APPLY HERE: volunteer.savebay.org/internships/
Summary: Looking to put your passion for the environment and ecology education to work? Save The Bay Habitat & Environmental Stewardship Interns will develop environmental fieldwork and leadership skills through participating in projects that directly impact Narragansett Bay coastal and riverine habitats. The goal of an HES intern is to care for and improve the Bay. HES interns will work with our volunteer program to connect with the public and lead shoreline cleanups. Interns will join our habitat restoration and water-keeper staff to learn salt marsh restoration, field monitoring, and ecological planning skills.
Location: Outdoors; sites throughout RI, including salt marsh and coastal buffer restoration sites in southern RI; remote office work
Time Commitment: September-December, 7-14 hours/week, intern hours primarily take place on weekdays between 9am-3pm, with occasional early morning hours (6am) for salt marsh field work; occasional weekend projects; applicants with at least 1 full day available preferred
Transportation: Habitat & Environmental Stewardship interns must have access to personal transportation (ex. car)
Age: 18+
Application Items: Online application, cover letter, resume
Deadline: August 1. Rolling interviews/acceptance after this date, though priority will be given to applications received by the August 1 deadline. Decisions will be made by August 25, 2025.
What you will learn:
- Shoreline cleanup leadership
- Storm Drain Marking
- Field work associated with salt marsh restoration, such as digging drainage features, managing invasive plants, and planting native plants.
- Specific monitoring activities may include: assisting with pre and post salt marsh restoration monitoring including vegetation, water level, and elevation monitoring.
- Site assessments of potential restoration projects including marsh migration corridors, impoundments targeted for dam removal and culverts impairing river connectivity
- Data entry and data analysis of marsh restoration monitoring data
- Water quality monitoring
What we require:
- Education: undergraduate sophomores, juniors, seniors, recent graduates, grad students, and beginning professionals working towards or having obtained a BA/BS or higher degree in biology, education, marine studies, or related fields
- Positive attitude and ability to do physical, outdoor work in a team environment
- Strong time management skills, self-motivated, ability to commit to and complete a project
- Strong communication skills, writing, and field skills preferred.
- Comfortable speaking to groups and engaging with the general public on Save The Bay’s behalf
- Computer experience (Excel) and GIS experience preferred
- Personal vehicle for transportation to offsite locations
Details: We offer unpaid internship opportunities. We will gladly work with your university if they offer college credit for unpaid internships. Many colleges offer stipends for students doing unpaid internships. Check out our Student Guide to Internship Funding for tips!
Note: If you feel unable to commit to a full internship, please check out our habitat restoration and shoreline cleanup volunteer opportunities. “Become a fan” of the page to receive emails when we post new events.
