Job Description

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is the world's freshwater laboratory. A series of 58 lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada, IISD-ELA is the only place in the world where scientists can research on and manipulate real lakes to build a more accurate and complete picture of what human activity is doing to freshwater lakes. The findings from over 50 years of ground-breaking research have rewritten environmental policy around the world--from mitigating algal blooms to reducing how much mercury gets into our waterways--and aim to keep fresh water clean around the world for generations to come.
IISD-ELA is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)--an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg situated on Treaty 1 Territory--the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininiw (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe Cree), Dene, and Dakota Nations, and the homeland of the Red River Metis Nation. The IISD-ELA field station is situated on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 3 Territory and the homeland of the Metis Nation.
About the position
The unique nature of the IISD-ELA facility and our whole-ecosystem approach to freshwater science provides an opportunity to deliver a different kind of educational programming and community relationship building for a wide variety of audiences. IISD-ELA aims to inspire and train the general public and the next generation of freshwater enthusiasts, providing a platform for science education, collaboration, and innovation. This season, IISD-ELA is seeking a motivated individual to help attain that goal through work on various projects with our education, Indigenous relations, and communications teams.
Responsibilities:

• Coordinating education events and programs at the IISD-ELA facility.
• Supporting the coordination and delivery of education and Indigenous relations programming at ELA including tours, field courses, ceremonies, presentations, etc.
• Communicating IISD-ELA goals, current and past research, initiatives, impact, history, etc., during tours, community events, and other opportunities.
• Developing content and materials with support from the Education and Relations Officers to be used for education related to ELA science and its relevance to the broader public.
• Developing and delivering presentations to local schools and First Nations communities.
• Networking and relationship building with teachers, partners, and the general public.
• Working with IISD Communications staff on public engagement materials related to ELA science, as well as promoting ELA through various social media platforms.
• Providing general research support to various teams as needed, including through field sampling and/or data entry and analysis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
The Education and Relations Assistant position is competitive, and the qualifying candidate must have the following qualifications:

• Enrolment in or a completed degree/diploma in a university or college program leading to a degree in education, communications, science, environment, or related discipline.
• Experience in the field(s) of communications,outreach, event planning, public speaking, interpretation, and/or public education.
• A strong interest or experience in scientific communications and the value of communicating science and environmental topics to the general public and/or youth audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Experience operating small motorized vessels with an outboard motor is an asset.
• Ability to do fieldwork involving manual labour, such as hiking and lifting heavy objects (up to 20 kgs).
• Willing to work long hours in diverse weather conditions.
• Willing to live in shared accommodations in a remote location.
• Knowledge of French or Anishinaabemowin is an asset.

Must possess or be willing to obtain a valid:

• First Aid/CPR certificate
• Pleasure Craft Operators card
• Driver's license
• ATV/UTV certification
• Valid criminal record check and vulnerable sector verification.

Work Conditions
The IISD-ELA research site is located remotely in northwestern Ontario, off the Trans-Canada Highway 17, at the end of a 30km gravel road (maintained, with restricted access). Transportation to and from the field station to Kenora and Winnipeg will be available on weekends. The IISD-ELA provides on-site living accommodations and food. Accommodations include a shared bedroom, gender-inclusive showers and toilets, and common lounge areas. Bed linens and laundry facilities are provided on-site.
There will be ~60 students, staff, and researchers living and working at the IISD-ELA research station over the course of the field season, with our Education & Relations team supporting additional day tours and overnight field trips/courses, along with our Communications team arranging media presence (i.e., photographers, videographers, and journalists) at the site. Currently under construction is our Centre for Climate and Lake Learning, which also involves numerous building professionals, materials, and equipment coming to and working on the site.
More information about the IISD Experimental Lakes Area organization and our research facility can be found at .
Term: The contract is for a 4-month term, from May 4 to August 28, with an opportunity for possible extension in the fall.
Compensation: CAD $726.06 to $1,119.75 per week, depending on experience and education.
Employment Type: Existing position (recurring seasonal role)
Application deadline: February 16, 2026 @ 8:00 AM CST.
Application Procedure
All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.
Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.
Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.
Please include the following:

• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• A current academic transcript (can be a web transcript; please include it within the CV document)
• A cover letter (500 words maximum) outlining previous experience(s) in areas related to the position.

(optional)
Resumes will be kept on file for one year.
We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only candidates advancing in the recruitment will be contacted for an interview. We kindly request that candidates do not pursue further contact.
IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire when you apply.
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Skills Required