Aquaculture Internship - Huntington, NY

About the role#

Cornell Cooperative Extension offers a paid summer internship program in partnership with the Town of Huntington. This role provides students with hands-on experience in shellfish aquaculture, including grow-out procedures, monitoring growth and survival rates, and assessing environmental parameters such as water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll. Interns will work 30-35 hours per week at Gold Star Battalion Beach in Huntington, NY.

What you'll do#

• Work directly with the Cornell Shellfish Biologist.
• Assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the FLUPSY.
• Collect scientific monitoring data for shellfish and water assessments.
• Maintain and clean touch tanks and aquarium display tanks.
• Provide general information about the program to the public.
• Perform physical tasks, including lifting up to 40 lbs and handling heavy gear.
• Work outdoors under potentially adverse field conditions.

What you'll need#

• Must be a Town of Huntington resident currently enrolled in high school or college.
• Background knowledge in natural science, plant science, or marine science.
• Ability to follow instructions carefully and work effectively with others or independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interact professionally with the public.
• Preferred: Enrollment in a science or marine science concentration, experience with scientific sampling, and a valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle.

Location & details#

• Location: Gold Star Battalion Beach, Huntington, NY.
• Term: Summer 2026. Two sessions available: July 1–July 31, 2026, and August 3–August 28, 2026.
• Status: Full-time, paid position at $17.00 per hour.
• Requirements: Mandatory orientation required prior to the start date.