Sea Grant’s Community Engaged Internship program aims to broaden participation in marine and coastal professions by providing training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision makers, and citizens. The program will do so by recruiting, retaining and engaging students in place-based research, extension, education, and/or communication that respects and integrates local ways of knowing.

Application packets are due by April 6, 2026.
This opportunity is contingent upon funding.

 

 

CEI PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS:

The IISG Sea Grant intern will be part of a national cohort of students. Each intern is expected to participate in all aspects of the CEI program: 

• On-the-ground learning experience, including completion of a project that extends the knowledge of community stakeholders to address a coastal, marine, or Great Lakes issue of environmental, economic and/or social importance.
• Mentoring by Sea Grant and other professionals, Sea Grant-funded researchers, and Knauss Fellows.
• Graduation Ceremony to celebrate accomplishment, and network with peers and other professionals.
• Participation in pre/post evaluation.
• Work 37.5 hours for 10 weeks.
• Submit a summary of your work and project at the end of employment.
• Attend a potential gathering of the intern cohort (encouraged, not required).
• Attend weekly coffee breaks with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (encouraged, not required).
• Attend career panel hosted by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (encouraged, not required).
• If working remotely, job duties will be performed during regular working hours unless otherwise arranged with the supervisor.

Description:The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG), in cooperation with the National Park Service’s (NPS) Great Lakes Research and Education Center, in Porter, Indiana, is offering a Community Engaged Internship (CEI) opportunity to support conservation efforts through science communication for NPS.

The CEI will collaborate directly with staff at the Great Lakes Research and Education Center to develop educational outreach programs and materials related to science in Great Lakes Network Parks. A key focus of this internship will be on community science programs at Indiana Dunes National Park. The intern will assist in developing a strategy to engage visitors in community science using the iNaturalist platform. They will evaluate past and current projects to help craft a new community science strategy. Additionally, they will design and pilot innovative ideas for monitoring bees, birds, monarchs, and flowers. They will also help create marketing tools to promote these new initiatives.

This experience is in-person and requires the intern to be at the National Park for 3-5 days a week. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that applicants have reliable transportation and live within reasonable commuting distance to the national park.

Eligible students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree at a 2- or 4-year college or university at the time of application. The intern will be paid $18.00 per hour, working a minimum of 32 hours per week and up to 40 hours for 10 weeks, starting no later than June 1, 2026, and ending no earlier than August 7, 2026. CEI intern will be hired through Purdue University for the purpose of this internship.

Specific tasks and responsibilities include: 

• Undertaking basic research and information gathering to develop programs.
• Developing outreach materials (e.g. pop-ups, print, digital) and social media content focused on communicating science, engaging visitors in science, and promoting resource stewardship.
• Assessing visitor reaction and response to educational/outreach materials, approaches, and experiences.

Qualifications: 

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability and interest to communicate and engage with visitors of all ages and backgrounds
• Experience using iNaturalist is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge or strong interest in natural resources, resource management, Indiana Dunes, the Great Lakes, environmental science, environmental education, science communication
• Experience and interest in science communication, including social media (Facebook, Instagram, media Reels)
• Desire to work outside/comfortable working in the outdoors in all weather conditions, including activities in the water like swimming and kayaking
• Bilingual in Spanish and English is helpful. The main language of materials will be English; however, being able to produce materials and/or communicate with visitors in Spanish would be welcomed.
• Reliable personal transportation is required.to get to, and move about, the park. Indiana Dunes has many individual beaches and units. The intern must be able to use their own transportation to move around the park as needed.

Location: In-person and on-site at the Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana, 3-5 days per week. Remote work may be permitted one-day per week and must be coordinated and scheduled with supervising staff. Some weekend work will be required to participate in citizen science and outreach activities.

Salary: All interns in the IISG program will be paid $18.00 per hour and minimum of 32 hours per week and up to 40 hours for 10 weeks, starting no later than June 1, 2026, and end no earlier than August 7, 2026. All interns will temporarily employed through Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Mission Statement

The National Park Service is dedicated to conserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Service is also responsible for managing a great variety of national and international programs designed to help extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Applicants should submit the application materials indicated in each position, using the link below. All questions should be directed to Angela Archer, amcbride@purdue.edu. 

Application: 

• Cover Letter (2 pages max): Please tell us about yourself, what attracted you to this position, and how this internship will help your career goals. In addition, answer the following prompt.
  • How would you inspire park visitors to participate in community science in a way that enriches their personal experience while also helping the park gather valuable ecological data that staff alone cannot collect?
• Curriculum vitae or resume detailing education and work experiences (2 pages maximum).
• Unofficial transcript(s) from universities and/or colleges.
• One letter of recommendation; which can be sent directly to amcbride@purdue.edu on your behalf or included in your application (1 page max). Letters from employees from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, National Park Service or Urban Rivers will not be accepted. 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION