We need the ocean. The ocean needs us.
Role Summary
As an Outreach Intern, you will help connect communities to environmental protection by delivering interactive outreach experiences and shoreline conservation events. You will engage participants in learning about climate change, marine ecosystems, and plastic pollution while supporting volunteer mobilization and community-based restoration activities. This entry-level role will provide structured training, supportive supervision, and meaningful pathways into green careers by building skills in public engagement, field-based data collection, and conservation action.
*Please note this is a part-time (30 hours per week) short term 16 week contract with no guarantee of extension*
Who You Are
You are passionate about environmental conservation, community engagement, and creating meaningful experiences that inspire action. You enjoy working collaboratively, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, and bringing energy and curiosity to hands-on outreach, education, and shoreline conservation activities.
What You Will Be Doing
Shoreline Champion Events and Conservation Action
- Plan and host Shoreline Champion events that actively reduce plastic and other pollutants from aquatic environments.
- Engage with volunteers, community members, and partners to promote participation in shoreline conservation.
- Collect cleanup data, contributing to national tracking of plastic pollution and informing conservation efforts and policy advocacy.
- Assist with inventory tracking and logistics for cleanup supplies and support impact reporting to demonstrate environmental outcomes.
- Model environmental stewardship practices and help participants understand how cleanup activities connect to broader green-sector career pathways.
Environmental Education and Outreach
- Deliver interactive outreach programming — including the Ocean Wise Sea Dome and other conservation education experiences — in schools, community spaces, and public events.
- Facilitate accessible learning activities focused on ocean health, climate change, marine ecosystems, and individual actions that support environmental protection.
- Support the delivery of additional education initiatives such as AquaClass virtual programs, youth workshops, and community engagement events to extend program reach.
- Create welcoming learning environments for participants of all ages and backgrounds, adapting communication to suit different audiences.
Program Support, Logistics & Administration
- Assist with daily setup and pack-down of outreach equipment, educational materials, and program supplies, ensuring items are cared for and stored properly.
- Support transportation and basic logistics for local outreach activities (e.g., loading/unloading vehicles, preparing materials, completing checklists).
- Complete activity logs, participation counts, cleanup data sheets, and simple reporting tasks to support program evaluation and accountability.
Collaboration, Training & Development
- Work collaboratively with other interns, educators, and community partners to deliver high-quality outreach and conservation programming.
- Participate in training on facilitation, safety, environmental content, equipment use, and inclusive engagement.
- Receive regular mentorship and supervision to build confidence, transferable skills, and experience aligned with green-sector career pathways.
What You Bring
- Interest in working outdoors in a variety of environments (forests, shorelines, parks, and community spaces) and supporting hands-on activities such as basic data collection, cleanup efforts, and field observations.
- Curiosity about environmental issues—including watersheds, marine ecosystems, climate impacts, pollution, and stewardship—and a willingness to learn through training.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a small, field-based team and contribute positively to setup, cleanup, and daily program operations.
- Comfortable engaging with community members, volunteers, and youth in a friendly, informed, and inclusive manner.
- Ability to participate in the physical aspects of outreach and conservation work, including walking, light lifting, varied weather, and waterfront conditions.
- Assets:
- Experience with communications, social media, digital content creation or marketing.
- Standard First Aid or willingness to obtain prior to program start.
- Class 5 driver's license.
- Access to a reliable vehicle.
How You Will Be Measured
- You support smooth, well-organized Shoreline Champion events and help maintain positive relationships with volunteers and partners.
- You contribute accurate cleanup data and activity records to the Ocean Wise Shoreline Litter Database.
- You deliver engaging outreach and education experiences, reflected in participant and community feedback.
- You help achieve program goals, including event delivery targets and meaningful environmental outcomes.
- You follow all safety procedures and help maintain the Sea Dome, vehicles, and outreach equipment in good working condition.
What We Offer
This part-time, short-term contract position offers:
- An onsite, team-based working environment, with the option to work remotely, when not required on site, or in person in our beautiful downtown Vancouver head office
- An hourly rate of $22.00 per hour in line with market data for not-for-profit organizations
- Access to our employee assistance program from Day 1
- 4% pay in lieu of vacation days
- 5 paid sick days
- Paid Statutory and General Holidays each calendar year
- Professional development opportunities
- The opportunity to be part of a team that’s helping to save the ocean!
Where and How You’ll Work
This is a part-time role (approximately 30 hours per week) with flexibility required to support community events, shoreline cleanups, and education activations, which may take place on occasional evenings or weekends. The position is based in Vancouver, with a mix of in-person outreach across the Lower Mainland and optional remote work on non-program days.
The role involves regular travel within the region to schools, shoreline sites, and community locations. A valid driver’s licence is required.
This position requires comfort spending extended periods outdoors in variable weather, standing or walking for longer durations, and lifting outreach or cleanup materials (up to ~20 kg to chest height). It also includes periods of computer-based work, planning, and virtual meetings.
Who We Are
Ocean Wise is a global conversation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Learn more about us at ocean.org.
Inclusion and Diversity
At Ocean Wise, we believe that a welcoming and diverse workplace fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented. We encourage applications from individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. Ocean Wise encourages applications from youth facing barriers to employment—including newcomers, Indigenous youth, racialized youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, youth with disabilities, and those with limited work experience—and provides structured training, mentorship, and supportive supervision to support success in this entry-level role.
We value human connection and fairness in our recruitment process. We do not use AI, algorithms, or automated tools to screen or evaluate candidates. All applications are reviewed by our hiring team to ensure each candidate is considered thoughtfully and equitably.
