Looking for a career in environmental conservation? A Save The River Summer Internship offers invaluable experience in the mechanics of a successful non-profit. You’ll split your time between essential storefront operations and exciting field projects, giving you a 360-degree view of environmental advocacy. Whether you’re monitoring local wildlife or engaging with the community at public events, you’ll be supervised by experienced staff dedicated to your professional growth.

Save The River is the leading grassroots organization working to preserve and protect the St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education and research. Since 1978 it has campaigned to stop aquatic invasive species, restrict  winter navigation, promoted an adaptive water levels regulation plan, and supported expansion of Great Lakes restoration programming. Save The River organizes citizen science water quality monitoring programs that track River health at popular swimming destinations.  In addition, Save The River works closely with Riverkeeper volunteers to identify River impairments and develops curriculum for school districts through In the Schools/ On the Water/ Floating Classroom educational programming. Save The River is a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance and serves as the Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper.  

We are looking for two (2) Summer Interns to handle a diverse workload including managing the storefront, conducting community outreach, and implementing fieldwork projects including Beach Watch and Common Tern Monitoring programs. Interns will gain invaluable experience working at events that promote Save The River and grow our membership while learning about environmental not-for-profit management and advocacy work by being “behind the scenes” on Save The River’s programs.

Ideal candidates will have prior experience in retail, recreational experience on the water either boating, kayaking / canoeing, and / or fishing, reliable transportation, the ability to lift 40lbs and can plan, organize and think strategically and independently. A knowledge of the St. Lawrence River area is preferred but a commitment to Save The River’s mission and values is required. Compensation is provided for this internship; however, interns must secure their own housing.

• Approximately 10 weeks (June, July, and August) with some flexibility in start & end dates
• Approximate Start Day: May 20, 2026  24 hours/week. Must be able to work Memorial Day Weekend (Sat & Sun) and July 4th.
• This position is a minimum of three days a week 
• $16.00/hour

If you are interested in getting involved with preserving, protecting and restoring the St.  Lawrence River as a summer intern and have a passion for environmental conservation, education and advocacy, please send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least one professional and one personal reference to programs@savetheriver.org. Submissions missing any of these items will not be reviewed. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please write your name (Last, First) - Summer Internship as the subject line of your email. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2026. 

Organization Overview

Save The River, a member-based, nonprofit environmental organization, has been the “voice for the St. Lawrence River” in the U.S. and Canada since 1978. Save The River’s mission has always been to restore, preserve and protect the ecological integrity of the Upper St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education and research. In 2004, Save The River was designated the Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper and became a member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance with the goal of a swimmable, fishable, drinkable river.

As the leading grassroots advocacy organization working to protect the St. Lawrence River, Save The River takes an active role in River policy issues, engaging decision-makers, community leaders, residents, visitors and volunteers to make positive change. Every year we work with school districts in the watershed to educate 1,000+ students in a place-based curriculum that stresses age-appropriate aspects of stewardship. Significant progress has been made in protecting the St. Lawrence River’s water quality and habitat, and in expanding the number of people and communities involved in that effort during the 45 years of Save The River’s existence. However, much remains to be done and we are looking to expand our team to take on the task.

Position Summary

Save the River seeks positive, communicative individuals who enjoy working with a wide age range of children and an active and engaged staff. Applicants should have a background in elementary or middle school education, or environmental education, and a passion for nature, history, and science. Specialized knowledge of local ecology, climate, and New York history are desirable. 

The Education Coordinator develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates all aspects of Save The River’s current educational programs. In addition, they recommend and develop new programs to advance the mission of Save The River. The Education Coordinator works on volunteer involvement with education programs, communication about programs and events, and participates in fundraising, strategic planning, and setting program goals and budgets. The Education Coordinator works closely with the Education Committee and reports to the Executive Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Educational Programming
• Responsible for all aspects of Save The River’s ongoing In the Schools, On the Water, Floating Classroom and Riverkeeper educational programs, including:
• Developing and implementing long-term goals and strategies to achieve successful outcomes
• Planning the delivery of the programs
• Developing, with the Executive Director, annual budgets and funding proposals to ensure the sustainability of the education programs 
• Responsible for coordinating meeting agendas and minutes for the Education Committee meetings. 
• Works closely with the Education Committee on designing and implementing new education programs consistent with the mission and strategic goals of Save The River
• Develop educational collaborations with partnering organizations
• Volunteer Coordination
• Engaging and managing volunteers as appropriate in the delivery of education programs
• Outreach and Social Media
• Coordinate and develop social media and website promotion of education programs with the Outreach Coordinator

Other Responsibilities:

• Pursuing opportunities for additional funding of education programs as well as growing our membership base
• Performing media interviews and public speaking assignments as needed
• Assist with planning and coordinating major Save The River events
• Attend STR Board and committee meetings
• Assist in Storefront operations as needed
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental policy, or environmental education, or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Excellent oral, writing and listening communications skills, effective public speaker in varied settings
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, multi-task work environment
• Ability to manage a number of projects, partnerships and professional relationships
• Ability to plan, organize and think strategically and independently
• Driver License, Passport and ability to travel to Canada
• Comfortable in small watercraft. NYS boating safety certificate is preferred
• Knowledge of the St. Lawrence River, and environmental policy and restoration techniques preferred
• Proficient computer skills with a knowledge of Google Workplace, Microsoft 365 and Zoom
• Ability to lift 40lbs
• Passion for environmental advocacy and conservation and a commitment to Save The River’s mission

Work Environment

• Office environment with outdoor river-related activities during all seasons
• Engage and inform the public on various environmental issues
• Some weekend work especially during the summer
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the River region and occasionally beyond for meetings, training, and conferences
• Opportunity for professional growth
• $38,000 to $40,000 - Initial offers are firm within this range.  Salary commensurate with experience, plus generous benefits
• Save The River is an equal opportunity employer

To Apply

Applications should include a one-page cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, a resume, and contact information for two (2) professional references. Submissions missing any of these items will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. 

Please send to programs@savetheriver.org. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please write your name (Last, First) - Education Coordinator as the subject line of your e-mail. No phone calls please.

The application deadline is 5 pm EST, Friday, April 17, 2026.