Supports watershed literacy and public engagement through storytelling, multimedia content, science communication, and community-focused environmental education.
Junior Watershed Science Communications Assistant (Journalism / AV Stream)
Federal Student Employment Category: Communications, Media & Public Engagement
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 creative, organized, and community-oriented student as a member of the NextGEN Watershed Team to support watershed literacy, public storytelling, and communications during the summer field season.
This position focuses primarily on public-facing communication, journalism, multimedia production, and watershed literacy content development. The successful applicant will assist with creating accessible materials that support SEAWA’s stewardship initiatives, community engagement activities, State of the Watershed (SoW) communication, and collaborative watershed planning work 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-informed communication and engagement environments that recognize multiple ways of understanding, observing, and relating to watershed systems.
The role is best suited to students with strong communication and storytelling skills who are comfortable translating technical or scientific information into accessible public language through writing, photography, video, audio, and digital media. Applicants should be able to work carefully with interviews, permissions, media documentation, and public-facing communications while maintaining organized records and respectful communication practices.
Students will gain practical experience working within watershed communications, multimedia storytelling, science communication, stewardship programming, public engagement, 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
Storytelling & Literacy Content
Develop short articles, fact sheets, and accessible explanations of watershed topics.
Translate technical information from staff, consultants, and partners into clear public language.
Interview staff, partners, researchers, and Knowledge Keepers where appropriate and with required permissions.
Support the creation of scripts and content for short videos, audio segments, and literacy materials.
Multimedia Production & Communications Support
Film and edit short educational videos for social media, workshops, and outreach activities.
Record and edit audio clips, interviews, or short podcast-style content for SEAWA literacy initiatives.
Photograph events, field work, stewardship projects, and community activities.
Assist staff with website content, social media materials, visual assets, and communications planning.
Support public engagement activities, workshops, and Reading Room programming initiatives.
Records, Permissions & Documentation
Maintain organized media files, consent records, and communication materials.
Support ethical storytelling, documentation, and respectful communication practices.
Follow SEAWA communication procedures, privacy expectations, and permissions requirements.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Applicants must have completed at least two years of post-secondary education in a relevant field such as:
Journalism
Communications or Public Relations
Media Production
Digital Storytelling
Film or Audio Production
Marketing or Public Engagement
Environmental Communications or related disciplines
Graduate students are welcome to apply.
Technical Skills & Competencies
Experience with video, audio, or multimedia editing software
Strong writing and interviewing skills for public audiences
Photography and visual storytelling experience are considered an asset
Ability to translate technical or scientific information into an accessible language
Strong organizational and communication abilities
Ability to work both independently and within collaborative project environments
Ability to work respectfully with community members, partners, and diverse knowledge systems
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.