May 3, 2022
Updated on May 11, 2022 to reflect new deadline extension.
East Coast Environmental Law is inviting applications for two summer student positions funded by the Canada Summer Jobs Program.
Scroll down for a description of each position, click here for a PDF copy of the job posting for an Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Research Assistant, or click here for a PDF copy of the job posting for a general Legal Research Assistant.
Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Research Assistant
East Coast Environmental Law invites applications to join our summer student team as an Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Research Assistant.
About the Position
East Coast Environmental Law is a regional environmental law charity that provides public-interest environmental law services throughout Atlantic Canada. As part of our work, we engage in public legal education to make environmental laws and legal processes more accessible and easier to understand.
One of our public legal education offerings is our “Summary Series”, which is a series of short guides that explain environmental law processes and topical issues in environmental law. We have begun working on new Summary Series materials that will address Aboriginal and Indigenous law in environmental contexts, focusing in particular on how constitutional protections for Aboriginal and treaty rights in Atlantic Canada shape Indigenous peoples’ access to natural resources and engagement in environmental decision-making in this region.
The Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Research Assistant will work with staff to conduct legal research and analysis to further the development of these new Summary Series materials. In particular, the Research Assistant will research case law and treaty contexts that shape relevant legal landscapes in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Applicant Qualifications and Job Requirements
This Research Assistant position requires legal research training. The successful applicant will therefore be a current law student or recent graduate of a law program.
The Research Assistant’s primary responsibilities will include legal research, legal analysis, and legal writing for a public audience that is not legally trained. Strong writing skills will be an asset. The successful candidate must be able to work independently and attend weekly virtual meetings with East Coast Environmental Law staff.
Because this position is funded by the Canada Summer Jobs Program, applicants must conform to the program’s eligibility requirements. The successful candidate must: be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment period; be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment period; and, have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations. International students are not eligible.
Employment Period and Remuneration
The employment period will be eight (8) weeks, with an anticipated start date of May 30th and an anticipated end date of July 22nd. Some flexibility on start and end dates may be possible.
Remuneration is for 35 hours per week at $15 per hour.
Application Details
To apply, please send a cover letter and curriculum vitae combined as a single PDF document to [email protected] Applications should be addressed to:
Lisa Mitchell, Executive Director and Senior Lawyer
East Coast Environmental Law Association
6061 University Ave., PO Box 15000
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants.
The application deadline is Monday, May 9th, 2022, at 5:00 PM (Atlantic).
Legal Research Assistant
East Coast Environmental Law invites applications to join our summer student team as a Legal Research Assistant.
About the Position
East Coast Environmental Law is a regional environmental law charity that provides public-interest environmental law services throughout Atlantic Canada. East Coast Environmental Law staff respond to community inquiries, carry out legal and policy research, and provide educational resources designed to make environmental laws more accessible and easier to understand.
The Legal Research Assistant will work with staff to conduct legal research and analysis on a variety of environmental law issues.
Applicant Qualifications and Job Requirements
This Research Assistant position requires legal research training. The successful applicant will therefore be a current law student or recent graduate of a law program.
The Research Assistant’s primary responsibilities will include:
- Legal research and analysis: conducting research on legislation, case law, and scholarship on environmental law topics;
- Legal writing: writing, editing, and producing legal memos and other written materials, likely including legal information materials prepared for a public audience;
- Collaboration: engaging with staff, clients, community members, and project partners through meetings and telephone calls;
- Project management and reflection: working independently; reporting regularly to staff; attending weekly virtual meetings with staff; managing time effectively; preparing a written reflection (to be published as a blog post) on the employment experience.
Because this position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program, applicants must conform to the program’s eligibility requirements. The successful candidate must: be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment; be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and, have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations. International students are not eligible.
Employment Period and Remuneration
The employment period will be eight (8) weeks, with an anticipated start date of May 30th and an anticipated end date of July 22nd. Some flexibility on start and end dates may be possible.
Remuneration is for 35 hours per week at $15 per hour.
Application Details
To apply, please send a cover letter and curriculum vitae combined as a single PDF document to [email protected] Applications should be addressed to:
Lisa Mitchell, Executive Director and Senior Lawyer
East Coast Environmental Law Association
6061 University Ave., PO Box 15000
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
DEADLINE EXTENSION: The new application deadline is Monday, May 16th, 2022, at 5:00 PM (Atlantic).