Summary: Are you interested in water quality, public engagement, and environmental policy? Save The Bay is seeking an intern to assist our Narragansett Baykeeper and Volunteer Manager with water quality monitoring, shoreline cleanups, storm drain marking, rights of way monitoring, and public outreach. Interns who are residents of or strongly familiar with the Upper Bay community are preferred (Warwick, Cranston, Providence, East Providence).
Location: Save The Bay Center in Providence, RI
Time Commitment: 10-15 hours/week minimum
- Water quality monitoring occurs weekly between ~7:30am-12:30pm; exact dates TBD.
- Occasional weekend work may be necessary for special events. Interns must be available on Saturday, August 8 for the Save The Bay Swim.
Transportation: Waterkeeper interns must have access to their own reliable transportation (i.e. car). Sample drop off to URI and the Department of Health in Providence may be required. Some travel reimbursement is available on a case-by-case basis.
Age: 18+
Application Items: Online application, cover letter, and resume
Deadline: April 10. Rolling interviews/acceptance after this date, though priority will be given to applications received by the April 10 deadline. Decisions will be made by May 6, 2026.
What you will learn:
- Assist with water quality monitoring through the Department of Health and Watershed Watch programs on a weekly basis
- Follow scientific protocols and data entry guidelines to process samples.
- Lead shoreline cleanups, including weekly cleanups at Oakland Beach
- Storm drain marking in applicable project areas
- Rights of Way monitoring as available
- Public outreach at tabling events in the Upper Bay area
- Attend weekly Zoom meetings for check-ins with supervisors and other interns
What we require:
- Education: undergraduate sophomores, juniors, seniors, recent graduates, grad students, and beginning professionals working towards or having obtained a BA/BS or higher degree in biology, education, marine studies, marine affairs, or related fields
- Experience in marine and environmental sciences
- A passion for nonprofit work and the environment
- Willingness to learn, positive attitude, and ability to work independently and as a team
- Ability to do physical, outdoor work; capable of spending up to 4 hours on a small boat, leaning over the edge to put instruments in and out of the water, and working a variety of weather conditions (e.g. light rain and wind).
- Strong time management skills, self-motivated, ability to commit to and complete a project
- Strong communication, writing, and field skills preferred
- Preferred
- Experience with field and laboratory work
- Experience with data analysis and spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel and/or R
- Interns who live in or are familiar with the Upper Bay community
Details: We offer unpaid internship opportunities. We will gladly work with your university if they offer college credit for unpaid internships. Many colleges offer stipends for students doing unpaid internships. Check out our Student Guide to Internship Funding for tips!
Application link: https://forms.gle/nAnBebYzAFggFCLZ9
Note: If you feel unable to commit to a full internship, please check out our habitat restoration and shoreline cleanup volunteer opportunities. "Become a fan" of the page to receive emails when we post new events.
