Environmental Education and Non-profit Internship
This Estuarium internship program provides college students and recent graduates with environmental education and animal husbandry experience, as well as experience with working at a small non-profit organization. While the majority of the internship will be spent assisting the Education Coordinator by provide hands-on field trips to K-12 school groups, leading beach investigations, and delivering marine programs for the community; this position will require staffing the information desk, helping in facilities maintenance, and assisting with administrative projects.
Application Deadlines
- Spring Internship – Application deadline March 14th
- Summer internship – Application deadline May 21st
- Fall internship – Application deadline August 2nd
Communications & Community Development Internship
This Estuarium internship program provides college students and recent graduates with communications and community development experience, as well as experience with working at a small non-profit organization. This internship will assist in translating K-12 Education curriculum, Estuarium exhibits (both virtual and printed), and marketing materials. This position will help create opportunities to engage the Latinx community and enhance the Estuarium’s programs to meet community outreach needs.
Application Deadlines
- Spring Internship – Application deadline March 14th
- Summer internship – Application deadline May 21st
- Fall internship – Application deadline August 2nd
Community Engagement Internships
Unpaid*
Community Engagement Interns are responsible for connecting the community to the unique estuary environment and inspiring conservation through educational and engaging tours and programs. Applications can be submitted year round.
To Apply please email your cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references to the Program and Volunteer Director.
*This internship is unpaid with potential to receive college credit or paid through State Work Study.
ALL volunteers, contractors, and staff must complete a background check.
Marine Animal Husbandry Internships
Unpaid*
This is a hands-on opportunity to gain practical experience in marine animal husbandry, aquarium systems, water quality, exhibit maintenance, and public-facing conservation education. It’s essential that applicants to this position demonstrate enthusiasm, creativity, self-motivation, and be interested in supporting marine life within a facility. Intern may be assigned to other staff members as appropriate, but reports directly to the Estuarium Lead Aquarist. This 10-week internship is unpaid with potential to receive college credit or paid through State Work Study.
To Apply please email your resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references to the Lead Aquarist at malena@pugetsoundestuarium.org and CC estuarium@pugetsoundestuarium.org.
Applications are accepted until October 14th, 2026 or until the position is filled.
*This internship is unpaid with potential to receive college credit or paid through State Work Study.
ALL volunteers, contractors, and staff must complete a background check.
Advertising, Marketing, and Outreach Internships
Unpaid*
In this role, a student currently enrolled in college, will work with the Puget Sound Estuarium, a growing non-profit, to inspire conservation of our ecosystems in the Olympia community. Interns will assist the Design and Communications Manager with advertising, marketing, and outreach activities to expand reach and community connection. Opportunuties to assist with other departments may arise potentially based on need.
Undergraduate interns must be concurrently enrolled in a college course for the program, and all interns will report regularly to Estuarium staff.
Class credit Internship. Please reach out to discuss further how class credit could work.
To Apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and two references to kylie@pugetsoundestuarium.org and CC Hap@pugetsoundestuarium.org.
*This internship is unpaid with potential to receive college credit or paid through State Work Study.
ALL volunteers, contractors, and staff must complete a background check