OST interns will gain experience working in a dynamic, small non-profit environment. Interns often have the opportunity to both lead and support a range of projects and initiatives based on their interests, as well as work closely with many OST staff and our state, philanthropic, NGO, and university partners. Interns will be exposed to a range of science integration tools and build practical skills that will serve a range of marine science-policy career paths. OST will also support skills building activities like science-policy writing, project management, resume and CV building, workshop facilitation and planning, workplan and budget development, science communication and stakeholder engagement, and more.

We will do our best to accommodate various internship structures, but the most engaging OST internship experiences have been those that are structured as full-time and continuous (3-week minimum, but several month appointments are highly encouraged).

We strive to position our interns to be successful members of the marine science-policy workforce. Our previous interns have gone on to continue their graduate education, have been matched in the California Sea Grant State Fellow program, have been hired on at OST, or have successfully obtained careers in natural resource management or policy.

We are currently positioned to host graduate-level (M.S. or Ph.D.) interns through a variety of structured graduate internship programs throughout California and beyond. Such programs must articulate clear educational goals, internship hours or timing, compensation (e.g., university credit or stipend), stipulations for vacation and sick leave, and provide appropriate liability coverages. As appropriate, OST will consider matching funds to support an internship position. At this time, OST cannot provide health insurance or housing.

Internship requests will be evaluated on a first-come-first serve basis and acceptance will be based on an individual’s educational and career interests, our organizational needs, capacity, and ability to provide the intern with an immersive, productive experience.

To date we have hosted interns from programs California State University COAST Program (CSU COAST), CSU Monterey Bay, and the San Francisco State University Estuary and Ocean Science Center RIPTIDES Program, and we are interested in broadening the range of institutions and programs with which we partner to host interns.

OST values an equitable, multicultural workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to engaging the skills, perspectives, and leadership of people of color, LGBTQ people, and other individuals from marginalized backgrounds; we encourage these candidates to request an internship at OST.

OST offices are located in Sacramento and Oakland, California. Internship location may vary depending on an individual’s needs and interests, and the location of an internship supervisor. OST may also consider remote work for a portion of the internship on a case-by-case basis. Some in-state travel may be encouraged.

If you are enrolled in a graduate-level education program with internship requirements and are interested in exploring an internship with Ocean Science Trust, reach out to us with your resume/CV, short description of your internship program, and a short message about your interests. Positions are on a first-come-first serve basis, and in consideration of current OST capacity and project availability.