Summer Field Technician Internship

Project Description:

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) and Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) seek a summer intern for late May through mid-August 2026 (12 weeks) to assist with NCBO’s field-based science and observation efforts.

The Chesapeake Bay is a dynamic ecosystem with highly variable environmental conditions. In order to monitor, understand, and forecast these conditions, data needs to be continuously collected, quality-controlled, and delivered to stakeholders. NCBO collects, processes, and delivers observations data in support of research, management, and protection of Bay habitats. Healthy habitats are a vital part of maintaining healthy fish stocks. 

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Field Team is seeking a summer intern to support:

  1. On-board hydrographic surveying of depth at constructed oyster reef sites to address hazard to navigation issues and structural metrics
  2. On-board support operations and maintenance of observation buoys used to collect water quality and meteorological data (Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System) 
  3. Poplar Island restoration fish community monitoring
    1. Marsh resident fish sampling to understand their use of restored saltmarsh habitats
    2. Record fish abundance data and database entry 

The selected intern will also have the opportunity to use a range of data while working alongside NCBO staff furthering both theirs and our understanding of bay habitats.

Opportunities:

This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to large-scale, long-term ecological research critical to understanding Chesapeake Bay habitat and  living resources. This position provides insights into careers in marine science and ocean engineering, and exposure to government agency culture. In addition, the internship experience will provide a background in restoration science, oceanography, and ecology. The position will also provide an opportunity to expand the intern’s knowledge of Chesapeake Bay flora and fauna and the technologies related to field research and ecosystem monitoring.

Deliverables 

  • Active participation in NCBO’s field data collection operations
  • Database maintenance
  • Logistical support and equipment/facility maintenance
  • Identify two to three personal professional development goals to achieve during the internship, determine steps to achieve those goals, and report on that progress. Examples of professional development goals include developing particular professional skills, learning particular topics related to NOAA, developing a broader professional network, or attending professional and/or academic conferences.
  • Develop a novel analytical project or product to work on with CBO field staff and report out on the outcomes of the work.
  • Presentation to NCBO staff at the conclusion of the internship summarizing the experiences gained and work conducted. 

Eligibility

  • Must be a resident and/or attend a college/university within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (NY, PA, MD, DE, DC, VA or WV)
  • Must be a college-level student entering junior or senior year of undergraduate study
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and willing to undergo a security background check

Required Qualifications 

  • Willingness to engage in physically demanding work, typically taking place outdoors on a boat, with expectation of occasional adverse conditions and partial water immersion
  • Willingness to handle living organisms
  • Timeliness and ability to adhere to planned work schedules
  • Ability to maintain open and frequent communication with mentors using Google Workspace applications
  • Basic knowledge of data structures such as spreadsheets and tables
  • Scientific curiosity
  • Motivated self-starter with ability to work and reason independently
  • Be a college-level student entering junior or senior year of undergraduate study
  • Be a U.S. Citizen and willing to undergo a security background check
  • GIS, R, Python, MS Access, Vessel safety

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with database and statistical software such as MS Access and R
  • Experience with GIS
  • Experience working on vessels
  • Knowledge of and/or comfort in using reference sources on flora and fauna of the Chesapeake Bay

Work Location and Duration 

We envision that this position will be an in-person position and will be based out of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office in Annapolis, Maryland (NCBO Warehouse). 

The position will begin in mid-May and conclude in mid-August and will be in place for 12 weeks. We plan on providing interns with access to a NOAA computer,email and phone services (in the office). 

Compensation 

The intern will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $6,500 for the equivalent of 12 weeks (422 hours). Funds are available to compensate interns for occasional work-related travel. Additionally a $1000 housing allowance is available upon request and with demonstrated need. Candidates should expect to follow a normal weekday work schedule (roughly 9-5, M-F) with occasional variations for possible field work or other activities. No benefits are provided. 

Application Instructions 

Applicants are instructed to register with the Chesapeake Jobs online application website: https://chesapeake.org/ncbo/ to apply.  You will be instructed to submit a resume detailing your education and work experience and a cover letter that details your interest in this position and describes how your skill set will contribute to the work described above, along with three references. Please include your first and last name in the file name for both your resume and cover letter. The deadline for applications is February 8, 2026.

Application Form