Discovery Centre
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.
Climate Science Specialist
Department: Science Education
Supervisor: Project Manager, Youth Climate Action
Position Category: Full time co-op
Wage: $16.00 per hour
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week; 16 weeks
Start Date: May 15, 2023
Application Deadline: March 1, 2023
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.
As a Climate Science Specialist, you will be responsible for delivering a positive visitor
experience either through visitor interactions and activities through behind the scenes
preparation of education materials and documents. The material covered will be local in nature
and relate to a variety of climate change topics.
This position will give the student the experience of working within a team setting, researching,
and developing materials that can be easily presented to youth of all ages. Students will benefit
from the opportunity to improve upon their organizational, collaboration, and facilitation skills,
advance their climate change knowledge and knowledge of educational practices.
Description of Tasks:
The Climate Science Specialist works in the Science Education department and reports to the
Project Manager, Youth Climate Action. The primary tasks of the position are:
• Reviewing current peer-reviewed publications and translating into plain language for
educators
• Developing hands-on activities related to research
• Provide science fact-checking for climate action learning resources
• Supporting any ongoing outreach programs happening during the term
Qualifications:
Education: Post-secondary education in science, education, or a related discipline
Experience: Experience in an educational, science, or museum setting; experience preparing
and presenting workshops an asset
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
Other Qualifications:
• First Aid and WHMIS an asset
Eligibility: Applicants must be current students returning to post-secondary studies in Fall 2023
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: Identifying sources for activities; researching; developing activities;
providing support to outreach programs; routine team meetings and
meetings with supervisor
Week 16: Compiling of final report; debriefing with supervisor; performance
evaluation
Measurable Outcomes:
• Develop a minimum of three hands-on activities related to climate change topics with
the assistance of team members and their supervisor
• Support ongoing climate change outreach programs
• Prepare and present a report on created activities and the overall experience with the
Centre
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 Project Manager, Youth Climate Action will provide
the student with an overall assessment of their performance.
Employability Skills:
After their employment at the Discovery Centre, the Climate Science Specialist is expected to
have acquired, or improved upon, the following skills:
• Communication
• Digital skills
• Community engagement
• Information management
• Innovation
• Working safely
• Problem-solving
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Research
• Leadership
• Environmentalism
This position is an excellent opportunity for any student that is continuing in science or
education, or who is interested in a career related to climate science.
Orientation and Training:
The Climate Science Specialist’s orientation will include a briefing on the Discovery Centre and
the Science Education department. There will also be an orientation on the ongoing climate
action initiatives.
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 Climate Science Specialist 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: Daria Goncharova
Title: Project Manager, Youth Climate Action
Phone: 902-492-4422 ext. 2248
Email: dgoncharova@thediscoverycentre.ca
Mailing address: 1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax NS, B3J 3S8
Application:
Opportunity is dependent on funding.
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