CO-OP: OCEAN/ENERGY FACILITATOR

  • Location: Halifax
  • Deadline: June 1, 2023 at 4:00 pm

Discovery Centre: Ocean/Energy Facilitator

Department: Science Education

Supervisor: Director of Science Education

Position Category: Full time co-op

Wage: $16.00 per hour

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week; 16 weeks

Start Date: September 5, 2023

Application Deadline: July 1, 2023

Mission:

Bring STEAM to life through hands-on science learning experiences. Discovery Centre’s mandate is advanced through the presentation of high-quality STEAM educational experiences.

Position Summary:

For over 35 years, the Discovery Centre has developed a reputation for being Nova Scotia’s leader in the delivery of exciting hands-on, minds-on science programming for youth.

The main objective of the position is to help create exciting and stimulating science education experiences for visitors in the energy and ocean galleries. The position will facilitate public programming that provides visitors with exciting science demonstrations related to energy sources that are being developed from ocean, land, and technology within the province of Nova Scotia.

The Facilitator will engage the public in everything they are doing and provide an enthusiastic welcome to the Galleries, helping visitors engage with the exhibits and programs.

Description of Tasks:

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator works in the Science Education department and reports to the Director of Science Education. The primary tasks of the position are:

· Helping maintain the life support systems of aquaria, ensuring that the life within an aquarium is properly managed, that the environment is conducive to the plants and animals growing and thriving, and that the living beings have everything else that they need to live well

· Ensuring that displays and exhibits remain clean and that the living beings are in good shape to be viewed by the public

· Creating an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment around the topic of oceans and energy

· Sharing information with the general public; helping visitors engage with the gallery experiences

· Developing and delivering programming; supporting the research, development and delivery of camp programs

· Maintaining a safe and clean working environment, keeping up to date with health and safety requirements and training

· May help with species collecting at designated license/permit sites: this is limited to gathering species by hand, snorkeling and with hip waders.

Qualifications:

Education: Post-secondary studies in marine biology, aquaculture, environmental studies, or related discipline

Experience: Experience in a front-line setting dealing with the public; experience in science communication

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required; additional languages (especially French) considered an asset

Competencies:

· Exceptional communication skills

· Highly adaptable

· Able to take initiative

· Highly organized

· Works well as part of a team

· Effective interpersonal skills

· Comfortable engaging strangers

· Proactive problem-solving

Other Qualifications:

· Depth of knowledge in marine and freshwater species of flora and fauna and their associated ecosystems

· Technical knowledge of large and small aquariums, both salt and fresh water, their operations, life support systems, maintenance, and recommended repairs when needed

· First Aid and WHMIS an asset

Eligibility: Applicants must be current students returning to post-secondary studies in Winter 2024 and must qualify for the Nova Scotia Co-Op Program in order to be considered.

Workplan:

Week 1: Training and orientation, including occupational health and safety, building and operations, job-specific training, and Discovery Centre as a whole; team meetings; review of position objectives

Weeks 2-16 Developing and delivering programming; engaging with public; maintaining displays and exhibits; daily reporting of visitor interactions; routine meetings with supervisor

Week 16: Compiling of final report; debriefing with supervisor; performance evaluation

Measurable Outcomes:

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator will:

· Encourage members of the public to take an active role in protecting habitats and resources through education and engagement

· Contribute to positive visitor experiences and interactions at the Centre, as evidenced by positive feedback from guests

· Ensure that the aquarium plants and animals have everything they need to grow and thrive

The student will understand and take ownership of outcomes through a combination of training, self-directed study, and ongoing support from their manager and team. Through regular communication with their manager, incremental objectives will be set to ensure progress. One mid-term performance evaluation will be conducted, and the successful completion of outcomes will be addressed in this meeting and in a final performance evaluation. At the end of the 16 weeks, the Director of Science Education will provide the student with an overall assessment of their performance.

Employability Skills:

After their employment at the Discovery Centre, the Ocean/Energy Facilitator is expected to have acquired, or improved upon, the following skills:

· Communication

· Community engagement

· Information management

· Innovation

· Working safely

· Problem-solving

· Flexibility

· Adaptability

· Leadership

· Animal care

· Program development

· Environmentalism

This position is an excellent opportunity for any student that is continuing in marine biology, aquaculture, or environmental studies, or who is interested in a career in an environment-related industry or in science education.

Orientation and Training:

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator’s orientation will include a briefing on the Discovery Centre and the Science Education department. They will also have an orientation on the Ocean/Energy galleries and other additional training that is specific to the role.

Occupational health and safety is a key organizational priority for the Discovery Centre, so the individual will receive thorough training on the Centre’s occupational health and safety policies and procedures, emergency protocols, building safety, first aid training (if applicable), and any safety training that is specific to their role.

The individual will be given all applicable Discovery Centre policies, including the respectful workplace policy and code of conduct. They will be required to familiarize themselves with these policies and uphold the values and responsibilities outlined in them.

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator will be required to participate in general staff meetings and department meetings. They will be encouraged to be as familiar with our Centre and its modes of operation as possible.

Supervision:

Name: Ryan Jameson

Title: Director of Science Education

Phone: 902-492-4422 ext. 2239

Email: rjameson@thediscoverycentre.ca

Mailing address: 1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax NS, B3J 3S8

Application:

Applications are to be emailed to recruitment@thediscoverycentre.ca. Applicants are to submit their resume, cover letter, and references. Please note the position that you are applying for in the subject line of your email application. All applications will be reviewed but only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. All applicants are thanked in advance for their interest. Please note: this position is dependent upon receipt of funding.

Discovery Centre is committed to leveraging our facility, people, and programming to create inclusive spaces that ignite a passion for science and discovery. We are also committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility practices within our workplace, public engagement spaces, and programming. Our Centre’s Board of Directors, management, and staff believe diverse participation and representation are essential and that our networks thrive when we create an inclusive and equitable culture where all people can see themselves reflected, feel respected, and have their contributions valued.

Discovery Centre promotes equal employment opportunities for all job applicants, and we encourage applications from candidates who self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group, including Indigenous people (especially Mi’kmaq), people of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), members of other racialized groups, women, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact recruitment@thediscoverycentre.ca to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.