Coastal Sediment Technician

Job title: Coastal Sediment Technician

Reports to: Coastal Research Lab Manager (Leah Rudderham) and Coastal Carbon Research Associate (Evan Rundle), TransCoastal Adaptations Centre for Nature Based Solutions

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

This position is designated and limited to applicants from the following groups:   

• Indigenous People (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit)

 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 Mary’s University. In this position, you will be responsible for supporting field work led by TCA’s Coastal Carbon Research Associate, learning how to operate a particle size analyzer (coulter counter multisizer 4e), and conducting sediment analysis within the In Coast lab. The successful candidate needs to have a willingness to learn new skills and follow strict standard operating procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Assisting with lab operations to achieve overall project goals; including processing sediment samples for grain size analysis with a Multisizer Coulter Counter 4d and processing sediment samples for bulk density and organic matter;

• Assist in executing field expeditions for environmental data collection;

• Assist with the care and operation of a Gasmet green house gas analyzer in coastal wetlands;

• Adhere to safety protocols and guidelines during fieldwork;

• Attending and participating in weekly team meetings and presentations;

• Assisting with education and public outreach activities;

• Writing field reports;

• Uploading and organizing data;

• 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;

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

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

• 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;

• Familiarity working with scientific laboratory and field equipment, considered an asset; and
• Experience using a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Office and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), considered an asset.

Working Conditions

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.