Application is currently: OPEN

Applications due April 2, 2025
Apply here.

Washington Sea Grant Community Engaged Internship

A paid, 10-week summer internship opportunity in coastal Washington state for undergraduate students in any field of study with an interest in coastal and marine sciences.

The Sea Grant Community Engaged Internship (CEI) for Undergraduate Students aims to broaden participation in coastal, ocean, and marine sciences by providing training and mentorship to early-stage university and community college students. The goal of this paid internship program is to provide training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision-makers and citizens. CEI students engage in place-based research, extension, education, and/or communication that respects and integrates local knowledge systems. Learn more about the overall CEI program here. 

The Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Community Engaged Intern will be part of a national cohort of students. In addition to working on the ground in Washington, the intern will also engage with other interns across the country through: 

• Participation in all CEI professional development and training opportunities
• Virtual professional development sessions
• Peer discussions with other interns in the cohort using Slack or other virtual platforms
• A graduation ceremony to celebrate accomplishments, network with peers and other professionals
• Participation in pre- and post-evaluation

2025 Details

In 2025, the Washington Sea Grant Community Engaged Intern will work with the WSG Coastal Resilience Team and the Hazards Analysis and Resilience Planning Team at Washington State Emergency Management Division in supporting community-prioritized resilience efforts in coastal Washington. The intern will analyze existing data related to the community’s reported economic and social impacts from coastal hazards (e.g. damages from flooding, severe weather, and climate change risk) to identify areas of high risk and community’s priorities. This will help identify vulnerable areas that may need additional support to address coastal hazards and resilience issues.

Compensation: $6000

Location: Flexible arrangement as agreed with the mentors upon selection, with options to be in an office in Seattle, Camp Murray, or South Bend, WA. The intern is expected to attend some field trips and meet with local partners in coastal Washington with the mentors.

The intern is required to attend an all expenses paid in-person field experience from July 20-24 in North Carolina, hosted by North Carolina Sea Grant.

Timeline

• Applications are due April 2, by 11:59 p.m.
• Tentative internship start date: June 9, 2025
• Field experience in North Carolina: July 20–24, 2025
• Tentative internship end date: August 22, 2025

Eligibility

Applicants must be undergraduates enrolled or accepted at a degree-granting or certificate program from an accredited 2- or 4-year institution.

• Students from any field of study are welcome to apply. Must have an interest in earth and environmental science, climate change, hydrology, environmental studies, public policies, social science, environmental justice, emergency management, or data analysis.
• Desired qualifications:
  – Some experience with data analysis, Excel, and/or GIS
  – Ability to work independently
  – Effective writing and communication skills
  – Have personal ties to a region that is being impacted by coastal hazards, flooding, and climate change in coastal Washington counties

How to Apply

Submit application via the form here. 

Application Requirements

1)   Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) (2-page limit): Please describe your work history, internship or volunteer positions, activities and clubs, and any awards or scholarships. 

2)   Letter of interest that includes answers to the following questions (1-page limit):
– What excites you about coastal resilience work?
– How your skills, experience, and interest align with the qualifications?
– How does this fit with your long-term career development?

Evaluation Criteria

 The evaluation criteria and weighting of the criteria are as follows:
– Relevance of internship to applicant’s interests and experiences (40%)
– Relevance of internship to applicant’s professional development (40%)
– Logistical feasibility of applicant performing internship activities on the coast (20%)

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Sanpisa Sritrairat, WSG Community Engagement Specialist: sanpisa@uw.edu

Kind regards,

Khrystal

Khrystal Condon, M.Ed. (she/her) | Head Academic Advisor

Dept. of Biological & Ecological Engineering | Oregon State University

116 Gilmore Hall | 125 SW 26^th St.

Corvallis, OR 97331

541-737-4078 | khrystal.condon@oregonstate.edu

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Marys River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya.  Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty),  Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (http://ctsi.nsn.us).