Summer Student (Climate Plan and Strategic Action)

The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a Summer Student for the Climate Plan and Strategic Action team in Halifax, NS. The role involves supporting project teams with research, policy development, and assisting stakeholders in accessing climate-related funding. Candidates must be enrolled full-time in a relevant postsecondary program and returning to school in Fall 2025. The position is term-based and entails collaboration with various teams on climate initiatives.
Competition # : 44897

Department: Environment and Climate Change

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 22-Jan-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change’s role is to protect the environment, human health and animal health through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership and promotion. The department also coordinates provincial action on climate change and supports the advancement of the clean economy. To achieve this, we strive to develop legislation, regulations and policies, process notifications, applications, and approvals for regulated activities based on sound scientific knowledge and expertise.
Our goal is to educate, inspect and enforce to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations. We also proactively respond to environmental, conservation, animal, and human health risks and work to develop programs and deliver services to enhance protection in these areas.

About Our Opportunity

Working under direction of the Manager, Climate Plan and Strategic Action (CPSA), you will work closely with and support the CPSA team as they work to create the conditions to enable government and non-government partners/stakeholders to advance the actions within the climate change plan and support progress towards the goals within the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act (EGCCRA) through knowledge mobilization, strategic evaluation and coordination, and direct program implementation. You will work within a diverse team of professionals and will support various projects.

Primary Accountabilities

In this position, you will work closely with the CPSA team. Your primary accountabilities will include:
• Supporting project teams on research, analysis, and policy/program development on climate change strategic priority files. Examples could include:
• Contributing to program/resource development for a new portfolio of resources to help connect Nova Scotians to climate-related funding opportunities (both government and non-government) to implement their priority projects.
• Responding to inquiries from municipalities, community organizations, businesses, and individuals who are seeking support in identifying potential funding sources.
• Assisting with data compilation and analysis for the climate plan annual reporting process.
• Preparing presentations, reports, and other materials for senior leadership.
• Supporting senior staff on policy/program development by conducting jurisdictional scans or other analysis of climate change strategic priority files.
• Occasionally, you will collaborate with other divisions whose policies, and programs intersect with our mandate.

This position may perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

To be eligible for this position, you must currently be enrolled full-time in a related postsecondary program and returning to school in Fall 2025. Related programs might include Social or Environmental Sciences/Studies, Public Administration, Climate Change, Planning, Economics, Business, or another relevant post-secondary concentration. Enrollment in a graduate-level program (e.g. Master’s) is considered an asset. Knowledge of provincial and federal climate change policies, programs and plans is also considered an asset.
Candidates should clearly indicate in their resume any completed course work and/or experience related to: climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate policy issues, climate justice and equity, grant writing, climate funding mechanisms, stakeholder/community engagement, and/or policy analysis.
In addition to the above, the below will be key for success within the position:
• Ability to work in a team environment and willingness to share ideas with colleagues.
• Possess organization, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong research and critical thinking abilities.
• Proficient in using Microsoft office suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams.

Additional Information

Please note, this is a student position with an expected start date of May 5, 2025 and an end date of August 29, 2025.
This position can be based out of Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change’s Halifax office.

What We Offer
• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: HOURLY

Salary Range: $15.42 - $29.11 Hourly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].