Research Associate Intern at Billion Oyster Project (Wilson Ctr. Funded)

Employer Name: Billion Oyster Project

Internship Role: Research Associate Intern

Employer Website: https://www.billionoysterproject.org

Duration of Internship: 280 hour commitment (Full-time, 35 hrs/week for 8 weeks)

Eligibility: This Wilson Center funded opportunity is open to all registered Pace students (undergraduate, graduate and international students) that are graduating in Dec. 2025 OR later.

Address: MAST Center at 134 Carder Road and Building 20 in Nolan Park on Governors Island* (Internship sites will vary depending on Program Area)

Modality: On-Site/In person

About the Employer: 
Billion Oyster Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives. Billion Oyster Project is fueled by the passion and commitment of the team. Enthusiasm for the work of environmental restoration, public education, and environmental justice is an expectation for the position. Candidates should be comfortable working on a team with various stakeholders and delivering on complex, multi-step projects.
Our Vision: A future in which New York Harbor is the center of a rich, diverse, and abundant estuary. The communities that surround this complex ecosystem have helped construct it, and in return, benefit from it, with endless opportunities for work, education, and recreation. The harbor is a world-class public space, well used and well cared for—our Commons.

Our Ethos: 
Restoration through Education - We believe that restoration without education is fleeting. To ensure the long-term health and productivity of our natural environment, we must teach young people to care for, monitor, and restore their Harbor.
Education through Restoration - We believe that students learn best when applying their studies to large-scale ecosystem restoration projects that challenge them to become active participants and take them out of the classroom, down to the water’s edge to experience the ecosystem first-hand.

Our Flagship School
The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School’s mission is to provide a college-preparatory education built upon New York City's maritime experience that instills in students the ethics of environmental stewardship and the skills associated with careers on the water. New York Harbor School offers career and technical education (CTE) programs in 7 areas of marine science, technology, policy, and engineering.
 

Position Overview: 
The intern will provide support to all departments of Billion Oyster Project through a specific programmatic focus. See below for the programmatic focuses offered. Interns will also have the opportunity to engage with other departments outside of their focus to gain an understanding of an environmental non-profit. The intern will also be responsible for producing a research project* and presenting this project to Billion Oyster Project staff at the end of the season. You will fully integrate into the organization, attending and reporting at staff-wide meetings and functions, interns will have on-site focus supervisors. 

Please note that this program is designed to be a learning experience, and Billion Oyster Project will offer training and career mentorship. We understand that no candidate has 100% of the listed job qualifications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply for this position if you believe you can complete the responsibilities. We encourage anyone interested in or passionate about these programmatic focuses to apply.

All Hands on Deck:
All interns will have the opportunity to docent at the Exhibit House, monitor oyster reefs, and collect data at our sites across the city. Additionally, interns will work together at large events such as the Billion Oyster Project Symposium.

Requirements Are:
● Self-motivated, highly organized, upbeat, and flexible
● Ability to work independently and in collaboration with all teams
● Positive work ethic
● Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, and public speaking
● Strong time management and customer service skills
● Proficiency in MS Office Suite and/or Google Suite
● Some duties may require moving equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds
● Some work will take place on boats, wading in the water, and on-shore in various weather conditions
● Ability to work some weekends

**  INDICATE YOUR PREFERRED PROGRAM AREA IN COVER LETTER **

Program Area: Outdoor Learning

• Assist the Education Team in delivering engaging, hands-on educational activities for youth groups, school classes, and summer camp participants, primarily at Oyster Research Station (ORS) sites, community partner locations, and Governors Island.
• Provide logistical and instructional support for outdoor learning expeditions, classroom workshops, and harbor-based activities, helping educators and students connect with New York Harbor through experiential learning opportunities.
• Lead or co-facilitate Days of Service on Governors Island, introducing visitors to the Billion Oyster Project’s mission, restoration efforts, and the ecological importance of oysters in New York Harbor.
• Represent the Billion Oyster Project at school-based table events, student symposiums, and environmental education fairs, engaging students and teachers in discussions about harbor restoration, marine science, and education opportunities.

Notes on this role:

• This role follows a structured schedule, typically Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility required to accommodate school programming and special events. Daily schedules may vary and will not always consist of an eight-hour workday. Hours may fluctuate based on program needs.
• Interns should have strong teaching, facilitation, and public engagement skills, along with a passion for outdoor education and environmental stewardship. Note that the audience range is K-12.
• Much of this role involves field-based activities, requiring comfort working outdoors in various weather conditions and engaging with diverse student audiences.

Program Area: Restoration Field Support

• Support the Oyster Reefs, Oyster Production, Fabrication, and Shell Collection programs within the Restoration Team, primarily in the field (Governors Island and active or planned reef sites) throughout New York Harbor, with some office work as needed.
• Assist the Oyster Reefs team by participating in annual and biannual monitoring, conducting pre-construction data collection activities, and performing gear maintenance.
• Contribute to the Oyster Production team by assisting with deployments and supporting hatchery production maintenance activities.
• Assist the Shell Collection team by fulfilling shell requests, assisting with shell recycling on Governors Island, and collaborating with current restaurant partners.

Notes on this role:

• This is a field-heavy role that primarily takes place on Governors Island and at reef sites across NYC, with some office work for Shell Collection.
• The position requires flexibility in working hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends based on tides and project needs.
• Priority will be given to the Oyster Reefs team, with time shared among the other programs. While the schedule may vary, the total hours will not exceed a maximum of 32 hours per week. Candidates with a valid driver’s license and are 21 or over are preferred.

Program Area: Volunteer and Fabrication

• Assist with delivering public volunteer events on Governors Island.
• Support Volunteer Fabrication Days, engaging public volunteers in oyster structure construction and shell processing.
• Support volunteer initiatives by helping facilitate Oyster Research Station (ORS) monitoring, data collection, and maintenance.
• Staff volunteer outreach table to engage passersby, share information about Billion Oyster Project, and encourage participation in upcoming volunteer events and restoration activities.

Notes on this role:

• This role requires weekend availability, with a typical schedule running Tuesday through Sundays to accommodate public engagement events.
• Fieldwork is a significant component of this position, requiring comfort with outdoor, hands-on activities in various weather conditions and the ability to lift materials as needed. Interns will work 32 hours per week, with some flexibility based on event schedules and volunteer needs.

Program Area: Donor Relations

• Assist with delivering corporate volunteer events on Governors Island.
• Support Corporate Fabrication Days, engaging corporate volunteers in oyster structure construction and shell processing.
• Collaborate with the Development team to support donor engagement strategies, assisting with donor research and qualification, outreach initiatives, and stewardship efforts
• Support the management of donor data and communications assets by updating BOP’s CRM database, organizing media files, and ensuring effective use of digital tools.
• Provide event support as needed, including corporate tours/events, donor tours and other cultivation events.

Notes on this role:

• This role requires a flexible work schedule, with a mix of office work and in-the-field responsibilities, particularly around key donor events and high-visibility engagements.
• Interns should have strong writing skills, an interest in digital media, and a willingness to learn new technologies.
• Interns will work 32 hours per week, with schedules varying depending on donor visits, public events, and communication deadlines.

Program Area: Communications & Content

• Assist with marketing and communications efforts by drafting compelling copy for digital media, including social media posts, newsletters, campaigns, and website updates. Ensure that all messaging aligns with Billion Oyster Project’s mission and branding.
• Support content creation efforts for the larger Billion Oyster Project brand, as well as key programming.
• Work with the Comms team to build out social media assets and other external outreach programming.
• Research current trends on social media that can help us bolster our following.
• Support with event activation when it comes to big brand moments and/or programming efforts that require marketing support.
• Assist in video and photo shoots onsite with the education and restoration teams.
• Support with restaurant partner marketing, especially asset creation.

Notes on this role:

• This role works closely with Billion Oyster Project's Director of Comms, Graphic Designer, Videographer and Photographer.
• This role will require candidates to be 21 or over and have a valid driver’s license.

The Ideal Candidate:
● Familiar with marine science, environmental studies, and/or the maritime industry
● Familiar with data management
● Enjoys communicating with the public
● Enjoys working with students, volunteers, and marine life
● Ability to perform administrative tasks with an eye for detail
● Enjoys working in and/or around the water and being outdoors for an extended time
● Flexible to schedule changes
● Experience teaching or providing informal instruction to children and/or adults (or willingness to learn)
● Ability to travel with the crew on small vessels

*Organizational Internship Deliverables
Interns will be expected to develop and present a final project or product that reflects your experience, interests, and skills. This project does not have to be a traditional research paper. Instead, it can take many forms, from creative storytelling to hands-on education tools, data analysis, or education and outreach initiatives. Your project does not have to align with the specific department you’re working in, but it should meaningfully contribute to BOP’s mission. We encourage you to think outside the box and propose a project idea in your application that excites you!

Potential Project Ideas:
● Creative & Artistic – Art installations, interactive exhibits, or multimedia storytelling about New York Harbor.
● Educational & Outreach-Focused – An educational activity (i.e., card game), workshop, or hands-on activity to teach students or volunteers about marine life.
● Science & Research-Based – Data visualization, biodiversity surveys, or water quality mapping.
● Community Engagement & Policy – A social media campaign, event concept, or proposal to improve water access and restoration efforts.
When applying, you will be asked to include a brief idea for a potential final project—this does not have to be a fully formed plan, nor is it set in stone, but it should give us insight into how you’d like to contribute through your work as an intern.