Research Assistant (Marketing & Communications)

SARCAN Recycling; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a progressive organization dedicated to environmental protection and community development. As a Summer Research Assistant, you will play a vital role in expanding recycling services across Saskatchewan. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful research, collaborate with diverse teams, and contribute to a greener future. With a focus on inclusivity and support, SARCAN Recycling fosters a workplace where your contributions truly matter. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to make a difference, this role is perfect for you!

Benefits

Competitive Wages

Inclusive Workplace

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Community Engagement Activities

Qualifications

• Post-secondary students or new graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Education in marketing and communications is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on new recycling streams for SARCAN Recycling.
• Perform environmental scans of other jurisdictions for recycling trends.
• Assist with promotional activities for recycling programs.

Skills

Research Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Data Collection

Problem-Solving Skills

Organizational Skills

Microsoft 365 Proficiency

Education

Relevant Post-Secondary Education

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Location: Saskatoon Head Office (111 Cardinal Crescent)
Type: Temporary, Full-time; 12-Week Term position starting as soon as possible
Minimum Experience: Relevant post-secondary education in or a combination of education and experience
Apply By: May 7, 2025

Note: This position is funded by Canada Summer Jobs. To be hired for this position, the following criteria must be met:

• Is between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
• Is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under theImmigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27*;and
• is legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial / territorial legislation and regulations.

*International students are not eligible. Recent immigrants are eligible if they are Canadian citizens or permanent residents*

A career that counts.

SARCAN Recycling provides environmental protection, employment creation and economic development through a province-wide network for recycling beverage containers, electronics, paint, batteries and select household packaging. We were founded in 1988 by SARC, a provincial association that provides services to nonprofit organizations to expand their potential and support the work they do in their communities.

At SARCAN, we create meaningful careers that matter in communities all across the province. We are seeking a progressive individual to add to our success as a Summer Research Assistant. The Summer Research Assistant reports to the Manager of Communications & Culture.

Help us create a greener, more inclusive future for Saskatchewan by joining our team made up of people of all abilities.

At SARCAN we offer team members many opportunities, including:

• An opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your fellow team members, our customers, and our environment.
• An opportunity to succeed in a fun, supportive, accommodating and inclusive workplace.
• An opportunity to learn through many hands on and online educational opportunities.
• An opportunity to be rewarded fairly and equitably through competitive wages and benefits.
• An opportunity to be a part of a Saskatchewan tradition and one of the Canada’s most successful recycling systems.

The life of a SARCAN Summer Research Assistant:

Each and every SARCAN team member is an important part of our team and our community. As SARCAN’s Summer Research Assistant, you will be responsible for:

• Completing comprehensive research studies on new recycling streams for SARCAN Recycling. As our recycling system seeks to expand our services to conserve more hard-to-recycle resources, the Summer Research Assistant will be involved in discovering what other products and resources could be recycled at SARCAN.
• Performing an environmental scan of other jurisdictions in North America and Europe to discover potential new recycling streams, as well as assessing the recyclability of materials, and the stability of recycling markets.
• Through research and customer engagement activities in Saskatchewan, the Summer Research Assistant will help predict future recycling trends and prepare our system to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Researching extended producer responsibility models in jurisdictions outside of Saskatchewan, as well as determining if existing EPR programs wish to partner with SARCAN in the future on program expansion.
• Working with the General Manager of Capital improvements, this position will also help complete an organization and facilities readiness assessment for future growth and innovation. This assessment will be completed for each potential new recyclable material, and will involve cataloging all current SARCAN facilities, identifying safe work procedures, determining labour requirements (through Time + Motion Studies), identifying capital requirements, and determining capacity/barriers to expansion of recycling services.
• This position will also assist SARCAN’s Communications & Culture team with creating many more happy returns to our recycling depots through promotional activities. This will include creating promotional materials and participating in engagement activities for extended recycling services, such as our new household packaging recycling programs, event recycling stations, workplace and office space recycling stations, and school recycling efforts. They will also help expand rates of recycling in communities that currently do not have SARCAN Recycling depots in their community by encouraging the establishment of Community Refund Centres. The Summer Research Assistant will be part of the SARCAN Collections team, working with a variety of members from this management team.
• Completes other duties and projects as assigned
• Becoming the biggest recycling expert among all of your family and friends

What are the skills you must have to perform this role?
To be successful as a Summer Research Assistant at SARCAN, you will need to:

• Relevant post-secondary education, or a combination of education and experience; post-secondary students or new graduates are encouraged to apply
• Education and experience in marketing and communications is an asset
• Proven research skills
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in data collection and analysis techniques
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills including the ability to consolidate, analyze, and present generated data
• A strong detail-oriented and resourceful mindset
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Outstanding communication and listening skills
• Exhibit a strong degree of professionalism, while remaining highly-personable and approachable in the company of people of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds
• Exhibit strong ethical conduct; acting with integrity, sensitivity, and confidentiality
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft 365; comfortable learning new technical systems as needed.
• Valid class 5 driver’s license; frequent travel throughout Saskatchewan is required
• Provide a satisfactory criminal record as a condition of employment

Are you interested in joining our team?
SARC/SARCAN Recycling is committed to advancing a diverse and inclusive environment. In fact, we were founded on these very values. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and life experiences. We believe that each team member’s differences are what bring us together, deepening understanding and respect for each other. We acknowledge there are barriers many individuals have faced and still face in employment. SARC/ SARCAN Recycling creates workplaces that are open, inclusive, and where all employees can contribute.

SARC/SARCAN will reasonably accommodate applicants’ needs, upon request, throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please contact[emailprotected] with any accommodation requests or inquiries and a member of our Human Resources team will respond to you.

If you are interested in a career filled with opportunities that makes a difference in the lives of people all across Saskatchewan, please apply online by May 7, 2025.

We thank everyone for your interest in this position, however, only qualified applicants will be contacted.