Position: Environmental Technician (one internship available)
Organization: Watersheds Canada
Location: anywhere in Canada
Eligibility: 30 or younger & post-secondary graduate
Watersheds Canada is a federally incorporated non-profit organization and registered Canadian charity committed to providing education programs in communities across the country to engage and help students, community groups, and organizations to enhance and protect the health of lakes and rivers. Since 2002, we have delivered (1) education programming and workshops; (2) freshwater stewardship programming, including shoreline naturalizations and assessments; and (3) communications grounded in science, including natural heritage planning and resource development. We reach over 15,000 people each year through strategic partnerships across Canada.
Watersheds Canada understands that in order to create the greatest impact, we must actively train, provide resources, and help others across Canada. We provide practical and proven ways to restore deteriorating shoreline conditions and improve water quality over the long-term. People will then have the ability to pass along that same expertise to others in their communities,
Reports to: Communications and Fundraising Coordinator
Position Location: Remote
Length of Contract: 40-43 weeks at 30 hours/week (dependent on funding)
Start: ASAP (October/November 2021)
Position Details:
Watersheds Canada is looking for a dynamic clean tech member to join our team and work together to develop and implement a climate change mitigation and sustainable shoreline planning project that will accelerate Watersheds Canada’s impact to serve freshwater groups, nature organizations, individuals, and youth, and meet our mission to protect Canada’s freshwater. Working under the direction of the Watersheds Canada leadership team, the Technician will deliver an outreach project to engage citizens and landowners to help them prevent and reduce pollution, overland runoff, and warmth from entering and degrading freshwater sources. This position will focus on community action and engagement organizing to reach new communities and individuals not currently participating in Watersheds Canada programming.
Through this process, the Technician will develop and build upon the Natural Edge shoreline renaturalization program which uses native plants and technology to restore and protect shorelines across Canada, and the Planning for our Shorelands project. The Technician will be responsible for developing and delivering a technology- and science-grounded outreach project for landowners to utilize to prevent and eliminate possible degradation of the terrestrial and aquatic environment in their town and along their property.
The successful applicant will contribute to the stewardship and outreach work at Watersheds Canada by working to raise landowner awareness of water stewardship principles and climate change environmental impacts on lakes, rivers, and shorelines. The Technician is responsible for:
- providing recommendations to constituents to reduce and, if possible, eliminating pollution and ecosystem degradation;
- research potential avenues and points of access to reach relevant participants and stakeholders with a goal to build awareness of and engagement in the activities and programs of Watersheds Canada;
- organizing and delivering outreach events (in person and online) such as presentations and workshops that build the profile of Watersheds Canada, and educate and engage participants and program delivery partners.;
- utilizing iOS App software and WordPress site to create resources to help individuals and groups reduce and prevent pollution such as overland runoff, warmth, fertilizers, and pesticides from entering the waterways;
- researching and compiling scientific reports;
- developing copy for outreach materials and content creation for social media, blogs, and videos;
- communicating with multiple/diverse audiences;
- acting as a spokesperson for the organization and our programs, the proponent and partners at online environmental events including Zoom events;
- assisting with data entry and analysis;
- tracking progress and milestones and communicating regularly with Executive Director and Director of Development and Fundraising;
- some field work and sample collection;
- planting native plants along shorelines (as needed);
- supporting other project components and staff as assigned by the management; and
- other roles as needed.
This role will be crucial in providing resources and tools to shoreline property owners across Canada and giving them concrete steps to take local action for their freshwater in the wake of climate change and increased degradation of freshwater areas.
Qualification Requirements:
CleanTech Funding Requirements:
Eligible interns are:
- Post-secondary graduates
- No more than 30 years of age at the start of the internship
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons granted refugee status in Canada* (*Refugee protection must be conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Persons awaiting refugee status, as well as those who hold a temporary visitor visa, student visa or work visa, are ineligible to participate in a Youth Employment Strategy initiative.
- Legally allowed to work according to the relevant provincial and Canadian legislation and regulations
- Available to work for at least six months
Cannot be:
- Previous participants of a Science Horizon Internship
- (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/science-technology/managing/horizons-youth-internship-program.html)
- Employees of the hiring employer prior to the start of their internship (does not apply to previous co-op students or student interns, although this must be clearly indicated by the employer)
Experience:
None required, however preference will be given to those with some experience in the skills listed below.
Skills:
- Excellent English written and oral communication. French bilingualism is an asset.
- A demonstrated knowledge and passion of Canadian freshwater issues and protection.
- Previous field work/lab experience an asset.
- Previous research experience.
- Comfortable with public speaking and engagement of the public.
- Comfortable disseminating complex scientific principles into understandable terms.
- Experience with WordPress an asset.
- Working knowledge of social media platforms and Zoom.
- Some graphic design experience (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) an asset.
- Proven multi-tasking skills in a fast-paced environment, completing projects within time constraints and with changing deadlines.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Proven high level of motivation and initiative.
- High attention to detail for data entry and generating reports and online shoreline renaturalization planting plans.
- Ability to work independently. A self-motivator.
Education
- Some College or University, with preference given to those with a specialization in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies/Science, Biology, Communications, or Education.
How to Apply:
Applicants should submit a 1-2 page resume and 1-page cover letter, as well as 2-3 examples of published online communications pieces (graphic design or written). Please include all information in one PDF document file labelled with your name. Applications are due by Friday, October 22, 2021 to: info (at) watersheds.ca
Please put “Environmental Technician Job application” as your email subject line. No phone calls. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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