We’re currently hiring for our Program Assistant, a Co-op position supported through academic institutions in the Maritimes, and are hosting interviews for our Program Lead. See details below, and contact Julia Whidden at info@terranautclub.com with questions.
Program Assistant Co-op Description
Position Title: Program Assistant (Co-op Student)
Employment Length: 12 weeks, June 5th – August 27th
Student Major Preference: Science, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Community Development
Hourly Rate: $15.30, ~35 hours per week
Location: Programs are located in 6 locations across Nova Scotia and 1 in New Brunswick, though Wolfville, Nova Scotia is the primary location.
Applications Due: 8:00pm AT Friday, March 24th
To Apply:
Note that this position is only open to female on gender non-conforming students in an established Co-op program at an academic institution in the Maritimes. Submit your CV, a cover letter, and contact information for 3 references to info@terranautclub.com by 8:00pm Atlantic Time on Friday, March 24th, 2023.
Position Summary
This position will support Terranaut Club’s STEM exploration and environmental education summer programs for girls+ (girls and under-represented genders) in Nova Scotia. Summer programs are pay-what-you-can to ensure financial accessibility to participants from disadvantaged backgrounds, and 50% of the seats in each program (5-6 seats) are reserved for participants from disadvantaged and/or under-represented backgrounds. Programs take place in 6 communities around Nova Scotia, including Wolfville, Dartmouth, Lunenburg, Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site, Digby, and Bon Portage Island, with the majority taking place in Wolfville. Programs fall into either our marine biology or wildlife conservation stream, with outdoor exploration being highlighted through primarily outdoor activities and involve either camping or staying overnight in research cabins. Applicants must be either women or under-represented genders to reflect and represent our organization’s mission and participant identities.
Organization Summary
Terranaut Club is a Nova Scotia-based non-profit organization that specializes in science and nature exploration for girls+ (girls and under-represented genders) ages 9-18. Our mission is to encourage girls+ to pursue STEM careers and become environmental leaders in their own communities, and we accomplish this through hands-on and immersive programming.
We offer in-person wildlife conservation and marine biology summer programs as well as online events including our women in STEM guest speaker series and data science and coding workshops. Our programs are offered at three age ranges and encourage long-term involvement in Terranaut Club: Junior (ages 9-12), Intermediate (ages 12-15), and Advanced (ages 15-18). We promote accessibility in STEM by offering our summer programs at a pay-what-you-can rate, and prioritize learning by having a maximum of 13 participants at each program. They take place in 6 communities across Nova Scotia: Bon Portage Island, Digby, Halifax, Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site, Lunenburg, and Wolfville, and tentatively also 1 community in New Brunswick: Fundy National Park. Programs are 2-5 days in length and involve staying with participants in a cabin on Bon Portage Island or camping overnight at Provincial or National Parks.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Developing hands-on STEM and environmental education activities alongside our team of educators
- Assisting in the delivery of summer programs, including supporting and leading activities and supervising participants
- Managing gear and ensuring equipment and technology are in working order
- Mentoring participants about what it’s like to study STEM and environmental subjects at the post-secondary level and pursue careers in STEM and the environment
- Compiling, analyzing, and presenting post-program survey results
- Assisting with developing social media content
- Assisting with compiling “follow-up packs” that we send to participants following the programs
Anticipated Learning Outcomes
- How to develop adaptable hands-on STEM and environmental education activities, broadly focused on marine biology and wildlife conservation but relevant to local issues
- How to lead educational activities for youth of varying ages, backgrounds, interests, and learning styles, including classroom management techniques
- How to plan and run summer programs/events, including developing organizational and problem-solving skills
- How to produce visually appealing, educational, and concise social media content and post-program survey reports
Conditions of Employment
- All Terranaut Club employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a valid reason;
- Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to their own vehicle;
- Willingness to travel and work variable hours;
- Willingness to work irregular hours, evenings and weekends when required;
- Provide a clear criminal background and vulnerable sector check
- Capable of field work and heavy lifting (setting up gear)
- Work a flexible schedule to meet program delivery requirements.
Program Lead Job Description (Closed)
Position Title: Program Lead
Duration: 15-17 weeks, May-September
Pay: $9,000 – $11,500, depending on funding *updated 02/12/23
Start Date: May 22nd (Negotiable, some flexibility)
Location: Programs are located in 6 locations across Nova Scotia and 1 in New Brunswick, though Wolfville, Nova Scotia is the primary location.
Applications Due: 8:00pm AT Wednesday, March 8th (previously March 1st)
To Apply:
Submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the position’s: (1) essential requirements, (2) helpful experiences, (3) summarizing your relevant experience as it relates to the position and the valued skills, and (4) contact information for 3 references to info@terranautclub.com by 8:00pm Atlantic Time on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023.
Position Summary
The Program Lead is responsible for leading Terranaut Club’s unique hands-on summer youth education programs for girls and under-represented genders and ensuring that participants have a safe and meaningful experience. As the main educator, the Program Lead will teach participants about various topics in STEM and environmental education in a primarily outdoor setting. This position requires working closely with a dynamic team including Terranaut Club directors, fellow staff, volunteers, and participants in a high energy, fast-paced work environment. Many of the programs involve activities that support scientific research projects on wildlife and allow participants to get in the field experience with Threatened and Endangered species. The Program Lead is also responsible for fostering and supporting Terranaut Club’s values of diversity and inclusivity at all programs.
Terranaut Club will tentatively be offering 10-12 summer programs in 6 communities across Nova Scotia and 1 in New Brunswick in 2023.
This position requires evening and weekend hours to lead programs and will require some heavy lifting for program set-up and take-down.
Organization Summary
Terranaut Club is a Nova Scotia-based non-profit organization that specializes in science and nature exploration for girls+ (girls and under-represented genders) ages 9-18. Our mission is to encourage girls+ to pursue STEM careers and become environmental leaders in their own communities, and we accomplish this through hands-on and immersive programming.
We offer in-person wildlife conservation and marine biology summer programs as well as online events including our women in STEM guest speaker series and data science and coding workshops. Our programs are offered at three age ranges and encourage long-term involvement in Terranaut Club: Junior (ages 9-12), Intermediate (ages 12-15), and Advanced (ages 15-18). We promote accessibility in STEM by offering our summer programs at a pay-what-you-can rate, and prioritize learning by having a maximum of 13 participants at each program. They take place in 6 communities across Nova Scotia: Bon Portage Island, Digby, Halifax, Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site, Lunenburg, and Wolfville, and tentatively also 1 community in New Brunswick: Fundy National Park. Programs are 2-5 days in length and involve staying with participants in a cabin on Bon Portage Island or camping overnight at Provincial or National Parks.
Duties/Responsibilities
The Program Lead will be responsible for assisting initially, then leading, on the delivery of 10 – 12 Terranaut Club summer programs for girls+ in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
This role involves (but is not limited to):
- Assisting with the initial two summer programs (June-July), learning and training with experienced Terranaut Club Director and volunteers
- Leading 7-9 of the remaining summer programs (July – September)
- Working with our Program Coordinator, Program Assistants, Co-op students and Terranaut Club Directors to prepare, deliver, and wrap-up programs
- Preparing necessary program materials
- Working with the Program Assistant to ensure proper gear for each program
- Working with the Program Coordinator to manage program itineraries and arrange transportation between activities
- Communicating with parents/guardians
- Teaching participants and leading activities covering a variety of STEM and environmental topics, such as squid dissections, chemical analysis of plastics, coding and data visualization activities, and discussions about climate change and biodiversity loss (no prior knowledge is required and most activities have existing materials and documentation)
- Adding to and updating existing lesson plans
- Some development of new teaching materials and activities
- Fostering a supportive, friendly, inclusive, and positive environment for our staff, volunteers, and participants, and respecting varying learning differences, gender identities and pronoun use
- Supervising the Program Assistants, Co-op students, volunteers, and participants
- Working with staff, volunteers, and participants to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being
- Managing participants’ individual needs: learning disabilities, medical conditions, dietary restrictions (with help from the team)
- Managing behavioural situations/conflicts and intervening in crises
- Collaborating with guest educators and partner organizations during programming
- Travelling to and from programs across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and transporting participants between activities
- Representing Terranaut Club and being a positive role model for our participants
A listing of our 2023 summer programs names dates will not be available until April 1st, however you can learn more about last summer’s program offerings here.
Education
- Secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training, traditional knowledge and/or experience.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should:
- Be 20 – 30 years old (due to funding requirements)
- Be a woman or under-represented gender
- Be a resident of Canada
- Have at least 2 years of experience working with children and/or youth
- Have at least 2 years of experience as an educator
- Have an interest in STEM and the environment, specifically marine biology and wildlife conservation
- Be confident outdoors and comfortable camping
Helpful Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM-related field or education
- STEM and/or environmental education experience
- Supervisory/managerial experience
- Experience working with/handling wildlife
- Up-to-date CPR/First Aid certification
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training
Valued Skills
Applicants should be:
- Excellent with children and youth
- Strong leaders
- Effective and enthusiastic educators
- Organized
- Capable of multi-tasking
- Comfortable with classroom management
- Experienced in crisis/conflict management
- A team player: both as a leader and team member
- Adaptable
- Hard-working
Conditions of Employment
- All Terranaut Club employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a valid reason;
- Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to their own vehicle;
- Willingness to travel and work variable hours;
- Willingness to work irregular hours, evenings and weekends when required;
- Provide a clear criminal background and vulnerable sector check
- Capable of field work and heavy lifting (setting up gear)
- Work a flexible schedule to meet program delivery requirements.