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Maryland Oyster Restoration Intern
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Annapolis, MD, USA
USD 16-16 / hour
Posted on Feb 6, 2026
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks two Maryland Oyster Restoration Interns in the Advocacy and Restoration Department to be based in Maryland.
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 Maryland Oyster Restoration Intern will support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) oyster restoration program and staff in Maryland. The role will consist of both administrative aspects of the program, such volunteer engagement and event planning, as well as a great deal of emphasis on field work. The interns will also support other programmatic needs of the oyster restoration program, such as oyster gardening (a community-based program that teaches hundreds of people how to grow and care for oysters to use in restoration projects throughout Maryland) and shell recycling (partnering with restaurants to keep oyster shells out of the trash and to recover them for use in restoration).
Essential Functions
- Assist with hands-on restoration activities including spat-on-shell production, oyster planting, shell recycling, etc.
- Assist with managing volunteer events associated with the program.
- Help CBF Oyster Team staff with general office/administrative support, including data entry and filing, digital and material organization, among other tasks.
- Attend relevant meetings with CBF staff and other restoration partners.
- Help CBF Oyster Team staff manage the oyster gardening and shell recycling programs
- Help prepare materials for any events including advocacy asks, spat-on-shell, cages, spreadsheets, etc.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
Candidates should be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program (undergraduate or graduate) or a recent graduate of such a program. Preference will be given to student obtaining or who have obtained degrees in environmental science, biology, marine science, or other, similar subjects. The successful candidates should have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; an ability to work effectively with staff and volunteers, as well as independently; and an ability to be a self-starter. Previous experience with fieldwork and data collection is preferred but not a requirement. Excellent time management skills needed to handle multiple, concurrent projects. Familiarity with Excel, Word, and Outlook required. We seek creative thinkers interested in learning about the Chesapeake Bay as well as furthering the Foundation’s mission to “Save the Bay.” This internship will take place in approximately May-August of 2026. The exact start and end dates during that time frame are negotiable.
The successful candidates must have reliable daily transportation for travel in Maryland. The majority of the work will take place in Anne Arundel County but travel to other areas within the state such as Baltimore, the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland is required. In addition, this position may involve working some evenings and weekends.
Housing is not provided. Due to the physical capacity of this job, interns must be comfortable lifting 30-50 pounds and be in good physical condition to work outside in all elements during the summer. Applicants should be comfortable in or around the water and on boats.
Salary Range: $16 an hour (not to exceed 32 hours per week)
How to Apply
Using the link below, please submit a cover letter and resume no later than. This position will remain open until filled.
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.