Application period closed for 2024. Please check back for opportunities for summer 2025.
ShoreRivers seeks applicants for an exciting, hands-on summer internship experience in the environmental field, based in the Chester and Sassafras watersheds. This internship program is provided through a partnership with Washington College, Center for Environment & Society. Applicants must be Washington College students or recent graduates; see instructions below for how to apply.
ShoreRivers interns process underwater grasses in the turbulator at the Washington College Center for Environment & Society.
ShoreRivers is a nonprofit organization that protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. With offices in Easton, Chestertown, and Galena Maryland, the organization serves as an advocate for the health of our rivers and the living resources they support. Our programs promote environmental awareness of the essential role local rivers and streams play in the community, the issues that threaten their health and vitality, and solutions that must be implemented to preserve them.
The summer intern will provide programmatic support for our Chester River and Sassafras River programs and participate in a variety of activities including submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration, water quality and bacteria monitoring, community outreach and education, and enforcement. By the end of the program the intern will have earned a Maryland boater safety certificate, become familiar with handling a boat, gained experience and training in scientific water quality monitoring equipment and protocols, and developed a variety of other restoration -based skills and experiences.
Program Logistics
Location: This internship is based in the ShoreRivers Chestertown office, with fieldwork across the Chester and Sassafras watersheds, and occasional travel throughout the ShoreRivers region
Dates: Minimum of 10 weeks between May and August; start and end dates and vacation days are flexible
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm; with occasional evening and weekend work
Stipend: $5,000 provided by Washington College’s Center for Environment & Society.
Housing: Green House, River & Field Campus; provided by the College
Program Requirements
Outgoing personality with good communication skills. Must be able to work with a team, but also be self-motivated in individual tasks
Able to lift at least 50 lbs., swim, feel comfortable on boats and in kayaks, and do physical outdoor activity in various weather conditions
Willing to work a flexible 40-hour schedule with some evening and weekend hours
Rising college junior or senior, or recent college graduate. Major in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field encouraged
Proficient in Microsoft Office software
Proficiency in ArcGIS is encouraged
Intern Responsibilities
Obtain a Maryland boater safety certificate
Water quality monitoring by boat with Riverkeepers
Water Chestnut eradication work on the Sassafras
Bacteria sampling at local public access sites
SAV monitoring by kayak
SAV restoration via turbulation at CES
Co-leading community kayak tours
Community outreach and events
Agricultural site visits and project monitoring
Boat and water quality equipment maintenance
Application Process
Current Washington College students should apply through JobX no later than February 15, 2024. Recent graduates can apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Laura Chamberlin, Associate Director of Civic Engagement at lchamberlin2@washcoll.edu. Before applying, please visit shorerivers.org to learn more about our organization and our programs.
Interviews will be conducted virtually in February and March and an intern will be selected and notified no later than March 20, 2024.