Internship with Clean Ocean Action

Marine Water Quality Intern


Clean Ocean Action


Swarna Muthukrisnan: science@cleanoceanaction.org or


Cindy Zipf: zipf@cleanoceanaction.org; both at 732-872-0111


2018 Spring Semester






Internship Overview


The Water Quality Intern will primarily work on COA’s Rally for the Waterways Program, which is a uniquely-collaborative initiative that focuses on tracking down sources of bacterial pollution and facilitating solutions to reduce nonpoint source runoff in the watershed. COA is working on bacteria source track down, outreach, education, and community engagement under the “Rally for the Waterways” initiative to fix the nonpoint source runoff contamination in the Navesink and Deal Lake watersheds. The WQ Intern will work on coordinating various aspects of the ongoing Navesink ambient bacteria source trackdown citizen monitoring being coordinated by COA for NJ DEP. The intern will be responsible for all sampling logistics, including pick up/drop off of sample bottles from NJDEP’s laboratory at Leeds Point, NJ. The Intern will work closely with the Staff Scientist and Coastal Watershed Protection Coordinator (with periodic oversight from the Executive Director and COO) and will perform a variety of tasks.






List of Tasks


(i) Preparing sampling kits and transporting field samples to DEP lab every week


(ii) In the field communicating with the volunteers, and communicating with DEP and COA about the sampling schedule


(iii) Ensuring that all paperwork related to sampling and data are accurate and updated on the COA shared drive


(iv) Assisting with the monthly meetings for the Rally for the Navesink


(v) Delivering samples to Leeds Point, NJ, within designated time, and according to protocol and collecting sampling containers for the next week’s sampling


(vi) Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service, Water Resources at NJAES completed several Impervious' Area Cover Assessment Maps and Reduction Plans for municipalities in the Navesink River Watershed. The WQ Intern will prepare a report on the status of these documents within the several towns to help community groups move forward with implementation. Evaluation criteria will be developed.






Estimated total hours: 125 – 150 and Wednesday availability is required


Requirements and qualifications: The successful candidate needs to have an understanding of marine water quality issues, good laboratory and sampling practices, and must have experience working with people who are young and old. A working car and the ability to pack, lift and deliver heavy bins are required. Experience with GIS, social media, and google docs are a plus.


Compensation: The Intern will receive reimbursement for travel expenses (excluding commuting) at .40 per mile plus tolls and parking.