Internships
Clean Ocean Action's internship positions are exciting opportunities for students to gain professional experience with a proven national, state, and local leader in ocean advocacy. Applications for Summer 2026 internships are now closed.
Communications & Marketing Intern
The Communications and Marketing Intern will gain hands-on experience in multimedia content creation, social media strategy, email marketing, analytics tracking, and nonprofit communications while supporting initiatives that advance Clean Ocean Action’s mission.
Education Intern
The Education Intern will gain hands-on experience in environmental education, program development, and event coordination while helping expand and enhance initiatives that address pollution in New Jersey’s coastal watersheds.
Marine Debris Intern
The Marine Debris Intern will gain hands-on experience in environmental program support, large-scale event coordination, and plastic pollution policy initiatives to help protect the ocean.
Ocean Policy & Advocacy Intern
The Ocean Policy & Advocacy Intern will gain hands-on experience in grassroots organizing, public policy, and environmental advocacy while supporting the relaunch of COA's Clean Ocean Zone campaign.
Water Quality Intern
The Water Quality Intern will gain hands-on experience in community science, water quality sampling and analysis, GIS mapping, and municipal stormwater policy research while supporting the Rally for the Waterways program to reduce pollution in New Jersey’s coastal watersheds.
TESTIMONIALS:
“I am so grateful that this internship program offered me a way to be involved full time in such a meaningful capacity. I have developed valuable skills in public speaking, research, and community outreach. I have always been deeply interested in the nonprofit space, and I have loved learning about how COA operates and has great successes.” – Fiona, Summer 2023
"I got the opportunity to learn so much about water quality work, advocacy, standards in the lab and workplace, and so much more valuable experience." - Stephen, Water Quality Intern, Summer 2023
"I had so many great experiences between being able to work in the field researching nurdles as well as participating in the corporate sweeps. I was able to meet so many great people. I was also able to help educate so many on some common environmental problems such as waste pollution." - Victoria, Marine Debris Intern, Summer 2023
I couldn’t have asked for a better first-time professional work experience. The workload was very engaging, and being given the opportunity to conduct my own research was a treat. Everyone was very welcoming, open-minded, patient and professional. As an environmental non-profit, everything was well coordinated, organized and efficiently done. I definitely recommend this internship for students in environmental science." - Noah, Marine Debris Intern 2022
"I really enjoyed working at COA this summer. I was kept busy with important, meaningul work and had a great time interacting with all of the staff. To any college student interested in environmental policy and conservatio, I strongly recommend this internship for you and hope you have a great time like I did." - Greyson, Policy & Advocacy Intern, Summer 2022
"I learned more working with Clean Ocean Action than I could have in any academic setting. This group of fierce, staunch environmental advocates taught me how to thoroughly research environmental threats, translate the research to effectively educate others, and lead advocacy efforts to achieve feats of all types. I am excited to take this knowledge forward with me as I complete my college education and begin my early career." - Jenna, Policy & Advocacy Intern, Sumer 2021
"I am grateful to Clean Ocean Action for giving me valuable work experience that I plan to utilize in my future career. Some of the most valuable skills I have learned are public speaking, presentation skills and the ability to manage my priorities. After gaining these skills I feel more comfortable in my functioning understanding of public policy." Claire, South Jersey Outreach & Policy Intern, Summer 2021
"I have nothing but great things to say about COA! I truly enjoyed working with COA this summer. I learned so much from all the staff and the work was very rewarding and valuable. The staff all are dedicated and passionate about helping the ocean, which was inspiring. The staff were all a pleasure to work with, and COA has a positive and supportive work environment." - Gianna, Communications & Events Intern, Summer 2021
