Aqualitas Inc. Hiring for BIOTALENT INTERN – QA at Brooklyn, NS Full Time

Aqualitas is a licensed producer of medical and adult-use cannabis distributed across Canada, with our corporate Head Office located in Bedford, Nova Scotia, and our Production Facility located in Brooklyn, Queens County, Nova Scotia. As Canada’s first Clean Green Certified producer, we are committed to quality, sustainability and balance; in our products, our operations and our people. The Clean Green Certification not only requires that we utilize certified organic inputs, pesticides and cleaners, but that we also demonstrate a commitment to sustainable production and post‐production practices (e.g. recyclable packaging, lowering our carbon footprint) as well as fair hiring practices including diversity and inclusion mandates.

At Aqualitas, sustainability is built into the very fabric of our operations. Our pioneering cultivation system utilizes a unique combination of organic living soil made in Nova Scotia, and nutrient-rich water provided by our 800+ living koi fish. This organically‐certified aquaponics process couples indoor recirculating aquaculture (fish cultivation) with horticulture (plant cultivation) in a sustainable ecosystem designed to use less water and less energy compared to traditional indoor growing methods.

Facilitated by a consistent state of research and development, our world-class production teams are always searching for innovative ways to grow premium cannabis with the fewest energy inputs and the most eco-friendly methods possible. Currently, our Research & Development teams are pursuing various projects designed to: optimize fish and plant nutrition, develop proprietary fertilizer recipes from solid fish waste, recycle HVAC water and streamline production practices to further improve system sustainability and decrease our overall environmental impact.

BIOTALENT INTERN – QUALITY ASSURANCE

Overview:
Aqualitas is interested in offering a 6‐month intern position through BioTalent’s Green Jobs – Science and Technology Internship Program to work closely with our Quality Assurance department to help us establish our current single use testing/monitoring equipment use and make recommendations for improving efficiency and decreasing our waste.

To increase the training value of the internship, interns will get exposure to a variety of departments

over their 6‐month term (e.g., aquaponics, cultivation, post‐processing, sanitation, product development, quality assurance and edible processing), with additional job-shadowing/training opportunities arranged based on the individual intern’s interests.

This position will help the intern develop the environmental skills, knowledge, and experience to produce and perform quality assurance activities on consumer products made using environmentally sustainable methods in rapidly expanding ‘Green’ industries (cannabis and sustainable aquaculture), to quantify waste used by the Quality Assurance department, and to identify and recommend methods for single use product efficiency. The Intern will have two Key Individuals within Aqualitas that will ensure that the training and development goals outlined in their learning plan are completed.

Work Performed:
Performing validation of cleaning procedures and cleaning chemicals to make the process more efficient and to make recommendations on ways to reduce waste.

Maintaining operations by strictly adhering at all times to company, industry and regulatory Policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), Good Production Practices (GPP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and reporting any required changes.

Maintaining databases by entering new analytical results and QC testing data.

Collecting, entering and analyzing data from, as well as inspecting and monitoring as required for, various departments (Packaging, Sanitation, Aquaponics, Cultivation), including:

Trimming and drying sample collection and monitoring

AQL in-process inspection for finished product packaging/shipping.

Reviewing data for deficiencies and working towards continuous improvement.

Resolving deficiencies by following SOPs and consulting with QA Manager/QAP regarding incomplete documentation.

Providing appropriate documents to Production/Sanitation team when needed.

Additional QA tasks as required, including (but not limited to):

Conducting line clearances and swabbing on rooms and equipment.

Site audit activities and status labelling. Covering other QA shifts when required.

Qualifications/Requirements:
Applicants must complete the BioTalent Participant Information Form and be approved. This form will be shared with the shortlisted candidates.

Experience in horticulture, aquaculture, cannabis or a processing environment considered an asset.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative, team-oriented environment

Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

Understanding of GMP standards considered an asset.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Experience with spreadsheets (e.g., Excel), data entry, and data analysis considered an asset.

Ability to perform manual labour tasks required for the proper management of commercial scale indoor growing including ability to stand and/or sit for long periods, and ability to lift material and supplies overhead.

Comfort level working in groups or individually.

Comfort level of working with groups to collaborate and communicate quality principles.

Keen recordkeeping, editing and documentation abilities.

Education/Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biology or Environmental Science, or diploma and related manufacturing experience.

Understanding sound quality assurance principles, statistical process control, sanitation.

Good understanding and experience of GPP/EU-GMP, HACCP would be an asset.

Other Details:
Location: Brooklyn, Queens County, NS (required)

Compensation: $15/hr

Status and Hours: 6‐month term, full‐time (40 hours per week)

Closing date: Sept. 15th, 2021

Successful applicants must provide a satisfactory background and reference check.

Aqualitas welcomes and encourages diversity. Should you require an accommodation in any aspect of our selection process, please let us know.

We appreciate the interest of all candidates; however, we will only be contacting those that best fit our requirements. Resumes will be kept for consideration for six months.