Coastal Adaptation Research & Policy Assistant

The Coastal Adaptation Research & Policy Assistant position at Clean Foundation involves supporting the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Coordinator in enhancing adaptive capacity in Nova Scotia's coastal parks. Responsibilities include conducting research, writing briefs, and assisting in stakeholder engagement. This is a paid internship for individuals aged 15-30, with the option for remote work. The role aims to promote climate resilience in coastal areas.
Job title: Coastal Adaptation Research & Policy Assistant

Reports to: Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Coordinator, Clean Coasts Department

Job location: 90 Alderney Drive/126 Portland Street, Dartmouth, HRM; and remote work

Wage: $19.00 / 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

Clean Foundation (Clean) is a non-governmental environmental charity based in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island with our primary office located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Clean works in the ancestral and unceded territories of the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik. We help the communities in which we work make real progress toward a cleaner future by tackling serious climate change challenges.

Since 1988, Clean has been bringing specialized teams together to work on complex problems, delivering clean projects and programming for communities. We support the fair transition to a cleaner economy and greener society. To achieve this, we work collaboratively with our many partners to: reduce energy poverty, promote social equity and support historically marginalized communities, develop the clean economy workforce, protect the natural environment, and educate and promote action on climate change.

Summary of position

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Clean Foundation. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for supporting the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Coordinator in increasing adaptive capacity in Nova Scotia’s coastal parks. With the goal of creating climate resilient coastal parks in the province, you will be directly assisting the coordinator with desktop work and supporting work related to hosting meetings/workshops and participating in potential site visits with diverse stakeholders of the Shared Coastal Parks Sector. Tasks would include conducting in-depth research on various topics related to climate change adaptation planning and policy, writing research briefs, presenting research findings, and assisting in building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.

The successful candidate needs to have strong research skills, attention to detail, accurate record-keeping and strong organizational and time management skills. The candidate must be team-oriented, have strong interpersonal skills and be suited to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team or individually. They must be willing to work outside of normal operational hours if necessary. 

Duties and Responsibilities
• Support the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Coordinator in conducting in-depth research on topics related to climate change adaptation planning and policy in coastal parks and protected areas, such as; nature-based solutions, collaborative adaptation, adaptation pathways, public access to coastal areas, biodiversity and ecosystem preservation.
• Write research briefs, summarizing findings from research.
• Plan and coordinate a lunch-and-learn.
• Present research findings of research to groups of the public
• Support the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Coordinator with administrative tasks as needed (e.g., scheduling meetings, taking meeting minutes).
• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders of the Shared Coastal Parks Sector
• Develop and present Toolbox Talks (safety presentations) for weekly team meetings.
• Attend internal and external meetings and take notes.
• Assist with other tasks 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;
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Effective organization and time management skills of tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments and timelines.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong research skills.
• Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills 
• Eager to learn and passionate about their work.
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and Zoom.
• Valid Nova Scotia/Canadian driver’s license.
• Experience with policy and planning is considered an asset.
• Understanding of coastal systems in Nova Scotia is considered an asset.
• Valid First Aid and WHMIS is considered an asset.

Working Conditions

The Coastal Adaptation Research & Policy Assistant role is a 15-week internship based out of Dartmouth and will work Monday to Friday 35 hours per week. This position is a hybrid working position, where working remotely from home and in the Dartmouth Clean offices will be required. Occasional work outside of normal operational hours relating to site visits may occur.

Physical Requirements

Desktop work will require sitting for long periods of time.