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The Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia is looking for an Outreach Biologist. 

The Aquaculture Outreach Program consists of two (2) students working with the staff of the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia to increase the profile of aquaculture in Nova Scotia communities, to educate the public on the facts about aquaculture in Nova Scotia, and to expose Nova Scotians to local aquaculture products. This is done through an interactive display that travels throughout the province to various community festivals and events. The display includes an aquarium stocked with locally-farmed fish for viewing, promotional materials about aquaculture in the province, locally-made videos about the industry and children’s activities.

Along with participation in these festivals, the Outreach students may visit high school classes or summer camp programs, as well as develop blog posts about their work for inclusion on the AANS website to further the reach of the program.

Outreach students work directly with the public to answers questions, provide accurate, relevant information and generally engage people in discussion about the industry. Students work in conjunction with the AANS staff to use available research, facts and figures to help develop promotional materials to be used at events and work to dispel myths and generally increase public confidence about the aquaculture industry.

Duties:

The duties of the Aquaculture Outreach Biologist will be to help organize, coordinate and deliver the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia’s summer outreach program. As part of this position, the students will be responsible for transporting and displaying live fish and shellfish for educational purposes. They will also interact with the public and educate the public about the various aspects of aquaculture. The position will involve presentations in schools, farmer’s markets, summer day-camps and festival and events around the province. Students will develop a schedule of community events, organize display materials, set-up and take down events, design and deliver presentations to interested schools and camps, and write blog and other social media posts about their activities. Other duties may also be required in your respective field.

Supervision:

The students will be supervised by the Public Engagement Coordinator of the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia.

Work Term Outcomes:

By the end of this program we would expect the students to have been able to visit many regions of Nova Scotia, visiting schools, summer camps, farmer’s markets and festivals, to properly explain to the public how aquaculture works and to build public confidence in the industry. This will be done using static displays, fact sheets, a live fish tank display, and educational videos. Students will be expected to answer basic questions by the public on some of the more frequently asked questions about the industry.

Job Requirements:

Education Level:

Applicants should have a minimum of one year’s post-secondary studies in an appropriate program to be eligible for this position.

Required Competencies:

Required competencies would include the ability to interact with the general public, public speaking skills, organizational skills, a basic understanding of the aquaculture industry or the willingness to learn, a willingness to work with live fish, a valid driver’s license, writing skills, the ability to work as part of a team, problem-solving skills and to be self-motivated.

**References will be requested at the interview.

Please address cover letters to:
Angela Bishop, Executive Director
Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia
7075 Bayers Rd, Suite 215
Halifax, NS  B3L 2C2