MPA Watch Internship – Summer 2026

Heal the Bay’s Science, Policy, and Outreach Department is recruiting for a self-motivated MPA Watch intern with an interest in marine protected areas (MPAs), coastal conservation, social science, and fieldwork for the Summer Session (June to August). The intern will report to our Science and Policy Associate Specialist and work both in the field at MPA sites and virtually for approximately 10-20 hours each week with flexible scheduling. The intern is expected to start the week of June 1^st and continue for 10 weeks, concluding the week of August 7. The intern is expected to provide their own transportation to and from MPA field sites in Malibu and Palos Verdes, though a travel stipend to cover gas and automobile expenses will be provided. Interns are trained to observe and collect unbiased data on coastal and marine resource use.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain scientific fieldwork experience and to work with an established non-profit. Heal the Bay is a non-profit environmental organization with 40 years of experience making the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean. We use science, education, community action, and advocacy to fulfill our mission. Heal the Bay’s community science program, MPA Watch, is part of a statewide network and collects valuable scientific data to inform various government and other organizations about human use at MPA sites and inform MPA management.

There are required physical expectations that an individual must possess in order to successfully perform essential internship responsibilities, including:

• Ability to spend 4-5 hours outside and willingness to do so under harsh weather conditions, if necessary.
• Ability to conduct interview surveys with public beachgoers.
• Ability to complete moderate hiking and willingness to do so under harsh weather conditions, if necessary.
• Ability to provide transportation to and from survey sites in Malibu and Palos Verdes.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs.
• Ability to push and pull up to 50lbs.
• This is an unpaid internship with a travel stipend to cover transportation costs. Please contact your college or university about qualifying for college credit or scholarship opportunities.
• Please note that this is a hybrid internship. Interns must have reliable access to a computer and internet to complete remote work in addition to field work and in-person attendance at our headquarters located in Santa Monica.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Complete MPA Watch beach surveys of human activities inside and outside protected areas for MPA Watch program.
• Complete MPA Watch Intercept Surveys with public beachgoers regarding their understanding of MPAs and barriers they may face in accessing them. Assist in compiling results and feedback into a final report.
• Assist in organization and management of the MPA Watch database.
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control on MPA Watch surveys in the database.
• Assist in the development and implementation of MPA Watch volunteer trainings.
• Assist in MPA Watch volunteer events and coordination.
• Attend virtual weekly MPA Watch team meetings
• Maintain a professional and enthusiastic attitude when representing Heal the Bay in public settings, meeting, events, and trainings.

Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled at or recently graduated from a college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student.
• Must be currently enrolled or recently graduated in a degree program of Environmental Studies, Marine Science, Geography, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Policy, or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented; ability to complete projects promptly and completely.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team.
• Preferred: experience in conducting data collection and/or research and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Compensation: Unpaid. School credit available at participating schools/colleges.

How to Apply: Applicants must send a resume and cover letter to Zoë Collins, Science and Policy Associate Specialist, at zcollins@healthebay.org by May 8^th, 2026, for application to be considered.

Heal the Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and we strongly encourage applications from individuals that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County. If you don’t meet all of the preferred skills above, you are still encouraged to apply and will be considered based on diverse and equivalent skills and experience. 

Heal the Bay complies with AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, during the hiring process. Once a conditional job offer has been made the candidate will be asked to complete a Live Scan criminal background check. A thorough assessment of conviction history will be considered including the nature and gravity of the criminal history, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job the candidate is seeking.