Coastal & Marine Field Technician

 Job title:  Coastal & Marine Field Technician

Reports to: Coastal & Marine Program Manager and Project Coordinator, Coastal Action

Job location: Office- 45 School Street, Mahone Bay, NS; Field Work- between Sambro and Yarmouth

Wage: $18-20 / 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 host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation.

Summary of position

In this position, you will be mainly responsible for working closely with the Coastal & Marine Team and the Litter Programs Coordinator and mainly responsible for supporting cleanups on island shorelines and occasionally highways, assisting with data collection and database entry, materials sorting, and recycling initiatives to divert end-of-life waste. You will also assist with litter programming through promotional events, social media campaigns, learning sessions, and strategic planning.  The successful candidate needs to have strong organizational and time management skills, be self-motivated, able to problem solve, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively. They must demonstrate attention to detail, particularly in data collection and entry, and have a commitment to safe work practices. Flexibility is essential, including the ability to adapt to a changing schedule, flexible to be away for field work throughout the summer, and travel throughout Southwestern Nova Scotia. The candidate must be able to perform tasks in various weather conditions and environments , including on boats. As well as possess a Nova Scotia driver’s license or equivalent and reliable access to a vehicle. We highly value a positive attitude and eagerness to learn.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supporting cleanups (Ghost Gear and highway), sorting and disposal

• Participate in island shoreline ghost gear retrieval operations, including lifting/dragging lobster traps, entangled rope snarls, marine buoys and other marine related waste.

• Assist with highway cleanups, including retrieving general waste and reporting illegal dumping.

• Organize and prepare gear and filed plans for remote cleanup operations.

• Assist with material sorting and categorization for recycling or disposal, emphasizing waste diversion.

Data Collection and Administrative support

• Record detailed field observations, including cleanup locations, material types, and conditions.
• Enter data into official and internal reporting systems, adhering to established protocols.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the Coastal & Marine and Environmental Education team to achieve project goals.
• Provide support for other Coastal Action projects.

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;

• Prior experience in fieldwork or a demonstrated ability to work effectively in outdoor environments is preferred.

• Ability to lift and carry equipment or materials up to 25kg alone or heavier with help repeatedly throughout the day.

• Flexibility to work irregular hours and weekends when required for the position.

• Proficiency with data entry, and use of Microsoft office programs.

• A valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle

• Standard First Aid + CPR Level A certification are required prior to fieldwork commencement.

Working Conditions

• Working outdoors in varying weather conditions and on varying terrain types, sand/boulders/gravel.

• Working in remote locations usually without running water and sometimes with limited reception.

• Working away from home for a day up to a week, in shared accommodation with other staff.

• Ability to be on a boat for transportation to islands for clean-ups (up to 1.5hr duration)
• Engaging with the public at marinas during surveys, outreach events and workshops

Physical Requirements

• Repeatedly lift/carry/drag heavy (25 kg) objects.

• Ability to traverse varying terrain types

• Ability to be on a boat for transportation to island locations