Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship: Billion Oyster Project - Research Associate Technician

Organization Name: Billion Oyster Project (BOP)

Internship Role: Research Associate Technician

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

Location: 134 Carder Rd, Governors Island NY, NY

On-site/ Hybrid/ Remote: On-site

Length of Internship: 35hrs/week for 8 weeks (280 hours total)

Compensation: $16.00/hour - total of $4,480.00

*Work Schedule: Wednesday- Sunday –9am-5pm, a schedule consistent with needs of the department’s current projects. Subject to NYS and NYC health policies, and BOP’s internal COVID-19 protocols.

About the Organization: The Billion Oyster Project (BOP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives.

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 a large-scale ecosystem restoration project that challenges them to become active participants and takes them out of the classroom, down to the water’s edge to experience the ecosystem first-hand.

BOP’s priority is the safety of its staff and volunteers. All BOP staff, community partners, and volunteers are subject to NYS and NYC health policies, and BOP’s internal COVID-19 protocols. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

·      Staff and coordinate daily support of volunteer events including weekends

·      Support volunteer activities including but not limited to building oyster structures, preparing recycled shells for seeding, and preparing materials prior to volunteer days.

·      Coordinate with fabrication technician to ensure QA + QC on daily volunteer events

·      Provide day of support to Ambassador Trainings in Wild Oyster Surveys, Oyster Monitorings, Spat Counts, Oyster Research Station Trainings, etc.

·      Assist with installations, monitorings, and research activities related to field stations, community reefs, and oyster nurseries in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Bush Terminal Park, Jamaica Bay, Great Kills Harbor, Lemon Creek, Coney Island Creek, Paerdegat Basin, Soundview Park, and upper New York Harbor.

·      Assist with preparation and execution of oyster research station (ORS) basic trainings, and symposium.

·      Community Scientists

·      Help provide support with field expeditions for water quality testing

·      Exhibits - due to covid-19 we will not be hosting indoor programing through 2021

·      Weekend staffing of the BOP Public Exhibit (outdoors)

·      Leading tours of BOP on Governors Island (outdoors)

·      Hosting Porch & lawn workshops and public engagement activities

·      Provide day of support for reef monitorings

·      Lead ambassador trainings at field stations

Requirements:

·      Self-motivated, highly-organized, upbeat, and flexibility to work independently and in collaboration with all teams.

·      Ability to work closely with volunteers and the public in a professional manner

·      Positive work ethic

·      Strong public speaking and written communication skills

·      Strong time management skills

·      Experience teaching or providing informal instruction to children and/or adults

·      Proficiency in MS Office Suite and/or Google Suite

·      Some duties may require moving equipment weighing up to 40 pounds

·      Comfortable working frequently outdoors with staff and general public: some work will take place on boats, wading in the water, and on-shore in various weather conditions all in accordance with covid-19 guidelines and protocol.

·      Familiar with, marine science, environmental studies, and/or the maritime industry

·      Be able to communicate with the public about Billion Oyster Project programs and policies.

·      Enjoys working with students, volunteers, and marine life

·      Be able to perform office and administrative tasks

·      Work weekends on a rotating schedule

·      Enjoys working in and/or around the water and being outdoors for an extended time.

·      Adaptable and flexible to change

·      Ability to travel with the crew on small vessels