Ocean Energy Facilitator (Student WIL/Co-op Term)

Discoverycentre
Halifax, NS

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Détails du poste

Temps plein | Stage/coop
18,50 $ de l’heure

Profil recherché

Français
Biologie
Expérience en gestion
Écosystèmes
Anglais
Certificat de premiers soins de base
Études environnementales
Compétences en communication

Description complète du poste

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.

Ocean Energy Facilitator (Student WIL/Co-op Term)

Department: Science Education

Supervisor: Director of Science Education

Position Category: Full time co-op term

Wage: $18.50 per hour

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week; 15 weeks

Start Date: September 9, 2026

Application Deadline: July 8, 2026

Applicants must be current students returning to post-secondary studies in Fall 2026,

eligible for a co-op or Student Work Placement Program, and meet any additional eligibility

criteria of the grant program(s) funding this role. Applicants may be required to complete a

pre-screening survey to confirm eligibility.

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.

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.

The main objective of the position is to help create exciting and stimulating science

education experiences for visitors in the energy and ocean galleries. The position will

facilitate public programming that provides visitors with exciting science demonstrations

related to energy sources that are being developed from ocean, land, and technology

within the province of Nova Scotia.

The Facilitator will engage the public in everything they are doing and provide an

enthusiastic welcome to the Galleries, helping visitors engage with the exhibits and

programs.

Description of Tasks:

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator works in the Science Education department and reports to the

Director of Science Education. The primary tasks of the position are:

Communicating science and creating an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment around

the topics of ocean and energy for all ages.

Helping maintain the life support systems of aquaria, ensuring that the life within an

aquarium is properly managed, that the environment is conducive to the plants and

animals growing and thriving, and that the living beings have everything else that

they need to live well

Sharing information with the general public; helping visitors engage with the gallery

experiences

Maintaining a safe and clean working environment, keeping up to date with health

and safety requirements and training

Developing and delivering programming and content

Ensuring that displays and exhibits remain clean and that the living beings are in

good shape to be viewed by the public

May help with species collecting at designated license/permit sites: this is limited to

gathering species by hand, snorkeling and with hip waders.

Qualifications:

Education: Post-secondary studies in marine biology, aquaculture, environmental studies,

or related discipline

Experience: Experience in a front-line setting dealing with the public; experience in science

communication

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

Comfortable engaging strangers

Proactive problem-solving

Other Qualifications:

Depth of knowledge in marine and freshwater species of flora and fauna and their

associated ecosystems

Technical knowledge of aquaria, their operations, life support systems,

maintenance, considered an asset

First Aid and WHMIS an asset

Eligibility: Applicants must be current students returning to post-secondary studies in Fall

2026 and must qualify for Coop Program or the Student Work Placement 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 2-14 Developing and delivering programming; engaging with public;

maintaining displays and exhibits; daily reporting of visitor

interactions; routine meetings with supervisor

Week 15: Compiling of final report; debriefing with supervisor; performance

evaluation

Measurable Outcomes:

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator will:

Encourage members of the public to take an active role in protecting habitats and

resources through education and engagement

Contribute to positive visitor experiences and interactions at the Centre, as

evidenced by positive feedback from guests

Ensure that the aquarium plants and animals have everything they need to grow

and thrive

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 Director of Science Education will provide the

student with an overall assessment of their performance.

Employability Skills:

After their employment at the Discovery Centre, the Ocean/Energy Facilitator is expected to

have acquired, or improved upon, the following skills:

Manage information – organize, research and gather information related to oceans

and energy

Communication – read and understand information, listen and ask questions,

sharing information, write and speak to help others understand, clarify concepts.

Customer/Client Service.

Use digital skills – monitor health of species within the aquaria, create and share

information/programming safely and securely.

Active Listening – take time to listen attentively to others, ask questions to clarify

what is being said/restate the conversation to ensure that they understand what the

visitors are communicating. Be positive when communicating with others.

Resilience – understand setbacks when demonstrations or interactions with the

general public do not go the way that they are expected, be positive in difficult

situations.

Problem Solve – Identify, assess, evaluate, make decisions/recommendations, apply

solutions and check success.

Working Together – respect the opinions and contributions of co-workers, respect

people’s diversity and perspectives, accept feedback, share information and skills,

celebrate success of programming and visitor interactions.

Be Adaptable – open to new ideas and challenges, make decisions quickly when

needed (revise programming as necessary)

Be Responsible - manage time, resources and risk to ensure meets goals,

accountable for actions.

Work Safely – practice health and safety procedures, keeps OHS top of mind at all

times.

Learn Constantly – willing to learn and grow in position, identifies areas of strengths

and areas that need to be improved upon, proactive approach to learning.

Positive Attitude and Behaviour – approaches problems and situations in positive

way, honest and recognizes efforts of others and oneself in positive way. Confident.

This position is an excellent opportunity for any student that is continuing in marine

biology, aquaculture, or environmental studies, or who is interested in a career in an

environment-related industry or in science education.

Orientation and Training:

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator’s orientation will include a briefing on the Discovery Centre

and the Science Education department. They will also have an orientation on the

Ocean/Energy galleries and other additional training that is specific to the role.

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

Discovery Centre’s policies and uphold the values and responsibilities outlined in them.

The Ocean/Energy Facilitator 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.

Respectful Workplace

Discovery Centre’s Respectful Workplace Policy is reviewed regularly with its employees.

Training includes online courses from CCOHS (including the Being a Mindful Employee: An

Orientation to Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and Reducing Mental

Health Stigma at Work programs).

Supervision and Mentorship:

The student will meet with their manager on a weekly basis. One mid-term performance

evaluation will be conducted, and the successful completion of measurable outcomes will

be addressed in this meeting and in a final performance evaluation. At the end of the 16

weeks, the Director of Science Education will provide the student with an overall

assessment of their performance. The student’s supervisor is Ryan Jameson who has over

8 years of experience in the manager role.

Manager Name: Ryan Jameson

Title: Director of Science Education

Phone: 902-492-4422 ext. 2239

Email: [email protected]

Mailing address: 1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax NS, B3J 3S8

Mentorship will be a combination of the manager and the student’s coworkers, Discovery

Centre’s science experience team. Daily interaction and collaboration of projects happen

throughout the 15 weeks. All aspects of the position are shared with the science

experience team who provide guidance, feedback and support as needed.

Application:

Applications are to be emailed to [email protected]. 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 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. The

hiring process includes reviewing resumes that have been submitted, identifying which

resumes fit the qualifications for the position and interviewing each candidate that has

been selected from the interview process. Two (2) people conduct interviews with scoring

sheets as the method of tracking responses. The potential successful candidates’

references are the final step in the process. The successful candidate is selected and

contacted with the position offer.

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 [email protected] to request

specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be

kept confidential.

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