Beach Programs Internship  2024

About the Internship:

Heal the Bay’s Beach Programs team is recruiting Beach Programs Interns with an interest in working with public volunteers through marine science education and environmental outreach. The 2024 Summer Session (mid-May to mid-August) will include helping plan and execute the Beach Programs team’s volunteer activities and help plan for Coastal Cleanup Day 2024. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a dynamic and unique work environment in a non-profit office and on the beach 

The Beach Programs Intern will gain program management and non-profit experience with a reputable nonprofit that has been established for over 35 years. Heal the Bay staff are experts in their fields and have strong partnerships with multiple local agencies, non-profits, and aquariums throughout Los Angeles County and nationwide. As Los Angeles’ leading ocean conservation non-profit, Heal the Bay strives to educate the public on the impacts of plastic pollution, lower the impact of climate change stressors to the Los Angeles environment, and promote equity and environmental justice within all environmental spaces.  

Expected Working Environment: 

The Beach Programs Intern will work under the supervision of our Beach Programs Manager and will work for approximately 10-20 hours each week. Though this is a hybrid role, the intern is expected to work a minimum of 4 hours a week in the main office in Santa Monica and numerous weekends in person at volunteer events at various coastal locations in LA County. The intern is expected to start the week of May 20, and must have access to a computer and internet to complete remote work and reliable transportation for in-office/field work. Some evening and weekend work will be required. 

 Physical Requirements: 

This internship will require the ability to spend 2-3 hours outside, and willingness to work in variable weather conditions with potential exposure to heat, wind, and inclement weather while on the beach. 

 Primary Responsibilities:  

• Assist the Beach Programs team with volunteer programming coordination and execution  
• Attend Heal the Bay volunteer program events as a representative of Heal the Bay 
• Assist with the development of outreach materials for Coastal Cleanup Day 
• Assist with new volunteer Beach Captains and CCD Site Captain trainings 

• Make professional connections within the environmental field 
• Maintain a professional and enthusiastic attitude when representing Heal the Bay in public settings, meetings, events, trainings, on the phone, and via email while interacting with guests, volunteers, and staff 
• Develop an independent project and present results at the end of the internship. 

Qualifications:  

• Recently graduated or currently enrolled in a higher education program at a college or university in a degree program of Environmental Science/Studies, Communications, Business Management, Sociology, or a related field.
  OR
  A strong, dedicated interest in working in the environmental non-profit field. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Comfortable with public speaking; customer service experience is a plus 
• Well organized and detail-oriented; ability to complete tasks promptly and completely 
• Flexible and willing to adapt as necessary to shifting work environments 
• Ability to respectfully communicate with volunteers of all ages, ethnicities, exceptionalities, gender identities, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Proficiency in Eventbrite, Salesforce, and/or Canva is a plus. 
• Ability to pass a Live Scan background check if 18 years and older 

Compensation: 

This is an unpaid internship, but please contact your college or university about qualifying for college credit or scholarship opportunities. This internship is intended to support professional growth; the intern will have opportunities to network with environmental professionals and gain valuable collaboration and program management skills. The culmination of this internship will be the presentation of a personal project to Heal the Bay staff and related stakeholders. At the end of the internship, interns will be able to request a letter of recommendation.  

 How to Apply: 

Submit a cover letter and resume to  Stephanie Gebhardt Rath, Beach Programs Manager, at sgebhardtrath@healthebay.org by Friday, May 10th, 2024 for your application to be considered. Please use the phrase “Beach Programs Internship Summer 2024” in the email subject line.