills needed to converse with visitors and other organizations, however English does not need to be your first language

• The following are considered assets:

• • Spoken French

• • Knowledge of local intertidal and subtidal Atlantic marine life

• • Standard First Aid training

• Will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check

Working Conditions 
Back to the Sea abides by a “Fun yet Professional” work culture and we love to celebrate wins! Candidate must be available to work weekends, holidays and occasional evenings. While the schedule may vary, you can expect a Wednesday to Sunday schedule, with at minimum one weekend off in the summer (more will be given if possible).

Physical Requirements 
This position requires standing for extended periods, having your hands in cold salt water on a daily basis and involves the lifting of heavy water buckets. It may also require walking along coastlines that may be somewhat rugged. The Back to the Sea Centre is wheelchair accessible. Should the chosen candidate have any disability that makes the standard nature of this position not possible, we will work with them to ensure that this position is accessible to them. Candidate must be comfortable handling live marine animals and capable of having their hands submerged in water containing shellfish.