Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) is pleased to announce that the Division of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is now accepting applications for a Natural Resource Management and Outreach Internship. This six-month opportunity will be based at the St. Croix East End Marine Park (STXEEMP).
Funded through the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, this recurring internship is designed to provide hands-on experience and professional development for individuals interested in careers in natural resource management. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or someone passionate about environmental stewardship, this program offers a valuable pathway into the field under the mentorship of experienced DPNR staff.
Position Details:
- Duration: 6 months
- Location: STXEEMP, St. Croix
- Schedule: 35 hours/week
- Compensation: $16.50/hour
- Local applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
Internship Responsibilities:
- Support biological monitoring efforts (sea turtles, birds, coral, fish, conch, and lobster)
- Assist with outreach and education initiatives (community events, content creation, guided tours)
- Participate in coral nursery maintenance (snorkeling or SCUBA diving required)
- Help manage the coastal plant nursery (watering, out planting, up-potting)
- Contribute to park upkeep (trail clearing, signage, invasive species removal)
- Develop and present a capstone project
Candidate Requirements:
- Must be able to swim and participate in water-based activities
- Strong interest in STEM or natural resource careers
- Willingness to work outdoors in challenging conditions
- Excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for public engagement
- Self-motivated with strong attention to detail
As part of the internship, the selected candidate will receive Open Water SCUBA certification, fully funded by DPNR-CZM.
To apply and view the full position description, visit: https://bit.ly/CZMInternship
For more information, contact: Kelcie Troutman, Marine Park Coordinator
kelcie.troutman@dpnr.vi.gov or at (340) 718-3367.
