Supports collaborative watershed research and State of the Watershed initiatives through technical data management, GIS support, and Two-Eyed Seeing-informed approaches to environmental stewardship and knowledge systems.
Junior Watershed Researcher - Indigenous Focus
Federal Student Employment Category: Natural & Applied Science Researcher
Employment Status
Full-time, temporary student summer position
Location
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Term
July 2 – August 26, 2026 (8 weeks)
Compensation
$21–$23/hour | 37 hours/week
POSITION SUMMARY
SEAWA is seeking a technically capable and detail-oriented student as a member of the NextGEN Watershed Team to support watershed science, environmental data management, and State of the Watershed (SoW) work during the summer field season.
This position focuses primarily on technical data management, environmental dataset organization, GIS support, and applied watershed research while working within a Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) approach. The successful applicant will assist with compiling, organizing, documenting, and preparing watershed-related information that supports SEAWA’s stewardship initiatives, mapping projects, and collaborative watershed planning activities across southeast Alberta.
The position works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary NextGEN Watershed Team composed of students and staff with diverse academic backgrounds, lived experiences, and worldviews. Team members are expected to contribute respectfully within collaborative and Two-Eyed Seeing-supported research environments that recognize multiple ways of understanding, observing, and relating to watershed systems.
The role is best suited to students with strong analytical and technical skills who are comfortable working with structured information, environmental datasets, scientific documentation, and spatial data systems. Applicants should be able to work carefully with technical information while maintaining organized records, metadata, and traceable documentation practices while respecting permissions, context, and community-informed knowledge practices.
Students will gain practical experience working within applied watershed science, GIS and spatial data management, technical research, stewardship programming, and collaborative environmental planning processes.
ABOUT SEAWA
The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance (SEAWA) is the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for southeast Alberta. SEAWA works collaboratively with municipalities, Indigenous communities, landowners, stewardship organizations, researchers, agencies, and community members to support watershed stewardship, knowledge development, monitoring, and long-term watershed planning across the South Saskatchewan River sub-basin and Pakowki Lake watershed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Data Management & State of the Watershed Support
Compile, organize, and maintain watershed datasets, technical references, literature, and supporting documentation.
Assist with the organization of environmental, stewardship, and community-informed watershed information where appropriate.
Support dataset traceability, metadata organization, and internal documentation practices.
Prepare tables, summaries, figures, and structured technical materials for internal use.
GIS & Spatial Data Support
Assist with the preparation and updating of watershed maps and spatial data products.
Support geodatabase organization, spatial file management, and metadata tracking.
Contribute to the organization and archiving of historic mapping and monitoring records.
Follow approved permissions and data-access requirements for sensitive or restricted information.
Applied Research & Technical Documentation
Conduct targeted literature scans and technical background research related to watershed indicators and stewardship initiatives.
Prepare concise technical summaries and briefing materials under staff supervision.
Support scientific documentation, data quality organization, and information management activities.
Field & Stewardship Assistance
Assist staff during field monitoring, stewardship activities, and community engagement events as required.
Support field documentation, logistics, and post-field data organization.
Follow SEAWA safety procedures, land access requirements, permissions, and data integrity standards.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Applicants must have at least two years of post-secondary education in a relevant technical field, such as:
Environmental Science
Geography or GIS
Earth or Environmental Systems Science
Ecology or Hydrology
Environmental Engineering
Computer Science or Data Science
Statistics or related technical disciplines
Graduate students are welcome to apply.
Technical Skills & Competencies
Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS
Strong organizational and technical writing skills
Ability to work with structured datasets, tables, and technical documentation
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Experience with coding, scripting, databases, statistical analysis, or environmental data processing is considered an asset
Ability to work both independently and within collaborative project environments
Ability to work respectfully within collaborative and multi-knowledge research environments
Additional Requirements
Legally entitled to work in Canada
Ability to work in-person in Medicine Hat, Alberta
Valid Class 5 driver’s licence considered an asset
*SEAWA is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace.