Education and Relations Assistant

Education and Relations Assistant (IISD-ELA)

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water. The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory—the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation.

IISD-ELA acknowledges that its research facility is located on Treaty 3 lands, and the care of these lands during experimentation and restoration to their original state is implicit in its mission. Many local schools in the region come to the facility to learn more about the science of aquatic ecosystems and how humans serve a role in sharing and working with one another to protect these resources.

The unique nature of the IISD-ELA facility and our whole-ecosystem approach to freshwater science provides an opportunity to deliver a different kind of educational programming and community outreach for a wide variety of audiences. IISD-ELA aims to inspire and train the general public and the next generation of research scientists, providing a platform for science education and innovation.

Producing high-quality data on aquatic ecosystems and communicating our findings to the world is a core goal of IISD-ELA. This season, IISD-ELA is seeking a motivated individual to help attain that goal through work on various projects with our data management and communications teams.

Responsibilities:

• Must be available to be at our research field station (northwestern Ontario) in the fall.
• Coordination of outreach events at the IISD-ELA facility.
• Creating new partnerships with teachers and the general public.
• Supporting the coordination of education programming at ELA.
• Developing content and materials under the supervision of the Education Manager to be used for education related to ELA Science and its relevance to the broader public.
• Working with IISD Communication staff on public engagement materials related to ELA science as needed.
• Working with IISD and IISD-ELA staff on fundraising materials.
• Leading site tours and specific events (in September and October).
• Providing presentations to local schools and First Nations communities.
• Promoting ELA through various social media platforms.
• Providing general research support as needed, including through field sampling and/or data entry and analysis as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The Education and Outreach assistant position is competitive, and the qualifying candidate must have the following qualifications:

• Current enrolment in a university or college program leading to a degree in education, communications, English, science, or a related discipline.
• Work experience in the field of communications and outreach, event planning, or public education.
• A strong interest in scientific communications and the value of communicating science to the general public.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Experience operating small motorized vessels with an outboard motor is an asset.
• Ability to do fieldwork involving manual labour, such as hiking and lifting heavy objects (up to 20 kg).
• Willing to work long hours in diverse weather conditions.
• Willing to live in shared accommodations in a remote location.
• Knowledge of French or Ojibwe is an asset.

Must possess or be willing to obtain a valid:

• First Aid/CPR certificate
• Pleasure Craft Operator card
• Driver’s licence
• ATV certification
• Valid criminal record check and vulnerable sector verification.

The contract is for a 4-month term, from September 4 to December 22, with an opportunity for a possible extension in the winter**.**

Candidates are required to provide the following application materials:

• A curriculum vitae.
• Their most recent academic transcript (attached to the CV document).
• A cover letter (500 words maximum) outlining previous experience(s) in areas related to IISD-ELA research.
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Compensation: CAD 661.50–757.13 weekly, based on enrolment year or graduation from a University or college program

Closing date: July 14, 2023, at 11:59 pm CST

All submissions must be in English.

IISD-ELA is committed to equal opportunity. Candidate must be a current student enrolled at a Canadian university and hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only candidates advancing in the recruitment will be contacted for an interview. We kindly request that candidates do not pursue further contact.

IISD has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires employees who are required or choose to be at an office or participate in in-person team events or in-person meetings/events to be fully vaccinated. Anyone unable to be fully vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from being fully vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.