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Research Associate Technician (Wilson Ctr Funded) at Billion Oyster Project

Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship
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Employer Name: Billion Oyster Project

Internship Role: Research Associate Technician

Employer Website: www.billionoysterproject.org

Compensation: $19.00/hour

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

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

Address: 134 Carder Road, Governors Island, NY

Modality: On-site

About the Employer: The 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.

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.

Our Flagship School: The Urban Assembly New York Harbor Schools 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.

Position Overview: The Research Associate Technician interns will provide support to all the 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 Research Associate Technician will also be responsible for producing a research project* and presenting said project to Billion Oyster Project staff at the end of the season. As a Research Associate Technician intern, you will fully integrate
into the organization, attending and reporting at staff-wide meetings and functions. All Research Associate Technicians will have on-site focus supervisors. The Public Outreach Program Manager manages the Research Associate Technician Program with oversight from the Director of Public Impact. 

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.


CANDIDATES MUST LIST AND RANK THEIR PREFERRED PROGRAM FOCUS IN COVER LETTER.

Billion Oyster Project Programmatic Focus:

  1. Community Reefs
    ● Assist with hands-on fieldwork at community reefs throughout New York City, supporting the maintenance, monitoring, and engagement activities that help connect local communities to oyster restoration efforts.
    ● Lead and support public education initiatives at community reef sites, facilitating engaging and ecology-based learning experiences for youth groups, community organizations, and the general public.
    ● Conduct outreach and relationship-building with community-based organizations (CBOs), helping to foster long-term collaborations that promote environmental stewardship and shared learning.
    ● Represent the Billion Oyster Project at community events, meetings, and waterfront programming, assisting in presentations and discussions that advocate for local restoration projects and sustainable harbor initiatives.
    ● Provide logistical and operational support for programming at field stations, ensuring that materials, volunteers, and participants are properly coordinated for hands-on restoration and learning activities.
    Notes on this role:
    This role requires flexibility in scheduling, as work may be done in multiple locations in NYC, including Governors Island, Brooklyn sites, and other waterfront  Communities. Interns should be comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions and engaging with diverse audiences, including students, families, and local organizations. Interns will work 32 hours per week, with some weekend and evening commitments based on event schedules and community needs.
  2. Community Science
    ● Assist with collecting and processing water quality samples at the Williamsburg Field Station Lab, ensuring that data is accurately recorded and analyzed to support ongoing research and community-based monitoring efforts.
    ● Support the Oyster Research Station (ORS) program by helping with the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of ORS cages and assisting with data collection and organization to track oyster growth, survivorship, and environmental conditions.
    ● Engage with students, teachers, and community members participating in the ORS Program, providing training and guidance on data collection protocols while fostering a deeper understanding of oyster restoration and its role in improving harbor ecosystems. 
    ● Participate in the Community Water Quality Testing (CWQT) Program by assisting with training sessions, field sampling, and data quality control to ensure community scientists follow established procedures when testing harbor water for bacteria levels.
    ● Represent Billion Oyster Project at community engagement events, lab presentations, and public outreach programs, helping to communicate key scientific concepts and findings to a broad audience while promoting citizen science initiatives.
    Notes on this role:
    This role requires a mix of laboratory work, fieldwork, and community engagement. Activities occur at the Williamsburg Field Station and various waterfront locations across NYC. Interns should have strong organizational skills, an interest in environmental science and community-based research, and be comfortable with public speaking and customer service interactions. Interns will work 32 hours per week, including Tuesdays through Saturdays, varying hours depending
    on fieldwork and community event needs.
  3. Donor Relations and Communications
    ● Collaborate with the Development and Communications teams to support donor engagement strategies, assisting with donor research and qualification, outreach initiatives, and stewardship efforts.
    ● 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 the management of donor data and communications assets by updating BOP’s CRM database, organizing media files, and ensuring effective use of digital tools.
    ● Research digital media platforms, emerging communication trends, and engagement strategies, providing insights and recommendations to enhance BOP’s outreach and audience growth.
    ● Provide event support as needed, including corporate volunteer days, 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.
  4. Finance and Operations
    ● Assist with preparing and organizing financial documentation related to the Fiscal Year Finance Audit, ensuring that all compliance materials are accurately maintained and readily accessible for review.
    ● Support the Finance Team in processing credit card reconciliations, tracking expenses, and maintaining accurate financial records that contribute to the overall financial integrity of the organization. 
    ● Develop and implement Google Sheets or SmartSheet trackers to help manage and update inventory and asset tracking systems. Ensure all office supplies, IT equipment, and safety materials are correctly accounted for and restocked as needed.
    ● Contribute to operational efficiency by assisting with document organization, shared drive management, and the administration of Billion Oyster Project’s Google accounts to streamline internal workflows and improve accessibility of critical information.
    ● Provide logistical and administrative support for office operations, including overseeing the ferry reservation system, tracking incoming mail and packages, and ensuring that staff members receive timely notifications about essential deliveries.
    Notes on this role:
    This role requires a mix of office-based tasks and hands-on inventory management, with occasional responsibilities related to event logistics and administrative coordination. Interns should be highly attentive to detail, have strong organizational skills, and be interested in financial operations, nonprofit administration, or business management. Interns will work 32 hours per week, with a structured schedule based on office needs and financial reporting deadlines.
  5. 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 Billion Oyster Project at school-based tabling events, student symposiums, and environmental education fairs, engaging students and teachers in discussions about harbor restoration, marine science, and community science opportunities.
    Notes on this role:
    This role requires a structured schedule, typically Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM, with flexibility depending on school programming and special events.
    Interns should have strong teaching, facilitation, and public engagement skills, along with a passion for outdoor education and environmental stewardship. Note 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.
  6. Public Outreach
    ● Serve as a key representative of the Billion Oyster Project at the Exhibit House and Gallery Space on Governors Island, engaging visitors with interactive exhibits, educational displays, and rotating installations that connect art, science, and history to oyster reef restoration.
    ● Assist with the planning and execution of public outreach programs, including guided walking tours, exhibit openings, and special community events, ensuring that participants gain a meaningful understanding of Billion Oyster Project’s mission and impact.
    ● Represent Billion Oyster Project at tabling events and partner-hosted public engagements, facilitating interactive discussions, leading age-appropriate educational activities, and encouraging deeper community involvement through mailing list sign-ups and engagement opportunities.
    ● Support internal and external public exhibits by collaborating with artists, museums, and cultural institutions, contributing to educational content and logistics that align with Billion Oyster Project’s restoration initiatives and public engagement goals.
    Notes on this role:
     This role requires a highly public-facing presence, with most work occurring at the Exhibit House on Governors Island, partner events, and public engagement sites throughout NYC. Interns should have an interest in art, interdisciplinary study, curation, and/or public program development. Interns should have strong interpersonal skills, confidence in public speaking, and an enthusiasm for
    engaging diverse audiences in environmental education and restoration efforts. Interns will work 32 hours per week, with a schedule that includes weekdays and some weekends to accommodate public programs, tabling events, and gallery openings.
  7. 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 by participating in annual monitoring, conducting pre-construction data collection activities, and performing gear maintenance.
    ● Contribute to the Oyster Production by assisting with deployments and supporting hatchery production maintenance activities.
    ● Support the Fabrication program by assisting in the fabrication of restoration structures, maintaining the shell pile, and helping with public tours.
    ● Assist the Shell Collection program by fulfilling shell requests, engaging with on-island vendors, 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, 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.
  8. Volunteer and Fabrication
    ● Assist with delivering public volunteer events on Governors Island and at waterfront locations across NYC.
    ● Support community science initiatives by helping facilitate public volunteer Oyster Research Station (ORS) monitoring and data collection.
    ● Support Volunteer Fabrication Days, engaging public volunteers in oyster structure construction and shell processing.
    ● Support shoreline cleanup events to improve waterfront areas and contribute to restoration efforts.
    ● 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 including Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and 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

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, and City of Water Day.

Requirements Are:
● Ability to work weekends
● 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


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

 

**This internship is funded by the Helene & Grant Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Pace University, the intern hired for this position will make a full-time commitment for 8 weeks, working no more than 35 hours each week, a total of 280 hours*