Coastal Research Technician

Job title: Coastal Research Technician

Reports to: Coastal Research Lab Manager (Leah Rudderham), In_CoaST Lab

Job location: Saint Mary’s University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax NS. B3H 3C3

Wage: $18.20 / 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 

TransCoastal Adaptations Centre for Nature-Based Solutions (TCA) is located at Saint Mary’s University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our mission is to help build climate resilient coastal communities and ecosystems by protecting, enhancing, and restoring natural processes through innovative research and collaboration; implementing nature-based adaptation and natural infrastructure solutions. We are a transdisciplinary team and work to understand the ecological, political, and social elements of coastlines and how to successfully restore these unique landscapes.

Summary of position  

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Saint Marys University. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for both field and laboratory duties with TCA’s In_CoaST lab. This includes following sampling and monitoring protocols, aiding with the installation of scientific equipment in tidal systems, supporting graduate students with their data collection in coastal environments, collecting sediment samples, conducting vegetation samples, and processing samples in the lab. The successful candidate needs to have an appreciation for healthy ecosystems, an eagerness to work outside in a variety of conditions and be detail-oriented.

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Following protocols to conduct a variety of coastal fieldwork (collection of samples, vegetation surveys, using GNSS survey equipment, planting marsh vegetation);

• Acting as a research assistant for graduate students who need support with data collection, organization and analysis;

• Aiding with deployments of hydrodynamic equipment;

• Writing field reports, uploading and organizing field and lab data;

• Assisting with lab operation, including processing of sediment and water samples;

• Helping to maintain a safe and organized working space;

• Attending and participating in weekly team meetings and presentations;

• Contribute to communication efforts (e.g. developing a social media post, presenting to staff and students at ‘lesson of the week’, writing a newsletter piece); and

• Other duties as needed.

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;

• Student in Geography, Environmental Science/Studies/Management, Marine Management, or another related field;

• Occasional flexibility to work outside normal office hours, including evenings and weekends, and occasional overnight stays and a week-long field trip to Shippagan, NB;

• Proven ability to problem solve and to take initiative to complete tasks;

• Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures and safe work practices;

• Must be adaptable to a changing work environment;

• Capable of learning new skills; particularly in data analysis and field methods;

• Ability to troubleshoot unexpected problems and develop innovative solutions;

• Capable of thinking analytically;

• Must be highly motivated, independent and hard-working;

• Demonstrated ability to work with a multi-disciplinary research team;

• Knowledge of terrestrial/marine environment, vegetation and wildlife characteristics of Nova Scotia’s coastal habitats, considered an asset; and
• Experience using a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Office and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), considered an asset.

Working Condition

Work will occur outdoors in a variety of conditions, which could include cold or hot temperatures, rain, wind, and other inclement weather, very muddy environments, and intertidal zones.

Physical Requirements
Must be able to undertake strenuous activities, work long hours in the field, navigate difficult terrain, must be comfortable working in/near mud and water, and must be able to carry ~50lbs.