Host: The California Ocean Science Trust (OST) is a non-profit organization that works across the boundaries between government, science and communities to support California’s goal of maintaining a healthy, resilient, and productive ocean for the benefit of current and future generations. OST promotes the use of independent science to inform policy and decisions. Our projects span the gamut of topics, from ocean acidification and sea-level rise, to advancing science in fisheries management, to monitoring marine protected areas.
Location: Oakland (map)
Internship Dates: June 4 – August 17, 2018; start and end dates are flexible with regard to student’s academic commitments and project schedule.
Stipend: $5,000
Time Commitment: The internship is a full time, 11-week commitment. Over the 11 weeks, the intern may take up to five days off for personal reasons, vacation or illness. If participation is less than 100%, the stipend will be pro-rated.
Position Description and Responsibilities: The OST intern will engage in a variety of projects across many program areas based on a balance between our organizational needs and the intern’s background and interests. The intern will collaborate to varying degrees with the full OST team. The intern may engage on a range of projects and program areas, with a focus on climate change and ocean acidification.
Potential areas of engagement include
Expanding and Integrating Knowledge on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH): With the release of the West Coast OAH Science Panel’s “Major Findings, Recommendations, and Actions” in April of 2016, California decision-makers have pursued a diverse set of actions that span management and policy jurisdictions. OST continues work with the State to inform further actions that may be taken to understand and reduce impacts from OAH. The intern may support several new efforts, including convening the OAH Science Task Force on behalf of the CA Ocean Protection Council and exploring OA hotspots in California to assess vulnerability of species, ecosystems, and human communities.
Promoting Climate Change Resilience and Adaptive Capacity: We are supporting the State with the science needed to adapt to a changing climate by developing a “State of the Science” Ocean and Coastal Report for California’s 4th Climate Assessment. This effort will articulate the multitude of consequences climate change may have for ocean and coastal ecosystems and communities, and science-based solutions to promote resilience. The intern may support final report development and communication efforts and assist with meeting planning and coordination.
Working with the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team (OPC-SAT): Ocean Science Trust coordinates all activities of the OPC-SAT, a team of 24 interdisciplinary scientists from California and beyond that provide scientific and technical advice to the State and act as a conduit to the broader scientific community on behalf of decision-makers. We host annual public workshops of the OPC-SAT where we discuss how the team is addressing state priorities, and launch new initiatives, including Expert Taskforces and Expert Panels. The intern may assist with scoping and planning an in-person Fall 2018 workshop working closely with the OPC and other state partners support OPC-SAT communications, including development of webpage content, blog writing, newsletters, and social media.
Specific tasks may include
Translational science writing and communications: Translating complex science for diverse audiences to provide a rigorous foundation for policy and management dialogues. This may include developing white papers, translational reports, and meeting summaries on a range of topics, and assisting with science communications and online content development (e.g., blogs, webpages, newsletters, social media).
Project management: Project management tasks related to convening and coordinating groups of technical experts to develop products in support of management. This may include assisting OST staff with project scoping, developing workplans and budgets, scheduling and hosting meetings, development and review of products, and communications.
Meeting and workshop planning: Assisting with planning and logistics and for various meetings, conference calls, briefings, webinars and workshops with scientists and decision-makers.
Preferred Experience and Capabilities: Interest in advancing a role for science in decision-making on behalf of California’s marine and coastal ecosystems. Able to take on diverse tasks and play a supporting role as needed to achieve organizational goals. Ability to participate in collaborative processes to generate timely products, and to work effectively with diverse public and private partners. Core internship duties may be performed by students with physical disabilities or limitations.
Skills Gained: This internship will provide a diverse educational and career experience, and numerous opportunities to interact with high-level scientists, managers, policymakers, and other partners in the NGO and stakeholder communities, as well participate in meetings and workshops. OST will mentor the intern by drafting and pursuing professional goals, offering assistance in resume building, and ensuring the intern is provided networking opportunities.
Eligibility/Requirements: The intern must be authorized to work in the U.S. Travel within California may be required. The intern must possess a valid driver’s license permitting driving within the U.S. and may be required to use their own vehicle for travel, reimbursable at the state rate. Applicants are also subject to general eligibility requirements.
