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 Ohio Sea Grant Fellow will support a coordinated set of projects centered on coastal resilience and Great Lakes environmental literacy, defined by Ohio Sea Grant as the capacity of Great Lakes communities and ecosystems to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from coastal hazards while maintaining environmental quality and economic vitality.

The Sea Grant Fellow will work directly with Specialists in the Ohio Sea Grant program, gaining well-rounded, systems-based experience while contributing tangible outcomes to county priorities. The Fellow will work under the primary supervision of Dr. Scott Hardy, with structured collaboration across additional personnel with expertise in addressing watershed management, pollution prevention, and public education. More information on Ohio Sea Grant programs can be found at ohioseagrant.osu.edu

Schedule 

May 26, 2026 - August 15, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Primary tasks for the Ohio Sea Grant Fellow include but are not limited to:

- Assisting with data collection, synthesis, and visualization related to watershed conditions relevant to Lake Erie and its tributaries

- Helping develop public-facing materials such as fact sheets, presentations, and brief reports

- Participating in stakeholder meetings and related events to support science-informed public engagement

- Assisting with site visits, assessments, and the production of outreach materials to promote best management practices and pollution prevention at coastal marinas

Marginal Duties 

• Participate in NOAA Climate Ready Workforce learning and certification opportunities;

• Attend Fresh Water Institute convenings;

• Support OSU Sea Grant Specialists in activities that enhance the connections between science and communities; 

• Meet with other participants in the program as applicable.

Required Qualifications 

• Must be a currently enrolled college student 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 

• Academic coursework in one or more of: environmental science, education, engineering, technology, biology, public policy, or sustainability; 

• Independent research and writing experience; 

• Ability to work select evenings and Saturdays throughout the program; 

• Connection to and deep interest in the Great Lakes region

• Strong interest or experience in communicating directly with the public

Hours 

40 per week

Some weekends and evenings required

Living Accommodations 

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

Compensation  

• $850/week living allowance 

• $1000/month housing allowance (3 disbursements)

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Training and Certification Course Available

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training;
• 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.