Type: summer employment / summer student position
Organization: Ottawa Riverkeeper http://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
POSITION
• This is a fixed term contract position (12-16 weeks)
• 35 hours/week; must be flexible with evening and occasional weekend
availability
• Preferred start date: May 6, 2013
• Reports to the Executive Director
POSITION SUMMARY
Ottawa Riverkeeper is seeking an outgoing and bilingual student
(English/French) to join our team this summer. The Swim Guide
Coordinator will conduct beach research, enter data into the
WATERKEEPER SWIM GUIDE©, carry out public outreach at beaches in the
National Capital region and write articles for our newsletter.
The Swim Guide (http://www.theswimguide.org) is a website and app that
makes it easy to find and learn about your favorite swimming beaches.
The app uses real time E.coli data collected by local health
authorities to flag beaches that are safe or unsafe for swimming, or
have no sampling programs. While Swim Guide does not consider toxic
pollution or other potential environmental concerns, it is a useful
tool for people who want to avoid swimming at beaches prone to
bacterial contamination.
This position is funded in part by HRDC. To be eligible you must be:
• a post-secondary student
• between the ages of 15 and 30
• planning to return to full-time school in the fall.
The successful candidate will work 35 hours per week for 12-14 weeks.
Evening meetings and some weekend work may be required.
ABOUT OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER
At Ottawa Riverkeeper we are working to protect your rights to swim,
drink and fish the Ottawa River and its tributaries. We work
collaboratively using science to guide our actions. Ottawa Riverkeeper
is a licensed member of Waterkeeper Alliance, an international
coalition of grass-roots water protection organizations headed by
renowned conservationist Robert Kennedy Jr. There are 200 Waterkeeper
organizations working around the world to defend their local river,
lake or bay.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES of the SWIM GUIDE COORDINATOR
• Inventory all municipal beaches in the Ottawa River watershed, in
both ON and QC
• Visit beaches in the National Capital Region to take photographs,
make observations and speak with locals
• Write interesting and descriptive short articles about the beaches
on the river, interviewing local river watchers when necessary
• Contact authorities responsible for monitoring the beaches to learn
about monitoring methods and results
• Each morning, post water quality monitoring results to the Swim
Guide for applicable beaches
• Work with the Director of Communications to promote the Swim Guide
• Enter historical beach data (where it exists) into the Swim Guide
• Develop fact sheets about water quality and beaches
• Visit beaches throughout the summer to raise awareness about the
Swim Guide and the work of Ottawa Riverkeeper and to conduct surveys
with swimmers
REQUIREMENTS
• Post-secondary student in environmental science, geography,
communications, journalism, marketing or business
• Bilingual imperative (English and French): oral and written
• Must be a good writer and not shy to approach strangers for a conversation
• Must have excellent computer skills
• Mapping experience and knowledge an asset
• Previous or similar work or volunteer experience
• Must provide references (employment or education)
• Must be between the ages of 15 and 30 and planning to return to
full-time school
• Demonstrated interest in water issues and sustainability
WORKING CONDITIONS
• 60% office environment / 40% in field
• Flexibility required for occasional evening and weekend work,
subject to “time off in lieu” policy
• Must be willing to travel locally to beaches, events and meetings, as
required
APPLICATION PROCESS
We will accept applications before April 18, 2015. Please submit your
resume and cover letter by email to:
lwessman@ottawariverkeeper.ca
Position start date: May 4, 2015
We thank all applicants for their interest, but advise that only those
selected for interviews will be contacted.
