JOBS & SUMMER JOBS

Hiring: Outreach Intern
Type: summer job (age 30 & under)
Organization: Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust
Location: Caledonia / Southwestern Nova Scotia
Close date: EXTENDED to April 9th, 2023

Background on the NSWWT:

The Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust (NSWWT) is being established to be the first legal holder of working forest conservation easements through the Nova Scotia Community Easements Act. Our aim is to uphold and promote the long-term stewardship of private forested lands for the rich diversity of values that they provide through ecological forestry and conservation.

NSWWT was founded to fill a void in land conservation in Nova Scotia. Uniquely, over 70% of the province is privately owned and as a result, much of the forest is privately stewarded. We work with landowners to maintain their stewardship legacies and conserve forest health for the benefit of the community, environment, and future land stewards through developing, monitoring, and enforcing community easements. Easements uphold ecological forestry and conservation zones on private woodlands and ultimately help facilitate continuous forest cover, carbon storage, and habitat for species at risk on a landscape level.

NSWWT has been incubated through the Medway Community Forest Co-op (MCFC). MCFC is Eastern Canada’s first Crown land community forest, based in the rural community of Caledonia, Nova Scotia. Its primary aim is to support local communities through sustainable and ecologically based forest management. The two organizations share an office space, and some staff responsibilities span across both. This year will be an exciting start to this new land trust, and we are looking to welcome a passionate and creative intern to be apart of the launch!

The Position:

• Duration: 16 weeks starting May 8, 2023
• Hours: 35/week
• Pay: $18/hour
• Remote Work Expectations: We may be able to assist in finding accommodations, or else the individual is expected to commute to our office in Caledonia, NS +/- 2 days/week.

The Outreach Intern will facilitate woodland owner outreach programs and develop communication materials to engage new landowners and build relationships with land stewards as we begin to establish easements. Specifically, the intern will assist in developing a series of workshops and educational materials to promote working forest easements and the associated various benefits to landowners across Nova Scotia. The intern will be responsible for developing, planning, marketing, and executing woodland steward engagement, and building new outreach strategies as specified through planning with partner organizations and the Land Trust Manager.

The Outreach Intern will join an organization that is an innovator in sustainable private woodland management and will have the opportunity to work with various partner organizations influencing the ongoing sustainable paradigm shift in Nova Scotia forestry.

Preferential experience may be given to; an individual who is passionate about forest health and sustainable resource management; experienced in designing promotional materials and executing outreach campaigns; experienced in web-based marketing and knowledgeable in private land stewardship and conservation.

Primary Tasks:

• Maintain social media presence and regular website updates and performance evaluation
• Develop outreach content using photography/videography and text
• Plan, promote and execute various workshops and events throughout the summer
• Design promotional materials (eg. newsletters, info sheets, posters etc.)
• Maintenance of the NSWWT membership database, and expand outreach to woodland owners
• Utilize the Private Woodland Prioritization Tool and develop a strategic outreach campaign

Minimum Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of 2 years of a post-secondary program in forestry, environmental or natural resource studies, communications, marketing, environmental graphic design or similar.
• Demonstrated experience designing digital and print outreach materials
• Detail oriented with strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and exercises sound judgement in decision making
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Demonstrated ability to work independently without direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with the public, stakeholders and First Nations in a professional manner
• Self-starting, strong work ethic and initiative
• Some knowledge of Nova Scotia forestry, regulations and legislations
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant design applications (Canva, Abode Suite or similar)
• Valid driver’s license
• Willingness to participate in occasional work in the woods in varying terrain
• Willingness to live or commute and work in a remote rural community

Additional Assets:

• Some experience planning and facilitating outreach programs
• Some experience using online marketing tools and running social media campaigns
• Some experience in business planning, start-ups or market research
• Some knowledge of private forest stewardship in NS
• Knowledge and proficiency in online marketing tools including Mailchimp and Squarespace
• Knowledge of Acadian forest ecology

Application Process:

To apply, please forward your resume, a cover letter and contact information for two references in PDF format to info@nsworkingwoodlandstrust.org please include last name in title of file. Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

The successful applicant must be under 30, and the MCFC encourages applicants from a diversity of backgrounds or self-identify as part of an underrepresented group to apply.

This position is contingent upon funding. We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.