VA Oyster Restoration Intern

Description

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Virginia Oyster Restoration Intern to be based at CBF's Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, VA and our worksite in Hampton River.

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established over 50 years ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the nation's leading conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our nation's largest estuary. With 200,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, and a $55 million endowment, CBF's 190 full time staff work in offices in Annapolis and Easton, MD; Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Washington, DC; and in 15 field education program locations across the Bay watershed.

CBF's headquarters - the Philip Merrill Environmental Center - in Annapolis is the world's first USGBC LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach; the Brock Center is the tenth certified Living Building and one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Environmental Protection and Restoration

CBF's Environmental Protection and Restoration department defends and restores the Chesapeake Bay by protecting the Bay's natural resources from pollution and other harmful activities by fighting for strong and effective laws and regulations; restoring the Bay's essential habitats and filtering mechanisms; and involving citizens in CBF's environmental efforts by recruiting, training, and incorporating them as effective partners and leaders.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The Oyster Restoration Intern will assist Chesapeake Bay Foundation Oyster Restoration Center staff with restoration projects in Hampton Roads. While this is mostly an outside field position, some administrative tasks will also be required. Applicants should be comfortable working outside in the summer, in or around the water, and on small vessels. Time will be split between CBF's Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach and our worksite in the Hampton River.

Requirements

• Assist with field operations split between the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach and our worksite in the Hampton River. This includes spat on shell production, oyster plantings, shell recycling, the oyster gardening program, and other hands-on restoration activities.
• Assist with work on and around small vessels including some cleaning and maintenance.
• Assist with managing volunteer events associated with the program.
• Attend relevant meetings with CBF staff and other restoration partners.
• Assist with monitoring and data collection.

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Successful candidate should be a college student majoring in environmental science, marine biology, wildlife and fisheries science, aquaculture, marine affairs, or a related field. Applicants must be actively enrolled in college or a recent graduate. Previous experience with fieldwork and data collection is preferred but not a requirement. Self-initiative, the ability to work independently, as well as with a team and excellent written and oral communication skills are required. Familiarity with Excel, Word, and Outlook required. We seek a creative thinker interested in learning about the Chesapeake Bay as well as furthering the Foundation's mission to \"Save the Bay."

The internship will begin in June 2024 and end in August 2024. Exact start and end dates are negotiable. The successful candidate must have reliable daily transportation for travel to CBF's Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach and occasional travel to our worksite in the Hampton River. Housing is not provided. Due to the physical capacity of this job, interns must be comfortable lifting 50+ pounds and be in good physical condition to work outside in all elements during the summer.

Salary Range: $17 an hour

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website no later than January 31, 2025.