Job Information
- Location: Onslow County, North Carolina
- Close Date: 09/15/2026
- Hiring Organization: Coastal Carolina Riverwatch
- Contact Email: ChristinaB@coastalcarolinariverwatch.org
- Job Website
Description
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is seeking a part-time Upper New River Watershed Planning Intern to support implementation of the Upper New River Watershed Restoration Plan. The intern will build on the field-planning and SCITS/WIPS workflow developed through CCRW’s Lower New River project, using a more targeted desktop-first approach to prepare for field verification, partner coordination, project documentation, mapping, and StoryMap development.
Work will focus on the Upper New River watershed in Onslow County, including the Squires Run, Cowhorn Swamp, Upper New River/Richlands, and Half Moon focus areas. The position combines GIS and desktop review, targeted fieldwork, collaborative meeting support, stormwater and drainage documentation, community and partner engagement, and organization of information needed to advance credible restoration opportunities.
The internship will begin in October 2026 and continue through December 2026. The position is expected to average approximately 10-12 hours per week, with scheduling adjusted as needed for field days, partner availability, weather, and project deadlines. Paid time may not exceed 144 total hours.
Some planning, GIS, documentation, and StoryMap work may be completed remotely. In-person participation is required for assigned field verification, collaborative meetings, partner coordination, and community-based work in Onslow County. Because later project steps depend on field verification and partner coordination, the intern must be available to complete those in-person responsibilities within the project timeline.
Responsibilities
- Review existing Upper New River project materials, watershed maps, aerial imagery, parcel and land-use information, current candidate sites, and prior SCITS/WIPS documentation before field visits are scheduled.
- Use GIS to prepare and update maps that support field routes, drainage and receiving-water review, site screening, project tracking, partner discussions, and StoryMap development.
- Assist with targeted field verification of stormwater, drainage, flooding, erosion, sediment, riparian, and related watershed conditions. Record site observations, GPS locations, photographs, access considerations, drainage connections, and other information needed for project planning.
- Maintain and quality-check the Upper New River field workbook, SCITS/WIPS tracking files, project status information, field photographs, and supporting documentation.
- Assist CCRW staff in preparing SCITS documentation for verified source or conveyance observations and in organizing information for potential WIPS project concepts. The intern will document and organize evidence but will not independently determine final restoration projects, pollution sources, engineering solutions, or project feasibility.
- Help prepare for and support collaborative meetings with agency staff, local governments, Soil and Water Conservation District staff, schools, community organizations, HOAs, property owners, and other project partners. Tasks may include preparing maps and agendas, facilitating portions of discussions, taking notes, tracking decisions, and completing follow-up items.
- Support professional outreach needed to confirm site access, ownership, partner interest, local knowledge, maintenance responsibilities, or other information required before a candidate project advances.
- Assist with Upper New River StoryMap development by creating or updating maps, organizing photographs, preparing captions and concise site descriptions, and helping translate field and partner information into clear public-facing content.
- Keep project files organized throughout the internship and prepare a final handoff that clearly identifies completed work, priority opportunities, unresolved questions, partner follow-up needs, and recommended next steps.
Qualifications
- Current undergraduate or graduate student, recent graduate, or early-career professional in environmental science, geography, planning, coastal management, public administration, natural resources, water resources, or a related field.
- Experience supporting or facilitating collaborative meetings, stakeholder discussions, community engagement, or public meetings, including preparation, note-taking, action-item tracking, and follow-up.
- Working understanding of stormwater issues, drainage systems, runoff, flooding, erosion, sediment, stormwater control measures or BMPs, riparian buffers, and connections between land use and receiving waters.
- Experience with GIS map creation and spatial data review.
- Experience with ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, or comparable tools is preferred.
- Experience developing or supporting ArcGIS StoryMaps, including maps, photographs, captions, and explanatory content, is strongly preferred.
- Strong written communication, organization, data management, and file management skills.
- Ability to work professionally with local government staff, agency partners, community organizations, landowners, and technical partners.
- Ability to distinguish field observations from conclusions and to clearly document what is known, what remains uncertain, and what requires staff or technical review.
- Ability to complete required in-person fieldwork in Onslow County and work safely around roads, drainage systems, streams, parks, public facilities, and other field locations.
Salary/Benefits
$18 per hour, up to 144 paid hours
Application Instructions
To apply, please send a resume and brief statement of interest to ChristinaB@coastalcarolinariverwatch.org by September 15th. Please include Upper New River Watershed Planning Intern in the subject line.
