Position Summary

The Water Economy Workforce Fellowship Program is a partnership between Cuyahoga County, the Student Conservation Association, and the NOAA Climate Ready Workforce Internship program. The Marine Energy Research & Outreach Fellow will gain hands-on experience in marine energy and water management at Baldwin Wallace University, working directly with community stakeholders and partner organizations including the Cleveland Water Alliance and the Port of Cleveland. The fellow will contribute to up to three interconnected projects: user-centered design of marine energy devices, a mobile wave tank outreach initiative, and implementation of a continuous environmental sensing system. Project activities will include stakeholder interviews, hands-on engineering and fabrication, data collection and analysis, and the development of educational demonstrations and outreach materials. The primary goal of this position is to engage directly with local needs and partners to define the role marine energy could play in a comprehensive regional energy and environmental strategy for Lake Erie.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Fellows will work directly with their host site at Baldwin Wallace University on projects related to marine energy and water management in the Lake Erie coastal area. Fellowship work will vary by project, and may include but is not limited to: data collection and/or analysis; field work including hands-on sampling and/or measurement; computer or lab-based analysis; community engagement and/or education; policy analysis or review; supporting stakeholder engagement event planning and execution; environmental monitoring, mapping, and modeling; design, fabrication, and instrumentation of marine energy sensing systems; and development and deployment of educational outreach materials and demonstrations.

Marginal Duties

Participate in NOAA Climate Ready Workforce learning and certification opportunities; Attend Fresh Water Institute convenings; Meet with other participants in the program as applicable.

Schedule 

May 25, 2026 - August 15, 2026

Regular schedule will be Monday - Friday

Hours: 40 hours per week

Some weekend and evening work required

Required Qualifications

• Must be a recent high school graduate, currently enrolled college student, and/or recent college graduate
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US
• Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards

Preferred Qualifications

Rising junior or senior, or a recent graduate with relevant coursework in engineering or environmental science; Background in engineering design processes and relevant coursework in engineering (2+ years preferred); Familiarity with data analysis tools such as MATLAB and/or Python; Interest in or experience with user-centered design and stakeholder engagement; Hands-on experience with building, fabrication, or working with hand tools; Experience coordinating or supporting community events or outreach activities; Strong communication skills, particularly in the context of working with community partners and diverse audiences.

Age

Adults 18 or older

Compensation

$850/week living allowance

$1000/month housing allowance (3 disbursements)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Living Accommodations

No housing provided on site. A monthly housing stipend is provided.

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits

Fellow may have the opportunity to attend a national marine energy conference if funding allows.

Additional Training and Certifications Available

• Cohort-based networking and learning opportunities;
• Intercultural Competency certification;
• Water quality monitoring training;
• Stormwater infrastructure and maintenance training;
• OSU Stone Lab workshops: https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/education/stonelab/courses/workshops
• OSU Stone Lab courses: https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/education/stonelab/courses/cxfg1/water-quality-management

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.