INTERNSHIP SUMMARY

Reef Renewal USA is excited to host a hands-on coral restoration internship designed to support our ongoing efforts in establishing and maintaining coral nurseries while advancing critical restoration techniques. This position is offered in partnership with the University of Miami through the Florida Re5 Hub, a collaborative coral restoration project focused on strengthening the resilience of Florida’s Coral Reef to the impacts of climate change. Interns will gain valuable experience in coral propagation, nursery maintenance, and restoration site management, contributing directly to the recovery and resilience of Florida’s coral reef ecosystems. This internship also provides an excellent opportunity for early-career scientists to build practical field skills, expand their technical knowledge of coral restoration methods, and develop a strong foundation for future work in marine conservation and research.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Nursery Setup and Coral Propagation: Assist in establishing and maintaining coral propagation hardware at multiple in-water coral nurseries, contributing to the propagation and restoration of multiple species of Caribbean coral.
• Maintenance and Data Collection: Engage in regular maintenance dives at coral nurseries to clean coral structures and equipment, as well as monitoring the health, growth, and survival of nursery grown corals.
• Database Management: Record, organize, and maintain nursery and restoration data, including coral inventory, growth metrics, genotype tracking, and outplant performance, ensuring accurate documentation and data accessibility for project partners.
• Coral Distribution and Collaboration: Support the collection, processing, and distribution of coral fragments in collaboration with Re5 partners (University of Miami, NSU, Mote, etc.), ensuring a successful exchange of genotypes and genetic diversity.
• Community and Partner Engagement: Participate in annual meetings with project partners and contribute to group discussions and strategy sessions in Miami. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This internship provides a unique opportunity to gain experience in coral nursery management, propagation techniques, data management, and collaborative conservation work. Interns will develop hands-on coral restoration skills and contribute directly to efforts aimed at restoring Florida’s Coral Reef ecosystem.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Open Water SCUBA Certification (through a recognized certification body–NAUI, PADI, SSI, etc.) o Certify that you have at least 50 dives
• Preferred candidates will have: o Training beyond Open Water Scuba o Active Oxygen Administration certification o Active CPR/First Aid certification o Photo and video skills
• To participate in diving, candidates will be required to provide: o RSTC document (attached) or dive physical. o Proof of diving certification o Proof of active dive insurance (DAN)
• Recent completion of a marine biology or related program. • You must own or have access to reliable dive gear (excluding tanks). This includes: o BCD, regulator, mask, fins, snorkel, dive computer, wetsuit, weights, and gloves
  o The internship host will provide all coral related working tools.
• You must have a working computer.
• Vehicular transportation is the responsibility of the intern.
• Coral work requires a high level of physical activity and/or physical exertion. Interns must be able to carry 65 pounds and able to lift 35 pounds overhead.
• A typical work week is 40 hours a week but may also include some weekends and holidays.
• Possess strong communication, interpersonal, and time management skills.
• Ability to take initiative and successfully complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to work well in a team environment, but also work well independently.
• 1 year experience with coral nursery maintenance and propagation.
• Experience with coral nursery set up and reporting procedures.