The U.S. Government is closed. This site will not be updated; however NOAA websites and social media channels necessary to protect lives and property will be maintained. To learn more, visit www.commerce.gov. For the latest forecast and critical weather information, visit www.weather.gov. 

The U.S. government is closed. This site will not be updated; however, NOAA websites and social media channels necessary to protect lives and property will be maintained. To learn more, visit commerce.gov. 

For the latest forecasts and critical weather information, visit weather.gov.

Exploring the Future of Estuary Monitoring: Drones, GIS, and Public Science Storytelling (Coos Bay, Oregon)

Summary / Description

Spend 10 weeks exploring tidal marshes, flying drones, and helping tell the story of how estuaries are changing. This immersive summer internship at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve gives students hands-on experience in estuarine science, GIS, and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), while working alongside professional scientists in the field and office. The mentor is a GIS and UAS specialist and seeking an intern who is willing to work in the field and then return to the office to translate science into stories.  

Interns won’t just observe—they’ll actively participate in real research projects, from collecting field data in coastal wetlands to processing drone imagery and creating maps and visuals that support long-term sea level rise monitoring. You’ll gain experience with cutting-edge tools like RTK GPS, UAS platforms, and GIS software, while cross-training with the Reserve’s science team to explore multiple research and monitoring programs.

 A unique aspect of this internship is the opportunity to translate science for the public. Interns will help turn data and field experiences into engaging content for social media and outreach, connecting coastal science to real-world audiences. The ability to write in Spanish is preferred but not mandatory.

By the end of the summer, interns will leave with practical skills, professional experience, and a deeper understanding of how science, technology, and communication come together to support coastal conservation.

Skills Required

This internship is designed for students or early-career individuals who may not yet possess all of the technical skills listed below but demonstrate a strong interest in developing them. Desired skills and learning interests include estuarine and marine fieldwork, geodetic and surveying techniques (including RTK GPS systems), and the operation of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for data collection, mapping, and media capture. Interns should be interested in gaining experience with GIS and remote sensing tools such as ArcGIS Pro and Drone2Map, including processing drone imagery, working with elevation data, and conducting basic spatial analyses. A willingness to participate in biological and environmental monitoring; such as eelgrass surveys, vegetation plots, sediment dynamics research, water quality monitoring, and other field-based projects; is essential. Interns should be comfortable working outdoors in a variety of marine and estuarine environments, eager to learn new technical and analytical skills, and able to collaborate effectively as part of a research team while demonstrating curiosity, adaptability, and enthusiasm for marine science and environmental research.

The intern will also contribute to scientific communications and outreach for South Slough by supporting the creation of engaging, accessible content that highlights ongoing research, monitoring, and conservation efforts. Responsibilities will include developing social media posts, outreach and educational materials, and other public-facing communications that translate scientific data and findings into clear, compelling stories for non-technical audiences. The intern will have opportunities to use Canva and Adobe software, assist with video editing, and develop science-based storytelling through written narratives, visuals, and short-form media. This role may also include interviewing staff and fellow interns to create human-interest stories that showcase the people behind the science. Interest or experience in bilingual communication, particularly translating materials into Spanish, is highly valued but not required.

It’s important for the intern to be organized, dependable and flexible, as fieldwork schedules can be dynamic (e.g., early morning low-tide work) and subject to last-minute changes. An ideal intern will work well in a group but also be comfortable taking initiative or working independently. Much of the work takes place outdoors. The intern should be comfortable working outside for many hours and able to hike in coastal habitats (including off trail into marshes, dunes and mudflats), often while carrying a heavy backpack. They are expected to work collaboratively with other interns, volunteers and staff. Interns will be required to have a driver’s license and should be comfortable or willing to learn to drive Reserve vehicles, including 4WD trucks.

Type of Opportunity

  • Combined research and science communications

Location

  • In person – South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Charleston, OR Note – The intern’s place of work will be split between the Reserve science lab and offices, on the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology campus (Charleston, OR) and the Reserve Visitor Center within the Reserve proper, about 10 minutes’ drive away. Limited housing is available at visiting researcher accommodations within the Reserve. The South Slough Reserve is in a rural setting with very limited public transportation options; therefore, having a personal vehicle is highly recommended. Interns with their own vehicles will have an easier time exploring the area and getting to town to access services (e.g., laundry, grocery). State vehicles are available to interns for work use only.

Other Information

  • Intern Supervisor:  Jennifer Kirkland
  • Number of Slots Available:  1