Research Associate Technician

The Billion Oyster Project summer Research Associate Technician Internship program is an exciting way for young adults who have completed high school to explore careers in marine science, environmental education and engagement, and non-profit-related fields. Apply now to join the 2026 cohort!

Deadline to Apply: March 13, 2026

Salary: $19/hour

Start/End Dates: May 18, 2026 - August 21, 2026 (flexibility to start earlier and/or end later)

Job Application Link

Demographic Survey

To apply: Applicants (including high school graduates, college undergrads, and postgraduates) will need to submit a resume, short project idea, and cover letter via the enclosed link, addressed to the Public Outreach Program Manager.

What You’ll Do: The Research Associate Technician interns will provide support to all departments of Billion Oyster Project through a specific programmatic focus. See below for the programmatic focuses offered. Interns will also have the opportunity to engage with other departments outside of their focus to gain an understanding of an environmental non-profit. The Research Associate Technician will also be responsible for producing a research project* and presenting this project to Billion Oyster Project staff at the end of the season. As a Research Associate Technician intern, you will fully integrate into the organization, attending and reporting at staff-wide meetings and functions. All Research Associate Technicians will have on-site focus supervisors. The Associate Director of Engagement Programs manages the Research Associate Technician Program.

Please note that this program is designed to be a learning experience, and Billion Oyster Project will offer training and career mentorship. We understand that no candidate has 100% of the listed job qualifications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply for this position if you believe you can complete the responsibilities. We encourage anyone interested in or passionate about these programmatic focuses to apply.

• Research Project Details

Throughout the summer as a Research Associate Technician intern at Billion Oyster Project, you will be expected to develop and present a final project or product that reflects your experience, interests, and skills. This project does not have to be a traditional research paper. Instead, it can take many forms, from creative storytelling to hands-on education tools, data analysis, or education and outreach initiatives. Your project does not have to align with the specific department you’re working in, but it should meaningfully contribute to BOP’s mission. We encourage you to think outside the box and propose a project idea in your application that excites you!

Potential Project Ideas:

• Creative & Artistic – Art installations, interactive exhibits, or multimedia storytelling about New York Harbor.
• Educational & Outreach-Focused – An educational activity (i.e., card game), workshop, or hands-on activity to teach students or volunteers about marine life.
• Science & Research-Based – Data visualization, biodiversity surveys, or water quality mapping.
• Community Engagement & Policy – A social media campaign, event concept, or proposal to improve water access and restoration efforts.

When applying, you will be asked to include a brief idea for a potential final project—this does not have to be a fully formed plan, nor is it set in stone, but it should give us insight into how you’d like to contribute through your work as an intern.

The Internship Site: Internship sites will vary depending on concentration. Primary locations include the MAST Center at 134 Carder Road and Building 20 in Nolan Park on Governors Island, as well as NYC school sites and Billion Oyster Project restoration locations throughout New York City.

Billion Oyster Project Programmatic Focus:

Candidates should provide their Programmatic Focus choices via the application form.

Outdoor Learning

• Assist the Education Team in delivering engaging, hands-on educational activities for youth groups, school classes, and summer camp participants, primarily at Oyster Research Station (ORS) sites, community partner locations, and Governors Island.
• Provide logistical and instructional support for outdoor learning expeditions, classroom workshops, and harbor-based activities, helping educators and students connect with New York Harbor through experiential learning opportunities.
• Lead or co-facilitate Days of Service on Governors Island, introducing visitors to the Billion Oyster Project’s mission, restoration efforts, and the ecological importance of oysters in New York Harbor.
• Represent the Billion Oyster Project at school-based table events, student symposiums, and environmental education fairs, engaging students and teachers in discussions about harbor restoration, marine science, and education opportunities.

Notes on this role:

• This role follows a structured schedule, typically Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility required to accommodate school programming and special events. Daily schedules may vary and will not always consist of an eight-hour workday. Hours may fluctuate based on program needs.
• Interns should have strong teaching, facilitation, and public engagement skills, along with a passion for outdoor education and environmental stewardship. Note that the audience range is K-12.
• Much of this role involves field-based activities, requiring comfort working outdoors in various weather conditions and engaging with diverse student audiences.

Restoration Field Support

• Support the Oyster Reefs, Oyster Production, Fabrication, and Shell Collection programs within the Restoration Team, primarily in the field (Governors Island and active or planned reef sites) throughout New York Harbor, with some office work as needed.
• Assist the Oyster Reefs team by participating in annual and biannual monitoring, conducting pre-construction data collection activities, and performing gear maintenance.
• Contribute to the Oyster Production team by assisting with deployments and supporting hatchery production maintenance activities.
• Assist the Shell Collection team by fulfilling shell requests, assisting with shell recycling on Governors Island, and collaborating with current restaurant partners.

Notes on this role:

• This is a field-heavy role that primarily takes place on Governors Island and at reef sites across NYC, with some office work for Shell Collection.
• The position requires flexibility in working hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends based on tides and project needs.
• Priority will be given to the Oyster Reefs team, with time shared among the other programs. While the schedule may vary, the total hours will not exceed a maximum of 32 hours per week. Candidates with a valid driver’s license and are 21 or over are preferred.

Volunteer and Fabrication

• Assist with delivering public volunteer events on Governors Island.
• Support Volunteer Fabrication Days, engaging public volunteers in oyster structure construction and shell processing.
• Support volunteer initiatives by helping facilitate Oyster Research Station (ORS) monitoring, data collection, and maintenance.
• Staff volunteer outreach table to engage passersby, share information about Billion Oyster Project, and encourage participation in upcoming volunteer events and restoration activities.

Notes on this role:

• This role requires weekend availability, with a typical schedule running Tuesday through Sundays to accommodate public engagement events.
• Fieldwork is a significant component of this position, requiring comfort with outdoor, hands-on activities in various weather conditions and the ability to lift materials as needed. Interns will work 32 hours per week, with some flexibility based on event schedules and volunteer needs.

Donor Relations

• Assist with delivering corporate volunteer events on Governors Island.
• Support Corporate Fabrication Days, engaging corporate volunteers in oyster structure construction and shell processing.
• Collaborate with the Development team to support donor engagement strategies, assisting with donor research and qualification, outreach initiatives, and stewardship efforts
• Support the management of donor data and communications assets by updating BOP’s CRM database, organizing media files, and ensuring effective use of digital tools.
• Provide event support as needed, including corporate tours/events, donor tours and other cultivation events.

Notes on this role:

• This role requires a flexible work schedule, with a mix of office work and in-the-field responsibilities, particularly around key donor events and high-visibility engagements.
• Interns should have strong writing skills, an interest in digital media, and a willingness to learn new technologies.
• Interns will work 32 hours per week, with schedules varying depending on donor visits, public events, and communication deadlines.

Communications & Content

• Assist with marketing and communications efforts by drafting compelling copy for digital media, including social media posts, newsletters, campaigns, and website updates. Ensure that all messaging aligns with Billion Oyster Project’s mission and branding.
• Support content creation efforts for the larger Billion Oyster Project brand, as well as key programming.
• Work with the Comms team to build out social media assets and other external outreach programming.
• Research current trends on social media that can help us bolster our following.
• Support with event activation when it comes to big brand moments and/or programming efforts that require marketing support.
• Assist in video and photo shoots onsite with the education and restoration teams.
• Support with restaurant partner marketing, especially asset creation.

Notes on this role:

• This role works closely with Billion Oyster Project's Director of Comms, Graphic Designer, Videographer and Photographer.
• This role will require candidates to be 21 or over and have a valid driver’s license.

All Hands on Deck: All interns will have the opportunity to docent at the Exhibit House, monitor oyster reefs, and collect data at our sites across the city. Additionally, interns will work together at large events such as the Billion Oyster Project Symposium.

Requirements Are:

• Self-motivated, highly organized, upbeat, and flexible
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with all teams
• Positive work ethic
• Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, and public speaking
• Strong time management and customer service skills
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and/or Google Suite
• Some duties may require moving equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds
• Some work will take place on boats, wading in the water, and on-shore in various weather conditions
• Ability to work some weekends

The Ideal Candidate:

• Familiar with marine science, environmental studies, and/or the maritime industry
• Familiar with data management
• Enjoys communicating with the public
• Enjoys working with students, volunteers, and marine life
• Ability to perform administrative tasks with an eye for detail
• Enjoys working in and/or around the water and being outdoors for an extended time
• Flexible to schedule changes
• Experience teaching or providing informal instruction to children and/or adults (or willingness to learn)
• Ability to travel with the crew on small vessels

Who We Are and the Work We Do

About

Billion Oyster Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives. Billion Oyster Project is fueled by the passion and commitment of the team. Enthusiasm for the work of environmental restoration, public education, and environmental justice is an expectation for the position. Candidates should be comfortable working on a team with various stakeholders and delivering on complex, multi-step projects.

Our Vision

A future in which New York Harbor is the center of a rich, diverse, and abundant estuary. The communities that surround this complex ecosystem have helped construct it, and in return, benefit from it, with endless opportunities for work, education, and recreation. The harbor is a world-class public space, well used and well cared for—our Commons.

Our Ethos

Restoration through Education We believe that restoration without education is fleeting. To ensure the long-term health and productivity of our natural environment, we must teach young people to care for, monitor, and restore their Harbor. Education through Restoration We believe that students learn best when applying their studies to large-scale ecosystem restoration projects that challenge them to become active participants and take them out of the classroom, down to the water’s edge to experience the ecosystem first-hand.

Our Flagship School

The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School’s mission is to provide a college-preparatory education built upon New York City's maritime experience that instills in students the ethics of environmental stewardship and the skills associated with careers on the water. New York Harbor School offers career and technical education (CTE) programs in 7 areas of marine science, technology, policy, and engineering.

Additional Information

Employment Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an Employment Visa at this time.

Work Location

Applicants must reside within the tri-state area and be able to commute daily to Governors Island unless otherwise noted in the job description.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Billion Oyster Project is working towards a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve. We want to foster an environment of mutual respect where every race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression is not only celebrated, but eligible for equal employment opportunities. From educators to interns to restoration practitioners — working from Soundview Park to Staten Island to Sunset Park — we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion across our team are critical to the success of Billion Oyster Project. With this in mind, we will only begin evaluating applicants once a diverse candidate pool has been achieved, and we look forward to developing and retaining the most talented full-time individuals in the Greater New York City area.

We are collecting your optional demographic information to ensure our recruiting efforts are effective. Any information that you choose to provide is not linked to your application and is gathered for recruitment purposes only. Submission of this information is voluntary and declining to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. The information obtained will be kept confidential within Human Resources and may only be used in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws. If you have questions about this, or how we define any of the following demographics, reach out to our HR department at HR@billionoysterproject.org.

Fingerprinting

Any person working in the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) buildings, working with NYC DOE students, or who has access to NYC DOE confidential information is required by New York State law to undergo a security clearance, including fingerprints, prior to commencing services. All prospective employees must have a security clearance before starting work. No one can be fingerprinted by the NYC DOE or undergo security clearance unless they have been added to the organization or agency's Personnel Eligibility Tracking System roster.