Employment

Kelp Restoration Intern
• Position: 3-Month Summer Internship, about 80 hours per month. Start day and hours are flexible.
• Pay: $20 per hour stipend

Application Due Date: EXTENDED to Monday, April 29th, 5pm

Reef Check is a non-profit organization dedicated to training citizen scientists to promote the stewardship of reef communities worldwide. Along the West Coast of North America, Reef Check plays a crucial role in ensuring kelp forests’ long-term sustainability and health by equipping scuba divers with the necessary skills to become proficient citizen scientists. Reef Check promotes public education and develops ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions for reef conservation and restoration.

This internship presents an exceptional opportunity to engage in kelp forest restoration activities in Northern California. Interns will participate in the project “Accelerating bull kelp ecosystem recovery in a recently deforested location by using a strategic sequence of restoration techniques and community participation,” made possible by the Accelerating North Coast Kelp Recovery Grant, supported by the California Sea Grant, the Ocean Protection Council, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and The Nature Conservancy.

Selected interns will collaborate with a diverse array of partners and local stakeholders actively involved in kelp forest restoration research in Mendocino, California. The Kelp Restoration internship offers a unique chance for local residents in the early stages of their careers to gain invaluable experience in marine science and conservation and forge meaningful connections within this field. Scuba experience is not required, but it is a plus. Reef Check volunteers are also encouraged to apply for this position.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Participate in restoration activities alongside leading kelp forest restoration experts, NGOs, scientists, government agencies, and commercial fisheries.
  • Assist with subtidal long-term monitoring of restoration sites and data collection (for scuba-qualified individuals).
  • Contribute to publication and outreach activities.
  • Support data entry and report writing tasks.
  • Option to become Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring certified, contingent upon diving experience.

Qualifications:

  • Scuba diver with rescue diver certification is preferred for participation in the Reef Check course (though not required).
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel).
  • Demonstrates initiative and curiosity, with a readiness to learn.
  • Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
  • Preferably a local resident of Mendocino County; however, Northern California residents will be considered.

Please email your CV or resume and a brief cover letter describing what this position would mean to you to abauerciviello@reefcheck.org by April 29.