BEACH CLEANUP INTERNSHIP
STATUS: OPEN – now accepting Spring 2025 applications
San Diego Coastkeeper, a non-profit organization working to protect and restore San Diego’s fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water, seeks an energetic, well-organized and self-motivated individual to fill the volunteer position of beach cleanup intern. The intern will assist in the coordination of our cleanup programs, help manage and recruit volunteers, organize supplies and data, and educate the public about the results of our cleanups and the effects of marine debris on San Diego’s watershed.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in planning and promoting community events and cleanups
- Assist staff in hosting large bi-monthly cleanups by helping set up and break down cleanup station, communicating with volunteers, distributing supplies, and educating volunteers on the use of the data sheet
- Assist in the coordination of the Beach Cleanup in a Box Program by packing boxes with supplies and keeping track of borrowed supplies
- Assist the marine debris coordinator in tallying cleanup data, and/or entering cleanup results into beach cleanup database
- Keep beach cleanup calendar updated and accurate, and submit cleanups to community event calendars as needed
- Assist Coastkeeper staff in administrative tasks related to the beach cleanup program and outreach events, as well as in the development of materials pertaining to the cleanup program
- Contribute to keeping all beach cleanup supplies organized; maintain inventories of supplies, and report on needs to the internship supervisor
- Complete a project of your choice within your scope of work: bring education to cleanup events in innovative ways, create marine debris-themed blog posts, use our community science database to analyze data in a new way, use creative volunteer recruitment and engagement tactics, etc.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should have experience with outreach, event planning, and volunteer management. Candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and a demonstrated ability to engage, motivate, and manage community volunteers. Experience with Gmail and Google Drive is required. They must be hard-working, self-motivated, demonstrate a deep commitment to and passion for environmental protection, and be able to work independently and prioritize multiple projects. Familiarity with the region’s water issues is preferred, as is Spanish language proficiency. Some level of physical exertion – carrying cleanup supplies, setting up pop-up tent and table on sandy beaches, etc. – is required. Reliable transportation is also required, as much of our work takes place in various beaches around the county. Candidates must have, or be in the process of obtaining, a college degree, and highest priority will be given to those who must complete an internship for college credit, or have an equally decisive way of verifying a deep commitment to the success of their Coastkeeper internship. Finally, weekend availability, and Saturday mornings in particular, is required.
SALARY, BENEFITS, & TERMS
This is an unpaid internship. Priority will be given to candidates seeking an internship to meet a university class or graduation requirement.
SCHEDULE
10 hours per week with varying hours, including occasional evenings and frequent weekends. Can be flexible around work and school schedules, but applicants must commit to at least one day a week in the office, as well as attending all upcoming scheduled Coastkeeper beach cleanups.
TO APPLY:
We are currently accepting applications for our fall internship program. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume, brief position-specific cover letter, and a short sample blog post (200 word max) electronically to the internship program manager at [email protected]. Applications for our Spring 2025 Internship are due by December 31st. Applications for other seasons are accepted on a rolling basis – please specify which period you would like to intern for (Spring*: January-June, Summer*: June-September, Fall*: September-December). *Dates are flexible based on intern’s availability
