Black Youth Planting Their Future - Summer Student - Hiring Pool

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as African Nova Scotian (Black) with genealogical/ancestral connections to a historical African Nova Scotian/Black community; and/or African Nova Scotian (Black) who is a Canadian citizen, whose parent(s)/guardian(s) is(are) of Black African descent; and/or Afro-Caribbean?

See the Nova Scotia Government’s Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

About Us

The Department of Agriculture is partnering with several provincial departments in the Truro/Bible Hill area for summer student positions for Black Youth. We offer exciting career paths, opportunities for advancement, mentorship, training, and professional development in a safe and healthy work environment.

What You Will Do:

You will work as part of a team of professionals to help provide services to Nova Scotians. You will explore and learn about the Department you are working in, which could include serving the public, interacting with industry members, research activities, coordination of meetings or events. You may also have the opportunity learn about the other departments in the Civil Service.  In keeping with the priority of increasing food security for the ANS community, you will participate in agricultural learning opportunities, visit local farms, and see hands-on food production and processing. You will also have the opportunity to visit universities and food labs, where you will learn more about the science behind agriculture.

Example Positions:

1. Department of Agriculture – Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission

You will work as a part of a team of professionals to help clients build a strong and resilient agriculture industry in Nova Scotia.  You will explore and learn about insurance, crop production, accounting, premium rate calculations, and other business risk management tools.

2. Department of Agriculture – Programs Division

Support the Programs Division in reviewing and processing applications, file management, and program promotion. This work involves reviewing applications for completeness, entering application data into the online Grants Management System, reviewing program claims, and entering claim data into the Grants Management System, scanning documents, and maintaining orderly files using all Programs Division naming conventions. This work is suitable for a detail-oriented student who can exercise good judgement when reviewing applications and claim. The student must be able to work independently and hold all information confidential.

3. Department of Agriculture – Marketing and International Business

The Marketing Development Officer supports the department in advancing marketing and promotional initiatives to connect people to Nova Scotia’s agriculture industry and encourage buy local consumption. This is achieved through strategic marketing and development of campaigns and initiatives, working directly with government staff and external partners, maintaining a network of industry partners, and acting as an important source for sound marketing advice. The Marketing Development Officer will work closely with the Buy Local Development Officer and the Manager of Marketing to seek out opportunities and aid in the development of promotional activities across all mediums that builds awareness and encourages consumption of Nova Scotia agri-food and beverage products.

Example Positions Continued:

4. Department of Agriculture - Industry Development

A high school student is requested to assist with Agriculture in the Classroom – NS program. This student will be assisting the staff with packing multiple school programs. The tasks will include inventory of materials for various programs, organizing and sorting of materials, packing of classroom kits for multiple programs and preparing boxes for shipping. There will be some heavy lifting required for this position, a valid driver’s licence is required. A student who is well organized, can work independently and as a team would be an asset. Good computer skills are required including use of Microsoft Excel.

5.Natural Resources & Renewables – Integrated Resource Management – You will be working alongside two students who are studying Natural Resources Management at either the University or Technical College level. As a Forest Resource Worker, you may be involved in timber cruising, harvest and road inspections, silviculture treatment monitoring, wildlife habitat and watercourse site inspections, wildlife surveys, forest research, forest inventory, tree improvement and extension related activities.

6. Department of Community Services – Employment Support, Income Assistant & Administrative Support Assistant – You will assist with caseload maintenance tasks and complete filing and records retention. You will provide coverage of front reception area and interact with the public as well as doing data entry and spreadsheets.

7. Department of Justice – You will assist the divisions within the department in ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. You will help to develop events and activities that will engage staff on EDI and participate and contribute to the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and sub-committee meeting.

8. Service Nova Scotia & Internal Services – As a Customer Service Representative assistant, you will complete some of the motor vehicle transactions and provide quality service to our individual and business customers and you will assist other Customer Service Representatives in their tasks. 

Working Conditions

Remote/In-person: These positions are typically In-Person, however remote options maybe available in certain roles.

Additional Information

This competition is restricted to Youth that are African Nova Scotian or of African Descent in Grades 11, 12 or enrolled in post secondary studies for September 2025

Students are asked to identify their preferred positions based on the positions listed.   

Students are asked to identify if they require transportation assistance.

Contact Info: Natasha Gray (902) 399-5731 (talk & text) or natasha.gray@novascotia.ca

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths