Shellfish Farm Technician

Job Description – Clean Leadership 2026 Program 

Job title: Shellfish Farm Technician  

Reports to: Owner 

Job location: 636 Big Island Rd, Merigomish, NS, B0K1G0 

Wage: $20.00 / hou

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

Start Date: Expected May 11, 2026 

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 

ShanDaph Aquaculture is an environmentally sustainable, organic aquaculture operation, located in Big Island, Nova Scotia. 

The boutique operation grows primarily oysters, as well as bay scallops and quahogs, in the 

Northumberland Strait waters of Atlantic Canada. ShanDaph Oysters focuses on providing 

consistently high quality, fresh shellfish. Only the plumpest, tastiest shellfish with consistent size and shape are harvested for an exciting gourmet experience. 

ShandDaph promotes environmentally sound practices. Shellfish are grown from seed and 

harvested in a natural setting. They are packaged onsite in a Federally-registered, solar-powered facility, the only one in Atlantic Canada. 

Summary of position  

We are looking for an enthusiastic, responsible, and hard-working individual to fill the position 

of Shellfish Farm Technician. The position will entail full time hours working on site, at one of 

our two aquaculture leases, working within our federally registered shellfish processing facility, 

reporting on and measuring the effectiveness of new technologies and processes for a shellfish 

husbandry. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

• 1. This position will entail a keen willingness to be outdoors, on the water, 

and involved in all aspects of shellfish husbandry, harvesting and processing; 

• 2. The incumbent will be required to swim for shellfish, harvest from a 

boat, de-foul shellfish, sort, tumbling and grading oysters; 

• 3. The husbandry component involves managing various shellfish grow 

out apparatus and determining best husbandry practice for optimal growth; 

• 4. The position will assist in measuring the effectiveness of new 

technologies for shellfish husbandry, including data collection and qualitative 

research and reporting; 

• 5. Data collection for various environmental monitoring for temperature, 

salinity measurements, turbidity; 

• 6. The incumbent, based on skill set will be required to design and repair 

husbandry and growth equipment as required; 

• 7. A willingness to adjust weekly work hours based on the tides and 

activities being carried out on the farm. 

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 the field of Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental engineering, Environmental Resource Management or other such field. 

• The ability to be outdoors in a wet environment, for most of the day. 

• A Nova Scotia boating license. 

• First aid certificate (long course). 

• An independent worker who can autonomously complete tasks. 

• Technical capacity and experience in design, prototyping and build out new equipment. CAD experience at asset. 

 

Working Conditions  

Fast-paced environment, physically demanding, working outdoors most of the day 

Big Island, Nova Scotia at our Shellfish Aquaculture site 

We can help find accommodations for students who require it. We have a trailer on site that can accommodate 1 student. We are 35 minutes from Antigonish and New Glasgow. 2 hours from 

Halifax. A car is almost a necessity in this rural location. 

Physical Requirements
N/A