Municipal Naturalization Intern 

Job title: Municipal Naturalization Intern 

Reports to: Park Naturalization Coordinator with support from Manager of Environment within the Environment and Climate Change division of Property, Fleet & Environment, HRM

Job location: 88 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS with potential for field work within HRM and the option to work from home up to three days a week (i.e., hybrid)

Wage: $25.00 / hour

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

Start Date: Expected May 11, 2026 

Number of positions: 1

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

• Black, African Canadian, or people of African Descent

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 

Over the past several years, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)’s Parks Department has established a growing Naturalization Program that seeks to reintroduce biodiversity to municipal parkland. The Naturalization Program is a collaborative effort between multiple municipal departments including significant support from the Environment and Climate Change (ECC) division. The internship position will follow a hybrid model, with at least two days a week spent in HRM’s downtown Dartmouth office overlooking Kjipuktuk (the Halifax Harbour). 

Working for the HRM directly impacts our region, our communities, and the people we serve. Our customer-first approach means that we’re always striving to develop innovative and entrepreneurial ways to enhance residents’ lives. Employing nearly 5,000 people, we’re committed to being an inclusive, collaborative and respectful place to work. 

Summary of position  

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be HRM’s Parks Department and the Environment Team within ECC. In this varied and fast-paced position the successful candidate’s primary focus will be supporting the implementation, growth, and improvement of the Naturalization Program. 

The primary focus of this position will be the collection of baseline ecological data and development of monitoring protocols to guide the quantification of Naturalization Program success. It will also support the implementation of naturalization projects and may even include developing an intake process for new naturalization sites. Days will be varied with some desk-based work like data entry and provision of logistical support in addition to time spent in the field collecting baseline ecological data, assisting with monitoring activities, and participating in the implementation of naturalization projects alongside other HRM staff and partners. The number of field days required for this position is still to be determined but will likely account for at least 50% of worktime.  

The ideal candidate will have: familiarity with native species of the Wabanaki/Acadian forest region; an understanding of naturalization/ecological restoration techniques; some knowledge of invasive species management; experience working in the field; experience organizing community events; competent writing skills; strong project management and organizational abilities; and comfortability taking initiative, problem solving, and working independently. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Helping to design and implement a monitoring protocol for new and existing naturalization sites
• Establishing a database to track success of naturalization projects
• Assisting with the update of municipal Reinstatement Guidelines 
• Supporting the implementation of naturalization projects such as the construction of a pollinator garden and advancement of lawn naturalization initiatives 
• Assisting with invasive species projects focused on hemlock woolly adelgid, Itadori knotweed, emerald ash borer, and potentially others
• Supporting and helping to organize community outreach events and volunteer opportunities in municipal parks 
• Creating outreach materials to increase community awareness of naturalization programming 

Requirements/Qualifications 

• Work or academic experience in ecological restoration, naturalization, invasive pest management, environmental science, environmental management, or similar. 
• Background, training in, or developed understanding of ecological restoration techniques. 
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills. 
• Strong writing and communication skills. 
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office/SharePoint suites. 
• Proficiency using iNaturalist. 
• Experience conducting ecological/vegetation surveys and/or monitoring. 
• An aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work environment. 
• Ability to self-direct and motivate. 
• Valid Nova Scotia drivers’ licence and comfortability operating a municipal vehicle considered a very strong asset. 
• Demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental or clean sector is considered an asset.

Working Conditions 

This job will be a combination of field and desk-based work at ECC’s Alderney office in downtown Dartmouth with the option to work from home up to three days a week. Some weekend work will be expected from time to time. It is possible that adverse weather conditions like wind, rain, or extreme heat may arise during fieldwork. Work will cease if weather conditions are unsafe. Access to a personal vehicle may be beneficial to accommodate easier access to fieldwork sites but will not be required. 

Physical Requirements

As a partly sedentary position it will be important for the successful candidate to take care of their physical needs during desk-based days. HRM employees enjoy two fifteen-minute breaks plus an hour for lunch. Employees are also encouraged to move and stretch throughout the day. If working from home, it is important that the successful candidate has a comfortable place to work. When assisting with fieldwork, there will be some physical demands such as pushing wheelbarrows full of soil, repeatedly standing up and bending down, and digging. An ability to lift at least 15 lbs will be necessary.