Science Fellowship (3 Openings) - Estuary Science, Coastal Restoration, and Freshwater Mussel Restoration

Do you like the outdoors, getting dirty, and supporting clean water initiatives? The Partnership
for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), a regional environmental non-profit organization based in
Wilmington, Delaware, is seeking to fill three 8-month science fellowship positions. These are
full-time, non-exempt positions. The fellows will assist with ongoing research, monitoring and
field projects, sample processing and laboratory tasks, GIS-related activities, and data
management and reporting tasks. Expected job functions are as follows:

All Fellows will:
• Participate in all science and restoration initiatives, as needed
• Contribute to other field, laboratory, or desktop tasks as funding allows
• Assist with field equipment maintenance
• Assist with tracking deliverables and key project metrics
• Assist with data capture, entry, and quality assurance/checks
• Help prepare various project materials for website and social media platforms as
needed

One fellow will be hired to fill a position for each of the following focus areas:
Estuary Science
• Participate in science initiatives including, but not limited to tidal wetland
monitoring and assessment, oyster shell recycling, and ecoacoustic assessments,
as well as estuary condition status and trend reporting
• Assist with restoration project installation and monitoring related to living
shorelines
• Assist in hosting and supporting oyster shell recycling program outreach events
when opportunities allow

Coastal Restoration
• Participate in science and restoration initiatives including, but not limited to,
shellfish recruitment studies, water quality (i.e., total suspended solids)
assessments, tidal wetland monitoring and assessment, and oyster shell
recycling
• Assist in hosting and supporting oyster shell recycling program outreach events
when opportunities allow
• Assist with restoration project installation and monitoring related to living
Shorelines

Freshwater Mussel Restoration
• Participate in science and restoration initiatives including, but not limited to
water quality (i.e., total suspended solids) assessments, freshwater mussels stock
maintenance, and freshwater mussel monitoring
• Assist with restoration project installation and monitoring related to living
shorelines

Candidates must possess an Associate’s (or higher) degree from a college or university in
environmental science or related field OR be in at least their third year of a comparable
Bachelor’s degree program OR have at least 1 year of work experience in a related field. Fellows
need to have experience working outdoors for extended periods of time (>5hrs), and familiarity
with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel). Familiarity with scientific research is also important,
as well as the ability to work cooperatively and be flexible. A valid driver’s license and United
States citizenship, or a valid visa to work in the US, are required. Good organizational skills,
multi-tasking, and attention to detail are important, as well as proficient written and oral
communication skills. Candidates must be capable of lifting 40 pounds, as well as sit and/or
stand for at least 4 hours at a time.

Time spent in this position will be split between office (PDE office or remote home office) and
outdoor settings. There will also be tasks completed in a storage/warehouse facility or in field
locations (outdoor, rural settings). Work hours may shift depending on the tides or project
assignments. Employees must have the ability to transport themselves to any field or other work
locations within a 2-hour radius of Wilmington, DE.

Fellowship positions are paid $25 an hour and are temporary (to December 31, 2026, with
potential for renewal if/as funding allows), full-time (35 hrs per week), and non-exempt.
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc. is an equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons
are encouraged to apply regardless of religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual
orientation, disability or any category that becomes protected by federal labor law. Candidates
must be able to work legally in the United States.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and one-page cover letter by close of
business March 18, 2026 via this Google form. The cover letter should include: 1) why the
applicant is interested in working at PDE; 2) how the applicant’s experience makes them a good
candidate; 3) the applicant’s preferred fellowship area (e.g., Estuary Science, Coastal
Restoration, or Freshwater Mussel Restoration) and 4) a description of the applicant’s long-term
goals. The applicant’s description of what makes them a good candidate and how PDE can help
the applicant achieve long-term career goals are particularly important to address in the cover
letter (vs reiterating material in resume). The full posting for these positions can be found here.

Any questions can be directed via email to Leah Morgan at Lmorgan@delawareestuary.org.

Google form full hyperlink for application materials submissions can be found here.

Engagement Intern

BACKGROUND 

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the health of the Delaware Estuary, which supplies clean drinking water for millions of people and provides valuable resources for businesses, governments, and communities, including those that are overburdened or economically distressed. PDE pursues clean waters, healthy habitats, and strong communities by: 

• Leading science-based efforts to prevent pollution, protect wetlands, and restore mussels and oysters; 

• Partnering with government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, and the public to restore the vital waters that nourish our communities; and 

• Fostering care and support for the health of the entire estuary through festivals, workshops, river cleanups, and other special events. 

 GENERAL DESCRIPTION 

The Engagement Intern supports the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s Engagement Team by assisting with ongoing water-related education and outreach projects.  

JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Assist with event planning logistics, including large scale public festivals and community volunteer events 

• Develop activities and programming for public facing events related to water topics 

• Create public facing marketing materials, including social media posts, flyers, and digital graphics  

• Assist with delivering educational programming to youth and adults 

• Serve as an ambassador for PDE at public events 

• Perform other activities as assigned 

 REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE? 

• Possess a degree from a college or university in environmental science, environmental studies, communications, marketing or related field, OR be in at least their third year of a comparable Bachelor’s degree program, OR have at least 2 years of work experience in a related field. 

• Demonstrated experience and interest in natural resources and water resource management. 

• Demonstrated organizational skills, multi-tasking ability, and attention to detail. 

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.  

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams. 

• Demonstrated ability of problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. 

• Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and video meeting platforms. 

• Must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license and consistent access to reliable transportation. 

 

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

• Experience in social media and website management. 

• Experience organizing meetings, events, or conferences. 

• Proficiency with digital design tools such as Canva.  

• Familiarity with stormwater management, source water protection, nonpoint source pollution, and related topics. 

 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Time spent in this position will be split among an office setting, remote work, and in the community. Off-site working locations are generally concentrated between Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE, but may extend 1-2 hours from these locations. Work hours may occasionally shift depending on task needs; there will be a need to work on weekday evenings or on weekends, approximately 2-3 instances per month.  

 

OFFICE LOCATION 

110 S. Poplar St., Wilmington, DE 19801 

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all the physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 

 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports to: Engagement Director 

 SALARY AND COMPENSATION 

This position is paid $24 an hour and is a temporary part-time (up to 20 hours per week) from April-May and full-time (up to 35 hours per week) from June-August, non-exempt position.  

TO APPLY 

Closing Date: Until Filled 

Send a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to fblom@delawareestuary.org or to ATTN: Francesca Blom, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, 110 South Poplar Street, Suite 202, Wilmington, DE 19801 via USPS. 

 

The cover letter should include: 1) where the applicant encountered the advertisement; 2) why the applicant is interested in working in this position at PDE; 3) how the applicant’s experience makes them a good candidate; and 4) a description of the applicant’s long-term goals. The applicant’s description of what makes them a good candidate and how PDE can help the applicant achieve long-term goals are particularly important to address in the cover letter, rather than reiterating material in resume, as this will help PDE fairly assess a diverse applicant pool. 

 

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any category that becomes protected by federal labor law. Candidates must be able to work legally in the United States.?