Main Functions:
The Environmental Education Intern will support EcoSpark’s citizen science programming team as we empower people to become environmental champions in their community. The intern will support our work with youth and adults, helping deliver citizen science projects to promote native biodiversity in public greenspaces. In addition, the intern will help develop resources for our Spring Sparking Science conference – mentoring grade nine girls about STEM opportunities for future careers.
Specific roles will include:
Assisting in citizen science monitoring and stewardship events including biodiversity and water quality monitoring
Providing leadership and serving as a mentor to youth participants
Organizing logistics for citizen science events
Coordinating program registrations
Providing data management support
Providing program evaluation support
The intern will work as part of the environmental education team and will be supervised by the Citizen Science Program Manager, with support from EcoSpark’s program staff based on the particular skills and expertise that best match the student’s professional development goals. As part of this team, the student will have access to expertise in citizen science projects, environmental education, youth engagement, marketing and communications and the non-profit sector. Through the mentoring plan, EcoSpark will ensure that the student will gain valuable experience in all of these areas.
Qualifications:
Experience working with youth (for example, as a camp counselor or program leader)
Experience collecting and analyzing data
Able to grasp new concepts quickly and efficiently
Proven time management skills, punctuality, and strong attention to detail
Superior communication skills both written and verbal
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Comfortable working outdoors in all weather
Comfortable moving and lifting heavy bins of field equipment
Comfortable using conferencing software, Microsoft office, and Google platforms
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working or volunteering with a not-for-profit is an asset
Demonstrated interest in citizen science
We are looking to hire someone in the Greater Toronto Area, preferably in York Region, with the ability to travel to some sessions throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Valid G2 or G driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is highly preferred. EcoSpark pays for mileage and access to carsharing when available.
Desired Level of Education: Secondary or Post-secondary, preferably majoring in Education, Environmental Studies/Science, Biology, Ecology or Geography, or related fields.
About EcoSpark
EcoSpark is an environmental charity whose mission is to empower communities to take an active role in protecting and sustaining their local environment. We do this by giving people the tools for education, monitoring, and influencing positive change.
EcoSpark’s key programs are:
Changing Currents, a program introducing students in grades 6 – 12 from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to their local watersheds and teaching them about watershed science.
School Watch, a program where teachers learn how to lead citizen science projects with their students on schoolgrounds. We deliver teacher professional development and student activities on curriculum-linked environmental projects such as tree inventories and bird surveys. This project allows students to contribute meaningful data while learning about ecosystem health, positive action and environmental science in the community.
Park Watch, a project developed by EcoSpark in consultation with Park People and the City of Toronto, animates Toronto’s public green spaces through citizen science. The project enables volunteers to support the health and maintenance of public parks and ravines, fosters a stronger connection to our public green spaces and contributes scientifically meaningful data at municipal, provincial and national scales.
Sparking Science, a mentorship conference showcasing women working in STEM with a social purpose. Drawing from different fields, ages and backgrounds, these fantastic women mentor young women entering grade 9. Our goal is to increase science literacy and demonstrate that a career in science is fun, satisfying and comes in many different shapes and forms.
Greenbelt Youth Ambassador Program, a project engaging youth across the GTA to better understand the ecological importance of the Greenbelt to protect the region’s fresh water supplies.
Working Conditions
Location: Primarily City of Toronto and York Region, with some work in other parts of the GTA
Employment Type: Full-time contract (37.5 hours/week) to begin by September 5th, 2023 for 20 weeks. Depending on program needs, the contract may be extended beyond 20 weeks by mutual agreement. This position is funding-dependent.
The Environmental Education Intern may from time to time be required to work more than 7.5 hours per day and occasionally on weekends with lieu hour Compensation.
Salary: $16.55/hour
Additional Considerations:
We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:
Youth ages 15 – 30 years old
First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
Application Deadline and How to Apply:
To apply,
please send a cover letter and resume as a single pdf attachment with Environmental Education Intern in the subject line, no later than Aug. 20th, 2023 11:59pm, to:
Email – jobs@ecospark.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.