Marine Science & Education In-Person Internship

                                         Marine Science & Education In-Person Internship

In-person interns are essential to Seaside Sustainability’s hands-on programs running smoothly. These dedicated individuals play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of our organization's mission by taking on a wide range of responsibilities in and around the Gloucester, MA, area. During their time at Seaside Sustainability, members of our in-person team will work on the following programs and tasks:

• Seabin and Skimmer Management (Daily): Seabins are deployed to filter marine debris from the water, requiring regular emptying to ensure continuous operation and effectiveness in removing trash.
• PixieDrone (Weekly): This device, which can operate autonomously or via remote control, is used to collect floating waste from water bodies, equipped with a video camera to monitor waste conditions and avoid obstacles.
• Mudflat Acidification Testing (Weekly): Interns conduct tests on CO2 and pH levels in mudflats to understand their impact on marine life and the seafood market. Data collected is sent to Salem Sound Coastwatch for analysis.
• Microplastics in Sand (Weekly): Research is conducted on the presence of microplastics in beach sand by sieving sand samples to separate microplastics from larger particles.
• Coastal Cleanups (Biweekly): These cleanups help reduce marine debris accumulation. Interns organize and document the waste collected during these events.
• Company Coastal Cleanups (Biweekly): Seaside Sustainability hosts cleanup events for companies, encouraging corporate teams to participate in environmental conservation activities.
• Sunscreen Dispensers (Biweekly): Interns maintain sunscreen dispensers at local beaches, promoting skin cancer prevention among beachgoers.
• Marine Debris Trawls (Monthly): Using manta nets, interns collect and analyze microplastics from the water, following NOAA standards.
• Compostable in Marine Environment (Monthly): This project tests biodegradable plastics to evaluate their durability and environmental impact in marine settings.
• Nurdle Patrol (As needed): Interns participate in citizen science projects to collect data on plastic pellets found on beaches, contributing to a broader understanding of microplastic pollution.
• Independent Coastal Cleanups (As needed): Interns conduct cleanups independently or in small groups, focusing on reducing marine debris in specific areas.
• Green Crabs (Events Only): Data collection and removal of invasive crab species are carried out to protect native marine life and the local seafood industry.
• BeBot (Weekly upon program start): The BeBot is an eco-friendly, remote-controlled beach-cleaning robot that sifts sand to remove trash and algae, enhancing beach environments without harming wildlife.

For more information, please visit Seaside Sustainability In-Person Internships.

Job Responsibilities:

We are seeking in-person interns to complete a minimum of 15 hours per week with Seaside Sustainability. 

These interns will have some or all of the following responsibilities:

• Daily monitoring of two Seabin devices in Gloucester, MA, emptying and replacing mesh bags as necessary to ensure continued removal of marine debris from our waterways
• Assist Coordinator and Executive Director Eric Magers in maneuvering and controlling the PixieDrone
• Answer questions from onlookers about the PixieDrone as needed, such as what the device is, what it is used for, is it safe, etc.
• Conduct acidification testing at four mudflat locations on the Cape Ann peninsula
• Compile data from acidification tests for inclusion in a comprehensive database - possibly transmit the data to Salem Sound Coastwatch as well
• Conduct “Microplastics in Sand” tests and assist in running the activity for cleanup groups, teaching and demonstrating how much debris can be found buried in the sand
• Assist at biweekly Coastal Cleanup events by providing guidance, knowledge, and supplies to participants as needed
• Assist at biweekly Company Coastal Cleanup events by providing guidance, knowledge, and supplies to participants as needed
• Monitor sunscreen dispensers biweekly on Good Harbor Beach and refill as necessary
• Pending sunscreen dispenser placement, monitor dispensers on Wingaersheek Beach biweekly and refill as necessary
• Conduct monthly marine debris trawls according to NOAA standards with Executive Director, Eric Magers, on Seaside Sustainability’s boat
• Inspect, measure, and weigh debris collected from trawling activities to keep record of quantity and types of debris found in waterways
• Monitor “Compostable in Marine Environment” plastic monthly to determine if/when deterioration starts
• Conduct plastic pellet collections when time permits and report findings to nurdlepatrol.org to help create a database of microplastic findings in coastal Massachusetts
• Conduct independent coastal cleanups when needed or as time permits
• Assist in demonstrating crab trap during company events
• Pending program commencement, assist Coordinator and Executive Director Eric Magers weekly in maneuvering and controlling the BeBot to sift through the sand along the Cape Ann peninsula
• Pending program commencement, answer questions from onlookers about the BeBot as needed, such as what the device is, what it is used for, is it safe, etc.
• Keep an accurate record of worked hours to be reported weekly to Seaside Sustainability using Hours Tracker form
• Interns will help set up/break down equipment, as well as represent Seaside Sustainability at public events such as festivals, block parties, and farmers markets.
• Interns will attend and represent Seaside Sustainability at state house legislation events in Boston
• Interns will have to be available on select weekends and evenings when necessary.

Skills needed: 

• Current enrollment in a relevant undergraduate or graduate program (marine science, environmental science, biology, or related fields).
• Passion for hands-on environmental work and community engagement.
• Physical ability to participate in field activities, sometimes in challenging conditions.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to varying field conditions and project needs.

                                               “Sustainability, Education, Action”

What is Seaside: Seaside Sustainability is a nationally recognized, award-winning 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to community engagement, public education, and environmental conservation. Seaside aims to be a leader in environmental and STEM educational programs and recognition initiatives. We help by promoting public awareness about the importance of environmental health, providing resources to develop problem-solving skills, and chances to get engaged as part of a community to take action. We organize our works and initiatives around these areas: plastic mitigation, marine citizen science, sustainability education, and solar energy in the community.

Why Intern at Seaside: Seaside’s internship program is hands-down one of the best in the area! With its roots firmly seated in education and hands-on learning, there is no doubt that that is why we have more than 50 interns at any given point throughout the year. Our programs and initiatives encourage members of the community, young and old, to build and nurture a relationship with local land and seascapes. An internship at Seaside allows you to explore a myriad of internship opportunities, relevant to almost any future interest. Join Seaside Sustainability for any season, or during breaks in your school schedule. We are looking for part-time interns in high school, college, and beyond to work on a diverse and challenging array of projects and initiatives. We are accepting applications for unpaid internships, with hours available any day of the week and practically any time of day: weekdays, weekends, and evenings included. We prefer to have our local interns work in person at the office in Gloucester, and we also invite interns from all over the United States and internationally to apply. Seaside Sustainability provides interns with real and meaningful work, and internships are available in any season with flexible time schedules.

Mission: Seaside Sustainability's mission is to preserve and protect the world's oceans, seas, wetlands, and estuaries by motivating citizens to evaluate the critical issues facing the water environment, educating the public on best practices for sustainability, and providing guidance for taking effective action. Among our most important areas of focus are the elimination of consumer plastics and the creation of educational programs for students of all ages. By partnering with diverse stakeholders, including educational institutions, environmental groups, and other organizations across the public and private sectors, Seaside Sustainability is committed to building an informed citizenry to address the sustainability of water-based ecosystems in communities around the world.

Vision Statement: Seaside’s programs and initiatives encourage members of the community, of all ages, to build and nurture a relationship with local land and seascapes. We believe that environmental challenges can be overcome by instilling ethical and social responsibility into our existence. And we address these challenges by illuminating the heavy costs of environmental degradation by providing resources to develop skills, solutions, and community involvement.

What Interns Do at Seaside Sustainability: Our interns are not limited to just one role; we encourage each intern to take advantage of the opportunity to explore a variety of roles and responsibilities. Our interns are never bored as they’re always given real and meaningful work that is essential to the day-to-day operation of the company. As an intern with Seaside Sustainability, you will be asked to perform a myriad of tasks, most of which can also be found at https://www.seasidesustainability.org/intern-details. 

Market Research Weekly Work: In order to fulfill our mission, we need to communicate with educators who are passionate about sustainability. To meet our weekly goals of outreach to these educators, all interns are required to spend no more than 2-hours a week collecting this critical and game changing information. When you are researching these educators, you are literally selecting the people who will be changing the lives of their students by taking part in our programs. This role is one of the most important parts of working here at Seaside. You will gain so many useful skills such as how to be a more effective researcher and how to remain organized all while playing a key role in expanding the size and scale of Seaside. As Interns join Seaside’s leadership, they take on increasing responsibilities and are not required to do weekly information collection.

Course Credit: Students may receive course credit for this internship. Staff will work with the intern’s school/advisor on achieving desired learning outcomes and completing all necessary paperwork.

Requirements: Seaside Sustainability requires interns to work at least 15 hours per week.  

President’s Volunteer Service Award: Seaside Sustainability is now certified to give out the “President’s Volunteer Service Award” to eligible interns. This award was created to, “recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.” This is a great achievement to put on your resume! What are the requirements for this award?

1. Must be a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident
2. All hours must be completed within a 12-month period to be counted towards the final total
3. All hours must be tracked in Seaside’s weekly shift report to be counted

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement: Seaside recognizes that environmental issues are human issues, and therefore everyone has a right to be a part of the solution. Seaside is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that welcomes all participants irrespective of their gender, race, sexuality, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or socioeconomic status. The demographics of our internship program directly reflects the composition of our national outreach while the composition of our board more reflects the local composition of our communities. With the understanding that Environmental Issues disproportionately affect low income communities, minority communities, and communities of color, we are actively seeking to ensure that our environmental work, our projects, and programs are crafted in a way that both reflects and aids in combating the plight of minorities, of people of color, of economically challenged, and other disadvantaged individuals.

General Skills Needed:

• Passionate and dedicated to making a difference in the environment
• Good virtual communication skills
• Comfortable working in teams
• Good time management skills
• Willingness to learn and work outside of their comfort zone
• Basic knowledge of communication technology (G-Suite, Zoom, Email)
• Leadership skills

Management Roles

Project Managers

Seaside Sustainability’s rapid growth is requiring the organization to look for enthusiastic students who wish to take their passion for the environment to the next level. To promote this, Seaside will provide Project Managers with a professionally guided internship that assists with intern management strategies and supports their aspirations for career development. PMs take the lead on more than 20 Seaside projects ranging from 2-10 team members working virtually. Being a Project Manager is truly a win-win situation: the environment benefits, interns benefit, and project managers gain invaluable experience. We are actively seeking to recruit college students, graduate students, and those with leadership experience to fulfill the role of a project manager. Interns at Seaside Sustainability may be promoted to the position of a project manager by exemplifying the characteristics of a model intern. Skills Needed: Project development, Task delegation, Superior organizational and communication skills

Management Fellows

Similar to the Project Manager position described above, a Fellow exemplifies organization, leadership, and communication skills and has the opportunity to lead a team of 3-10 interns in one of the teams above throughout their internship. This position is more demanding and requires someone with the ability to check emails and make phone calls outside of their regular working hours. The duties of this position include: interviewing applicants, onboarding new interns, meeting with interns 1:1 every other week, reporting to the Executive Director, and lastly, ensuring intern and project success. Skills Needed: Project development, Task delegation, Superior organizational and communication skills

Intern Directors

Seaside Sustainability’s internship program has been growing steadily since its creation, and now has the capacity to offer another management position to exceptional interns. Similar to the Project Manager position described above, a Fellow exemplifies organization, leadership, and communication skills and has the opportunity to lead a team of 3-10 interns in one of the teams above throughout their internship. This position is more demanding and requires someone with the ability to check emails and make phone calls outside of their regular working hours. The duties of this position include: interviewing applicants, onboarding new interns, meeting with interns 1:1 every other week, reporting to the Executive Director, and lastly, ensuring intern and project success. Skills Needed: Project development, Task delegation, Superior organizational and communication skills.

Advisors

Seaside Sustainability’s Community Advisory Team members work directly with our Executive Director, Eric Magers, and work alongside Board members, Intern Directors, Management Fellows, other Community Advisors and a large cadre of interns organized in teams to further advance the organization’s goals. Common Advisor duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Leading implementation of new management and organizational processes and procedures across the program. Delegating tasks to appropriate team members. Working closely with the Human Resources team to manage and oversee recruitment for future internship sessions. Collecting and analyzing feedback from interns throughout the program to gauge satisfaction and success. Skills Needed: Good communication with people of all walks of life, Leadership skills, Experience coordinating groups of people, A strong desire to facilitate a positive, hands-on internship experience.

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Make Sure To Follow Seaside on Social Media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seasusinc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasusinc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seasusinc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDqPZWdPIQG37aaSC7NShOg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seaside-sustainability-inc/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4lfTZpbv0ELrkU2po8SRfo

And remember to check out our partner organization National STEM Honor Society www.nstem.org for another great internship opportunity!