Coral Conservation and Reef Restoration Internship

Summer Internship: May 13th 2024 – August 25th 2024. Not a flexible start date.

Coral Restoration Foundation™ is the world’s largest non-profit marine-conservation organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs to a healthy state in Florida and globally.

Our core mission is to restore coral reefs, to educate others on the importance of our oceans, and to use science to further coral research and coral reef monitoring techniques.

Our Coral Conservation and Reef Restoration Internship introduces individuals to the nonprofit sector of marine conservation, focusing on the education and restoration of coral reef ecosystems.

• Internships last 4 months and are full-time volunteer positions.
• Both entirely land and combination water-land internships available.
• Interns gain a vast amount of experience through participation in our community engagement programs, daily operations, and fieldwork.
• During their first semester, each intern will be mentored while they undertake a personal intern project.
• Interns who wish to progress further have the chance to be considered for positions as Lead Interns during a second semester, and then Program Interns during a third semester.
• Interns will be provided with a small educational stipend to offset living costs.

Restrictions and Requirements

Applicant must be 21 years of age or older and able to work in the US by the start of the internship.

Applicant should be enrolled in an undergraduate program having completed at least two years of study at an accredited college or university, be in enrolled in a graduate program, or be a recent graduate from a college or university.

CPR, First Aid, and O2 administrator certified.

Additional requirements for diving applicants:

Applicants must be at minimum Advanced Open Water dive certified, preference will be given to Rescue and higher, those with boat diving experience, and those with ocean diving experience.

All dive gear (excluding tanks) must be provided by the intern. This means: BCD, regulator, mask, fins, snorkel, dive computer, wetsuit, weights, gloves, safety equipment.

Upon selection, candidates will be required to provide a dive physical, dive certifications, and log-books as well as certifications listed below.

​All selected candidates’ dive status is pending until the approval of their dive physical by our DSO and Dive Safety Board.

Requirements before start of dive internship:

• Minimum Advanced SCUBA certified. Preference will be given to Rescue certified or higher
• CPR and First Aid certification
• Oxygen Administration certification
• Dive Insurance
• All SCUBA equipment (mask/fins/snorkel, regulator, BCD, wetsuit, weights, gloves, safety equipment).
• Proof of regulator service within the past year
• Minimum 30 logged dives (15 from a boat, 5 in the ocean, 1 within the past year)

  Other requirements:

Housing and reliable vehicular transportation must be provided by the intern. Applicants should keep in mind the cost of rent in the Florida Keys can be between $800 and $1,200 monthly which can be less expensive if interns share living spaces.

Work requires high levels of physical exertion and/or physical strain. Must be able to carry 65 pounds and able to lift 35 pounds overhead. This position is expected to perform 3 shallow-water scuba dives for up to 5 consecutive days per week. Work environment involves frequent exposure to various elements (sun, heat, wind, rain, cold, etc). Typical work week is 5 days a week often including weekends and minor holidays. Additionally, a willingness to travel and work flexible hours is essential.