The Ocean Project is currently accepting applications for internship positions. We seek creative individuals with solid communications (electronic, verbal and written) and analytical thinking skills. Based in Providence, RI, but working nationally and internationally, The Ocean Project provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as those who are recently graduated. Depending on level of education and experience, and time available, we offer a variety of internships in our office as well as other volunteer opportunities. Depending on time commitment, interns may receive a stipend and/or academic credit.

The Ocean Project advances ocean conservation in partnership with zoos, aquariums, museums (ZAMs), and other institutions and organizations. We are the largest global network focused on these issues - with more than 1,000 Partner organizations in 85 countries. Yet, we are a small organization so interns get plenty of responsibility and real work experience. We depend on bright, energetic, creative, and responsible interns to help us achieve our vision of a more sustainable society and a healthier world ocean.

The Ocean Project works with our Partner ZAMs to create a paradigm change in the way informal education centers and organizations approach and conduct education and outreach by helping them more effectively reach their visitors for behavior change and conservation outcomes.

Since most of our work is done electronically, we seek technically experienced people to help effectively reach our broad global network. We hire people who are passionate about the issues and don't mind making a difference from an office setting; creative (in a variety of ways) and can help develop new ways to effectively communicate with our Partners and the public; responsible (as individual workers and as part of a small team); good analytical thinkers; excellent communicators (electronic, verbal, and/or written); and have a good sense of humor. Different people bring different skills sets, interests, experience, and personalities, and The Ocean Project tries to hire interns who complement each other as part of our team.

We have several major initiatives that interns can help with, depending on their experience, expertise, and interest:

Environmental Communications Research Initiative — The Ocean Project plays a collaborative leadership role in providing conservation communications research, strategies, and tools to enhance Partner efforts to motivate their millions of visitors for positive action. We conduct cutting edge public opinion and market research and analysis about how the public relates to the ocean in order to build environmental literacy and encourage conservation action.

• Closely monitor all relevant public opinion and other market research (qualitative and quantitative research related to ocean and environmental values, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors)and synthesize and analyze findings

• Directly assist with ongoing national public opinion research initiative including further analysis and development of reports, as well as ongoing Partner outreach

• Identify social marketing efforts, publications and other information related to human dimensions and the environment and summarize findings for distribution to our network

• Work with Partners to develop case studies related to effectively communicating about ocean conservation and environmental issues

Seas the Day Initiative – The Ocean Project helps our Partners effectively reach their audiences for personal and societal action by developing inspirational information, tools, and products based on the latest market and public opinion research.

• Further develop and refine our comprehensive conservation action tips database
• Develop ideas and draft content for website on how issues relate to individuals and also how individuals can help in all of the major issue areas
• Develop ideas for innovative tools, products, and partnerships
• Help market this initiative comprehensively with our Partners to help them more fully utilize the content, products, and tools that we develop
• Assist in expanding our World Ocean Day website, activities, and global outreach

Watershed-Ocean Initiative – The Ocean Project is developing a worldwide mapping and water connectivity effort to help advance watershed and ocean conservation by completely changing how people perceive their sense of place, and making a stronger connection between where people live and work and the impact on the ocean. For all activities, we provide the necessary technical tutorials and cross-watershed coordination activities.

• Participate in on-line mapping efforts attaining, reviewing, and preparing available data sets into our online formats
• Help coordinate the technical development and review process for one or more watersheds
• Assist in development of on-line communities within one or more watersheds
• Develop and test our tutorials (which we mainly do through an on-line community-based volunteer program)

All interns and volunteers also help with:

• Maintain and update comprehensive database of Partners (e.g. aquariums, museums) as well as local, regional and national conservation groups
• Conduct outreach to gain new Partners
• Develop new ideas for effective outreach and help with marketing efforts related to our different initiatives
• Help develop grant proposals
• Participate in local outreach as opportunities arise (e.g. environmental festivals)
• Assist in fulfilling Partner requests for information and materials
• Conduct mailings to our partners and help with general administration tasks.

If interested, submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample (no more than three pages) to the address below (electronic communication preferred). Interns are accepted on a rolling basis.

Send applications to: 

The Ocean Project Internships
bmott [at] theoceanproject.org