Program Assistant (Sustainable Labs Intern)
McGill University
- Sherbrooke, QC
- $16.06 per hour
- Training
- Part-time
McGill Office of SustainabilityPosition Summary:Program Assistant C (Sustainable Labs Intern).CONTEXTThe mission of is to create a culture of sustainability at McGill and to embed climate action and sustainability into all of the University’s activities. MOOS aims to identify, connect, and enhance efforts to incorporate principles of sustainability (ecological, social, and economic) into research, education, connectivity, operations, and governance & administration at McGill. We provide the institutional memory and knowledge, the network of partnerships, the framework for sustainability at McGill ( ), and the seed funding ( ) to facilitate the sustainability efforts of students, faculty, and staff.McGill’s lab-based research and teaching activities use a tremendous amount of energy and water, and in the process generates much waste and greenhouse gas emissions. We are working to embed a culture of sustainability in McGill’s labs, and to enable our lab-based community to take actions that reduce the negative environmental impacts of their work and maintain our record of research and teaching excellence.The intern will support the implementation of sustainable lab measures that advance McGill’s progress towards Climate & Sustainability targets in the areas of Research & Education, Buildings & Utilities, Waste Management, Procurement and Community Building. This includes managing the sustainable lab engagement programs (i.e. the lab certification program and McGill’s participation in the International Lab Freezer Challenge), coordinating a team of Sustainable Lab Ambassadors and supporting lab sustainability projects and impact monitoring.WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
- A passionate work environment with a supportive team that is collaborative, thoughtful, solutions-oriented, evidenced-based, inclusive and accountable
- Personal and professional growth through the careful setting of your own goals
- Meaningful work that will contribute to the growth of the sustainability movement at McGill
- Being able to be, first and foremost, a student
- Support the coordination and promotion of the Sustainable Lab Certification program and the annual International Freezer Challenge at McGill. This includes:
- Monitoring the sustainable labs resource email account.
- Monitoring and reporting on sustainable lab engagement levels, feedback and impacts.
- Guiding and sharing documents and resources to support labs throughout the certification and recertification process.
- Coordinate a team of sustainable lab ambassadors to support lab engagement programs and the lab waste project though peer‐to‐peer‐education and awareness‐building among lab users:
- Training of ambassadors in preparation for outreach events, for example, sustainable labs Lunch & Learns, lab waste presentations, tabling at orientations and research expos.
- Developing and coordinating outreach tasks, event schedules and regular team meetings for ambassadors.
- Collaborate with MOOS staff and other interns as necessary on communications to support outreach for the Freezer Challenge and Sustainable Labs Certification.
- Support the development of resources such as guides, checklists for lab users (students, faculty and staff) interested in implementing sustainable lab actions.
- Support the monitoring of lab sustainability metrics, including:
- Number and type of labs and the space occupied
- Amounts and types and lab waste generated
- Lab energy and water consumption
- Reliable, with strong organization and time management skills;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills;
- Ability to work independently; monitor, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks;
- Demonstrated experience with engagement and outreach;
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust and rapport with colleagues, students; and faculty;
- Experience with lab work and lab procedures;
- Knowledge of sustainability initiatives and groups at McGill;
- Experience in coordinating and mobilizing volunteers;
- Experience with or interest in sustainability-related research and education;