Our internships at Tampa Bay Watch provide currently enrolled and recent college graduates with practical learning experiences and valuable competencies and skills in estuarine ecology, marine science, and environmental education. We aim to cultivate future educators and conservationists through facilitation of our education and restoration programs.
Estuary EDventures Education Intern
Marine Education Center, Tierra Verde, FL
The Estuary EDventures Education Internship provides valuable environmental education, field ecology, and aquarium husbandry experience.
Responsibilities:
- Teach students of various ages in formal and informal settings
- Assist the education team in the daily and weekly set-up, clean up, and facilitation of each program
- Perform various in-field activities such as trawling, seining, and kayaking
- Collect and identify species of the bay
- Perform a variety of aquarium husbandry tasks
- Design and implement education programs and materials with the assistance of supervisor
- Facilitate at least one scheduled program
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Valid driver’s license
- Proof of health insurance
- CPR certification is preferred
- Clear background check
- Enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited college or university
- Have excellent communication skills
- Demonstrate interest in working with all ages, especially children, visitors, and animals
- Be self-motivated, energetic, creative, adaptable and have the ability to work in a team environment
- Maintain a safe working environment for personnel, students, and the aquarium collection
- Comfortable in and on the water and handling marine organisms
- Aquarium experience is preferred
- Able to perform physical challenges involved in the daily duties of the department including: lifting/carrying equipment weighing approximately 50 lbs., sitting, kneeling, stooping, crawling, twisting, reaching above head, pulling, bending, and climbing stairs. Candidates must be able and willing to perform all above duties outdoors and in all weather conditions.
Additional Information:
This internship is unpaid. This internship may provide college credit, with approval from the university and advisor. The intern will be responsible for transportation and personal health insurance. A background check, including fingerprinting, will be required, at the expense of Tampa Bay Watch.
Schedule:
Interns generally work two days a week, M-F from 9 AM-2 PM, for the duration of the spring and fall/winter seasons. Hours are dependent on the program schedule. Summer interns work five days a week, M-F from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
- Spring: January-May
- Summer: June-August
- Fall/Winter: September-January
Location:
Tampa Bay Watch Marine Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Application:
To apply, please send an email of interest and attached resume to internships@tampabaywatch.org. Please indicate the season in which you are applying in the subject of the email.
- Deadline for spring: December 10
- Deadline for summer: April 20
- Deadline for fall/winter: September 15
Habitat Restoration Intern
Marine Education Center, Tierra Verde, FL
This position is not being offered in the summer of 2023.
The Habitat Restoration Internship at Tampa Bay Watch provides a variety of experience in field related activities, restoration efforts, and public engagement.
Responsibilities:
- Create community outreach and educational materials for habitat restoration projects and present to program participants
- Assist BGIC Program Coordinator with BGIC events which include the building of nurseries, harvesting plants, transplanting at restoration sites, educational curriculum development, and classroom presentations
- Assist with BGIC project monitoring efforts
- Assist with the Community Oyster Reef Enhancement (CORE) program in the construction and installation of oyster reefs
- Assist with CORE project monitoring efforts
- Assist with marine debris prevention and removal projects such as coastal cleanups, fishing line recovery and recycling, and stormwater programming as needed
- May assist with other restoration or educational programs as needed
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Valid driver’s licence
- Proof of health insurance
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Marine Biology, or a related field preferably with familiarity in Florida coastal ecosystems
- Have strong written and verbal skills
- Able to work both independently and as part of a team
- Flexible schedule is preferred
- Maintain a safe working environment for personnel and students
- Able to work year round in Florida’s climate and perform physical challenges involved in the daily duties of the department including: lifting/carrying equipment weighing approximately 50 lbs., sitting, kneeling, stooping, crawling, twisting, reaching above head, pulling, bending, and climbing stairs and ladders.
Additional Information:
This internship is unpaid and housing is not provided.This internship may provide college credit, with approval from the university and advisor. The intern will be responsible for transportation and personal health insurance. A background check, including fingerprinting, will be required, at the expense of Tampa Bay Watch.
Schedule:
Intern may work 2-4 days a week, depending on the schedule. A typical schedule may consist of M-F from 9 AM-3 PM, for the duration of the season but the weekly schedule is dependent on restoration projects. We require interns to work a minimum of 12 hours a week. Start/end dates are flexible.
- Spring: January-April
- Summer: May-August
- Fall/Winter: September-December
Location:
Tampa Bay Watch Marine Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Application:
To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and two references to sherndon@tampabaywatch.org. In the subject line, please include the position you are applying to, your name, the season you are applying for, and the year in the following format:
Habitat Restoration Internship Applicant_Full Name_Season, Year
- Deadline for spring: December 20
- Deadline for summer: April 20
- Deadline for fall/winter: August 20
For internship opportunities at the Discovery Center on the St. Pete Pier, please click here.