Internships

The application period for the Summer 2025 Internship has closed.

Summer Community Engagement Internship 2025

A part-time opportunity

Internship Description

Friends of Casco Bay is seeking a passionate and dedicated intern to support our community engagement efforts in Summer 2025. This internship is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in environmental advocacy, outreach, and data collection while helping to foster inclusivity and diverse community participation.

We recognize that interns bring unique strengths, and we aim to shape this internship around their interests and skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Support our Water Reporter program by planning events, organizing data, and contributing creative ideas. Depending on the intern’s interests, this may include:
- Working with ArcGIS to map Water Reporter data
- Creating instructional video materials
- Exploring Casco Bay to capture observational data
Assist in our environmental justice initiatives by conducting research and sharing ideas, which may include:
- Working with environmental justice mapping tools
- Storytelling through various art media
Contribute to communications and outreach through storytelling, designing, organizing, or writing.
Help organize and support community events.
Work alongside our Community Organizer and staff to engage volunteers and supporters.

About Friends of Casco Bay

Friends of Casco Bay works to improve and protect the health of Casco Bay, an Estuary of National Significance located in the Gulf of Maine. We collect scientific and observational data about the health of our waters. Based on analysis of the data and community input, we advocate for policies and actions that will reduce pollution and make Casco Bay and its watershed more resilient to the impacts of climate change. We are home to the Casco BAYKEEPER®, our lead advocate who acts as the eyes, ears, and voice of Casco Bay. We are one of the seven founding members of WATERKEEPER® Alliance, a network that includes more than 300 independent organizations working to protect waters around the world. You can read more about us and our work on our website.

We are known as an exceptional place to work. We have ten year-round employees and one seasonal staffer. We balance our ability to leverage collaborative efforts, funds, and volunteers, with the capacity and capabilities of staff—a talented team each dedicated to our mission.

Friends of Casco Bay is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a culture and practices that integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender identity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status. Candidates from historically marginalized communities who are on the front lines of harm caused by environmental injustice are encouraged to apply and bring their lived and technical expertise.

Qualifications we’re looking for:

Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented
Strong interpersonal skills—comfortable representing Friends of Casco Bay to the public
Experience with spreadsheets (preferred)
Interest in environmental justice and passion for clean water and Casco Bay
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Leadership experience
Familiarity with Airtable and/or ArcGIS (preferred)
Preference given to rising undergraduate juniors and seniors

Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years of age
Must be vaccinated against Covid-19

This internship is a great opportunity for those interested in environmental justice, community engagement, and hands-on experience in nonprofit work.

Compensation

$18 hour, part-time, up to 20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks (Interns are ineligible for benefits)

Schedule

Our internships start in May and end in August with start and end dates set by agreement. Although our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, some event and weekend work may arise; for example, the Intern participates in a public event we schedule for an evening or a weekend.

Location

Hybrid of in-person and remote experiences. Participating and leading in-person community events is required. Our office is on West Commercial Street in Portland.

Application instructions – Priority will be given to applications submitted by Sunday, March 23

Fill out the form below
Documents required to apply
- Cover letter expressing your interest in the internship and why you are a good fit
- Resume
- Phone and email for two references

Friends of Casco Bay Internship Application

Please review this application thoroughly and compile all of your materials before starting it. If you have questions, please contact Sara Freshley at sfreshley@cascobay.org.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

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Address*

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Email*

Phone*

Major*

College/University/Graduate School*

How did you hear about the Friends of Casco Bay Internship Program?*

References

1st Reference*

First Last

1st Reference Title*

1st Reference Organization*

1st Reference Phone*

1st Reference Email*

2nd Reference*

First Last

2nd Reference Title*

2nd Reference Organization*

2nd Reference Phone*

2nd Reference Email*

Upload Application Materials

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Cover letter

Cover letter expressing your interest in the internship and why you are a good fit Resume

Max. file size: 80 MB.

Resume

Max. file size: 80 MB.

Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Form This Release and Waiver of Liability (the “release”) executed on the date this form is completed by the volunteer (“Volunteer”) who completes this form releases Friends of Casco Bay, a nonprofit corporation existing under the laws of the State of Maine, and each of their directors, officers, employees, and agents. The Volunteer desires to provide volunteer services for Friends of Casco Bay and engage in activities relating to serving as a volunteer to protect the environmental health of Casco Bay. Volunteer understands that the scope of Volunteer’s relationship with Friends of Casco Bay is limited to a volunteer position and that no compensation is expected in return for services provided by Volunteer; that Friends of Casco Bay will not provide any benefits traditionally associated with employment to Volunteer; and that Volunteer is responsible for his/her own insurance coverage in the event of personal injury or illness as a result of Volunteer’s service to Friends of Casco Bay.

Waiver and Release: I, the Volunteer, release and forever discharge and hold harmless Friends of Casco Bay and their successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the services I provide to Friends of Casco Bay. I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges Friends of Casco Bay from any liability or claim that I may have against Friends of Casco Bay with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from the services I provide to Friends of Casco Bay and occurring while I am providing volunteer services.
Insurance: Further I understand that Friends of Casco Bay do not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability benefits or insurance of any nature in the event of my injury, illness, death or damage to my property. I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of Friends of Casco Bay beyond what may be offered freely by Friends of Casco Bay in the event of such injury or medical expenses incurred by me.
Medical Treatment: I hereby Release and forever discharge Friends of Casco Bay from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during my tenure as a volunteer with Friends of Casco Bay.
Assumption of Risk: I understand that the services I provide to Friends of Casco Bay may include inherently dangerous activities that may be hazardous to me including, but not limited to water sampling and/or attending events that are near or on the ocean, slippery docks, rocks, piers, wharves, and boats. As a volunteer, I hereby expressly assume the risk of injury or harm from these activities and release Friends of Casco Bay from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from the services I provide as a volunteer and occurring while I am providing volunteer services.
Photographic Release: I grant and convey to Friends of Casco Bay all rights, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or my likeness or voice made by Friends of Casco Bay in connection with my providing volunteer services to Friends of Casco Bay.
Email Signup: We would like to contact you from time to time to tell you about important updates about the health of Casco Bay, special events, and how you can support our mission. Please opt in to receiving these updates by sharing your email address below. You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe links at the bottom of each email.
Other: As a volunteer, I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Maine and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release is deemed invalid, the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Release shall not be affected.

By completing this form and checking the box below, I express my understanding and intent to enter into this Release and Waiver of Liability willingly and voluntarily.

Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability*

I am over the age of 18 and by checking this box, I express my understanding and intent to enter into this Release and Waiver of Liability willingly and voluntarily.

I am under the age of 18 and my parent/guardian will sign a release and waiver.

CAPTCHA

Friends of Casco Bay is a science-based, community-oriented, environmental nonprofit organization that has worked for over 30 years to improve and protect the environmental health of Casco Bay. Our work involves water quality monitoring and analysis, advocacy through our Baykeeping program, and community engagement.

Each internship opportunity will vary based on the needs of the organization during the internship time frame. We do not offer internships every semester. Instead we evaluate our needs before each semester and determine if we will be able to offer a well-rounded internship opportunity.

Typically, internships focus on community engagement and/or science. Occasionally, internships may include policy work and legislative experience

If you have questions about our internship program, please email volunteer [at] cascobay [dot] org.

We offer internships to enrolled college students interested in pursuing marine science, advocacy, and nonprofit careers.

Internships

Summer Community Engagement Internship 2025

A part-time opportunity

Internship Description

Friends of Casco Bay Internship Application

References

Upload Application Materials

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