Indigenous youth jobs

(paid internship opportunity)

Position: Summer Intern
Eligibility: Indigenous youth aged 18 – 30 years, apply from anywhere in Canada
Organization: Community Eelgrass Restoration Initiative

Work Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Housing: Accommodation at the Dalhousie campus and weekly meal budget for the duration of the internship is available upon request.

The importance of community-led eelgrass restoration in Nova Scotia — Community Eelgrass Restoration Initiative

The project

Eelgrass meadows are a remarkable coastal ecosystem under the waves just steps off the coast of Nova Scotia. They provide important benefits such as supporting traditional and modern fisheries and help to prevent coastal erosion. Many species such as lobster, eel, crabs, and fishes hide, spawn and feed in eelgrass. Eelgrass is also one of the world’s most effective ecosystems for capturing and storing carbon, but it is rarely considered for its potential to lessen the impacts of climate change. Despite the benefits, few people in Nova Scotia know about eelgrass at all!

The Future of Marine Ecosystems lab at Dalhousie University has partnered with the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, The Geomicrobiology Group at the University of Calgary, and other local organizations and communities to study eelgrass around the province and re-establish connection to eelgrass through community-led and knowledge-informed restoration.

The role of the Intern

Open to: Indigenous youth aged 18 – 30 years, living in Canada, who are curious to learn more about scientific work, marine biology, climate change research, and community engagement.

No previous research or fieldwork experience necessary. Must be comfortable operating in and around water, be able to swim, and be open to learning how to snorkel and operate non-motorized watercraft (paddle boards, canoes, etc).

The intern will support a team of researchers and students at Dalhousie University studying eelgrass meadows around Nova Scotia. This work will involve research in the field and in the lab at various times over the summer. The intern will help with equipment preparation and will provide support in the field with activities like snorkeling, swimming, assisting with gear on a boat, shoreline support, or collecting media. Fieldwork will include (but is not limited to) taking sediment samples and analyzing them in the lab, monitoring eelgrass meadows for seed production and growth, seed harvesting, eelgrass replanting experiments, and environmental DNA sampling. The intern will gain insights into planning and performing scientific experiments, dealing with literature, as well as community outreach and education. Plus, you will get the last half of August off!

In collaboration with the Geomicrobiology Group at the University of Calgary, Interns will assist with naming microorganisms that have been discovered off the coast of Nova Scotia! Activities may include, but are not limited to, directly naming organisms, hosting/participating in community naming events, and planning youth activities. This work will be completed in collaboration with participating communities and our local genetics researcher.

Location and Compensation

Location: Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia, with occasional travel to field sites around Nova Scotia. Transport to field sites and all necessary equipment will be provided.

Accommodation at the Dalhousie campus and weekly meal budget for the duration of the internship is available upon request.

Honorarium: $25/hr for a total of 8 weeks, 30 hrs/week June –August. Start and end dates slightly flexible.

Work times may vary by week depending on field work and environmental conditions. Some weeks may exceed 30 hours. Extra hours to be taken in lieu. As this is a short-term position, there is no option for vacation time during the internship.

To apply, please send an email with some information about yourself and why you’re interested in this internship. We will be accepting applications until end of day on April 3rd , 2026. Please note no applications sent after the April 3rd deadline will be accepted.

Please email your application to: info@eelgrass.ca

Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions. Wela’lin!

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.