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Water Quality Research Intern
Hudson RiverKeeper
Quality Assurance
Kingston, NY, USA
USD 17-17 / hour
Posted on Feb 4, 2026
ABOUT US
Riverkeeper is New York’s premier water quality advocate. Established in 1966, Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law. With an annual operating budget of $5 million, Riverkeeper is a mid-sized not-for profit operating in the Hudson Valley. For more information, visit www.riverkeeper.org.
TITLE: Water Quality Intern
DEPARTMENT: Science
REPORTS TO: Water Quality Scientist
SALARY: $17 per hour
SCHEDULE: Part-time- 20 hours per week from April 1 to October 31, 2026
LOCATION: Kingston, NY; hybrid role
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Riverkeeper’s Science Team is looking for a Water Quality Intern for the 2026 sampling season from April 1st through October 31st, 2026. The Intern will receive training in lab techniques and be expected to work independently to support Riverkeeper’s water quality monitoring projects. Office work can often be done remotely. Field work will take place in the Mid-Hudson region, and lab work will take place at Riverkeeper’s Lab in Kingston, New York (located in the Hudson River Maritime Museum). Be a part of Riverkeeper’s Water Quality program and work with community science volunteers throughout the Hudson River watershed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
(This is not an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.)
This position will coordinate the collection and ensure the accurate processing of water quality samples according to Riverkeeper’s Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance protocols, working under the guidance of Riverkeeper’s Water Quality Scientist and Community Science Manager. This sampling program is primarily focused on measuring the fecal indicator bacteria Enterococcus and E. coli. The position will assist in coordinating a core group of approximately 40-50 experienced volunteers, who are trained in water sample collection protocols and will bring samples to be analyzed in Riverkeeper’s Kingston lab. Sampling occurs monthly and will require communication and distribution of sampling supplies to volunteers via established internal protocols.
This position will primarily work out of Riverkeeper’s lab located in Kingston, NY. Occasional field work may include traveling to sampling locations in the mid-Hudson region to collect water samples and in-field measurements, as well as opportunities for ship-based field work in the Hudson River Estuary. Lab work will primarily consist of processing water samples using the IDEXX Colilert and Enterolert systems. If time allows, the Intern could learn and conduct other lab work such as nutrient or pigment analyses and DNA extractions. The Intern will also be responsible for data entry tasks, including but not limited to scanning of data sheets and entry in Google Sheets.
This is a internship and the person who is chosen will be trained and accompanied during the start of the season to ensure they have the necessary support to accomplish their responsibilities. You do not need to meet all of the qualifications, just be willing to learn!
EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
Research shows that people from under-represented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.
Desired Qualifications
The Science Team at Riverkeeper is looking for a highly motivated person with:
- Ability to commit to being in Riverkeeper’s Kingston lab on specific days throughout the sampling season from May to October
- Experience in scientific laboratories, demonstrated by prior research experience or successful completion of multiple undergraduate biology, chemistry, or earth sciences courses with laboratories
- Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to reliably follow instructions in order to produce reliable data in our laboratory
- Excellent organizational skills and experience with data entry, including Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
- After sufficient training, ability to work independently to meet program goals
- Willingness and ability to communicate about challenges they may experience with tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines
- Ability to collaborate and work with members of the water quality team to ensure their tasks are accomplished
- Ability to connect with, value, and coordinate volunteers
- Access to reliable transportation for travel within the mid-Hudson region
- Commitment to the values and mission of Riverkeeper
- Cell phone required
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with IDEXX FIB recreational water quality monitoring
- Experience with microbiology, analytical chemistry, or comparable lab techniques
- Experience with field ecology or aquatic environmental sampling procedures
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Occasional field work may include traveling to sampling locations in the mid-Hudson region to collect water samples and in-field measurements, as well as opportunities for ship-based field work in the Hudson River Estuary.
- All employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Riverkeeper is an AA/EEO employer. Riverkeeper is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. Our work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law.