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Virginia Oyster Restoration Intern
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Annapolis, MD, USA
USD 17-17 / hour
Posted on Jan 23, 2026
Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Virginia Oyster Restoration Intern in the Advocacy and Restoration Department to be based at the Brock Environmental Center located in Virginia Beach, VA.
About the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Established in 1966, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally—after decades of failed efforts—be removed from the Clean Water Act’s impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.
CBF has a staff of approximately 230 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.
CBF’s headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world’s most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
CBF has 200,000 members and supporters and an annual budget of approximately $30 million. For more information on CBF, please visit our About CBF page.
About the Hiring Department
Advocacy and Restoration
CBF’s Advocacy and Restoration department defends and restores the Chesapeake Bay by protecting the Bay’s natural resources from pollution and other harmful activities by fighting for strong and effective laws and regulations; restoring the Bay’s essential habitats and filtering mechanisms; and involving citizens in CBF’s environmental efforts by recruiting, training, and incorporating them as effective partners and leaders.
Context of the Position
The Oyster Restoration Intern will assist Chesapeake Bay Foundation Oyster Restoration Center staff with restoration projects in Hampton Roads. While this is mostly an outside field position, some administrative tasks will also be required. Applicants should be comfortable working outside in the summer, in or around the water, and on small vessels. Time will be split between CBF’s Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach and field work throughout Hampton Roads.
Essential Functions
- Assist with field operations split between the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach and field operations throughout Hampton Roads. This includes spat on shell production, oyster plantings, shell recycling, the oyster gardening program, and other hands-on restoration activities.
- Assist with work on and around small vessels including some cleaning and maintenance.
- Assist with managing volunteer events associated with the program.
- Attend relevant meetings with CBF staff and other restoration partners.
- Assist with monitoring and data collection.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
Successful candidate should be a college student majoring in environmental science, marine biology, wildlife and fisheries science, aquaculture, marine affairs, or a related field. Applicants must be actively enrolled in college or a recent graduate. Previous experience with field work and data collection is preferred but not a requirement. Self-initiative, the ability to work independently, as well as with a team and excellent written and oral communication skills are required. Familiarity with Excel, Word, and Outlook required. We seek a creative thinker interested in learning about the Chesapeake Bay as well as furthering the Foundation’s mission to “Save the Bay.”
The internship will begin in June 2026 and end in August 2026. Exact start and end dates are negotiable. The successful candidate must have reliable daily transportation for travel to CBF’s Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach. Housing is not provided. Due to the physical capacity of this job, interns must be comfortable lifting 50+ pounds and be in good physical condition to work outside in all elements during the summer.
Salary Range: $17 an hour
How to Apply
Using the link below, please submit a cover letter and resume no later than February 27, 2026.
CBF offers a 36-hour work week and for full-time staff, a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 2 floating holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution. Learn more about CBF Benefits.
We Are Committed to Saving the Bay and We Need You!
Bringing together the most qualified employees with diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, perspectives, and beliefs is the key to saving the Bay. We know that talented professionals can come from anywhere and everywhere. We are proud to have created an award-winning organization where they have the opportunity to thrive while joining us in our work to achieve clean water, clean air, and a safe environment—rights that we all share.
Wondering whether you have the right credentials or background to apply? We value lived experience, are serious about embracing diversity, and are committed to building a team that represents our communities’ backgrounds. That means we want people just like you!
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and 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.