2025 Block Island Maritime Institute (BIMI) Internship

Full-time Seasonal Conservation Outreach and Marine Educator Intern 

Position Announcement

Approximately April 15, 2025 – October 30, 2025

As the Conservation Outreach Intern you will be splitting time between outreach duties at the Block Island North Light focused on Block Island seals and marine educator duties at BIMI Exploration Center. The Outreach Intern will be fully under the direction of the Operations Manager and work closely with the Mystic Aquarium team to aid in weekly observations from the North Light. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Conservation Outreach

• Public engagement at North Light Beach that focuses on education about the local seal population, including ongoing conservation efforts for Grey and Harbor seals in New England. Informing visitors about safety considerations for both seals and humans when visiting the beach and the federal protections in place for marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
• Providing a welcoming environment for visitors, both adults and children.
• Closely working with the Mystic Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Team on public inquiries, daily observations, and additional outreach information.  
• Conducting Seal Population Surveys.
• Participate in Seal Responses and Field Studies. 

Marine Educator 

• Providing a welcoming environment for visitors, both adults and children. 
• Engaging with visitors at our aquarium exhibits, providing education about the species on display. Further educating visitors about BIMI, Block Island, its local flora and fauna, sustainable marine systems, and various other marine science and maritime activities.
• Actively encouraging guests to visit the aquariums and participate in programs, providing ongoing education as to opportunities that are available.
• Participating in the creation of social media content on at least a weekly basis for the duration of the internship. 
• Assist and provide oversight to volunteers. 
• Documenting daily activities, observations, and research.
• Under direction of the Operations Manager, providing maintenance of the aquarium tanks and Institute facilities. 
• Distributing posters, brochures, and other program information electronically and at locations around the Island. 
• Participating in other island activities and coordinating with staff from other environmental education and community support programs on the island.
• Assisting with visiting school groups and clubs as needed.
• Sales of merchandise and programs. Encouraging donations.
• Other duties as assigned.
•  

Specific Qualifications

• Working knowledge of marine science, wildlife conservation, ecology, or closely related fields, preferably with a Bachelor of Science degree.
• Experience working with children in an educational or recreational setting is preferred.
• HIGHLY motivated and self-driven – must be able to work independently.
• Effective communication skills – must have the ability to clearly communicate with supervisors, coworkers, and visitors of all ages.
• Ability to interact appropriately with children, adults, and peers.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team structure. BIMI staff live and work on the same premises requiring that interns be able to communicate effectively with the BIMI team, seeking out support from co-workers and/or the Director and Operations Manager when needed.
• Must be able to provide evidence of a criminal background check completed by the local police.
• Must be able to complete First Aid and CPR training prior to employment. (BIMI will reimburse this expense as needed).
• Bilingual preferred.

Compensation 

• $17.00 per hour
• The internship will average 35 to 40 hours per week at regular pay from about April 15th to October 30th. 
• Unscheduled overtime (over 40 hours) may be needed.

Other

• Outreach Intern is part of a team supervised by the Operations Manager, Educational Lead, and Director.
• Shared housing is included. A stipend for housing us available if housing is not needed.
• If the intern takes employment outside of BIMI, they will  be required to pay half their share of the housing cost.
• A rent credit may be available for full-time employees if housing is not needed.
• Transportation, such as bringing your own bicycle, is recommended.

 How to Apply

• Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. To be considered in the first round of interviews, full application packet must be submitted via e-mail to bimi02807@gmail.com by January 20, 2025. We will accept applications after the due date, but applications submitted before or on the 20th will be given precedent for interviews. For more information, email or call Valerie Blansfield, Director or Erin Mullen, Operations Manager at 401-500-3501.

Packet must include:

• Current Resume including any specialized certifications and/or skills including full name, mail address, e-mail address, and phone number where you can be reached.
• College Transcripts.
• Cover Letter (in 500 words or less) detailing your career goals, what you hope to gain from an internship; and what sets you apart from other candidates.
• Two (2) Reference Letters from a non-family member sent to bimi02807@gmail.com .

2025 Block Island Maritime Institute (BIMI) Internship

Full-time Seasonal Fishing Academy Supervisor 

Position Announcement

Approximately June 9th, 2025 – August 31st, 2025

The Fishing Academy was established back in 2010 with a mission of connecting kids to the island. In 2022, the Fishing Academy became a program of BIMI whose mission is cultivating curiosity and appreciation of the marine environment through education, exploration, and conservation. 

The Fishing Academy Supervisor conducts the administration and oversight of the Fishing academy program. Approximately 25% of the role will be spent in direct support of the BIMI Center and Aquarium, working closely with the Operations Manager. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees the Fishing Academy program; responsible for additional Fishing Academy staff and volunteers assigned to the daily program. 
• Under direction of the Operations Manager, providing daily maintenance of fishing rods, supply wagon, and all related fishing equipment. 
• Engaging with visitors, providing education about local marine species. Further educating visitors about BIMI, Block Island, its local flora and fauna, sustainable marine systems, and various other marine science and maritime activities.
• Maintains and tracks the Fishing Academy Attendees for each program day.
• Responsible for checking weather patterns and making appropriate cancellation calls due to hazardous weather conditions
• Keeps families and attendees informed on cancellations due to weather and reschedules/refunds attendees if necessary
• Actively encouraging guests to visit the aquariums and participate in programs, providing ongoing education as to opportunities that are available.
• Participating in the creation of social media content related to the Fishing Academy program on at least a weekly basis for the duration of the internship. 
• Documenting daily activities, observations, and research. 
• Distributing posters, brochures, and other program information electronically and at locations around the Island. 
• Participating in other island activities and coordinating with staff from other environmental education and community support programs on the island.
• Assisting with private Fishing Academy sessions for visiting school groups and clubs as needed.
• Sales of merchandise and programs. Encouraging donations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Qualifications

• Experience in salt and freshwater fishing techniques is preferred. 
• Working knowledge of marine science, ecology, or marine environmental education, preferably with a Bachelor of Science degree. 
• Supervisory experience is preferred. 
• Experience working with children in an educational or recreational setting is preferred.
• HIGHLY motivated and self-driven – must be an independent thinker and accomplish tasks independently.
• Effective communication skills – must have the ability to clearly communicate with supervisors, coworkers, and visitors of all ages.
• Ability to interact appropriately with children, adults, and peers.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team structure. BIMI staff live and work on the same premises requiring that interns be able to communicate effectively with the BIMI team, seeking out support from co-workers and/or the Director and Operation Manager when needed.
• Familiarity with various social media formats and ability to post on BIMI’s behalf preferred.
• Must be able to provide evidence of a criminal background check completed by the local police.
• Must be able to complete First Aid and CPR training prior to employment. (BIMI will reimburse this expense as needed).
• Lifeguard experience preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Compensation 

• $20 per hour with housing included
• If housing is NOT needed; Substantial Housing Stipend is available 
• The Fishing Academy Supervisor will average 35 to 40 hours per week at regular pay from about June 9th to approx. August 31st.  
• Unscheduled overtime (over 40 hours) may be needed.

Other

• Fishing Academy Supervisor is part of a team supervised by the Operations Manager and Director.

How to Apply

• Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. To be considered in the first round of interviews, full application packet must be submitted via e-mail to bimi02807@gmail.com by January 20, 2025. We will accept applications after the due date, but applications submitted before or on the 20th will be given precedent for interviews. For more information, email or call Valerie Blansfield, Director or Erin Mullen, Operations Manager at 401-500-3501.

Packet must include:

• Current Resume including any specialized certifications and/or skills including full name, mail address, e-mail address, and phone number where you can be reached.
• College Transcripts.
• Cover Letter (in 500 words or less) detailing your career goals, what you hope to gain from an internship; and what sets you apart from other candidates.
• Two (2) Reference Letters from a non-family member sent to bimi02807@gmail.com.