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MACO Summer Intern Oregon Coast Aquarium

Oregon State University

MACO Summer Intern Oregon Coast Aquarium

Oregon State University

Appointment Type: Student Employee

Job Location: Corvallis

Position Appointment Percent: 100

Appointment Basis: 12

Pay Method: Hourly

Pay Period: 16th - 15th of the following month

Pay Date: Last working day of the month

Min Hourly Rate: $15.05 (Standard); $14.05 (Non-Urban); $16.30 (Portland Metro)

Max Hourly Rate: $21.50 (Standard); $19.50 (Non-Urban); $22.00 (Portland Metro)

Position Summary:

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) (a maximum of 40 hours per week) MACO Summer Intern at Oregon State University (OSU).

Mentored by the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) in Newport, Oregon, an undergraduate student will work with the Aquarium's Mission Engagement department to evaluate the many coastal and ocean-focused exhibits and galleries. The intern will build from a 2025 evaluation to investigate specific elements of the galleries and new messaging about them.

The intern will work closely with the Mission Engagement team to conduct guest evaluations, which may include interviews and tracking, then enter data and summarize findings. The student must be comfortable and confident in approaching guests to request participation in the activities and collect verbal data.

The intern will be supported through the Marine and Coastal Opportunities (MACO) internship program and mentored by the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Transferable Skill Development:

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below: Communication, Leadership, Technology, Career & Self-Development

Position Duties:

• 65% Aquarium Guest Engagement to evaluate exhibits and galleries. This includes data collection, management, analysis and writing a report. The incumbent will undergo training on data collection, data management, and messaging development and delivery. Serve as a positive representative of the Oregon Coast Aquarium while interacting with diverse audiences.

• 10-25% Conduct independent scholarly research: investigating social science frameworks and develop evaluations tools.

• 10-25% Contribute to marine science communication by conducting education programs and on-site interactions with the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study

• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment

• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard

• High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program

• Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term

• Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*

• Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term

• Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*

*International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered "full-time" by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the https://internationalservices.oregonstate.edu/ (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Must be an undergraduate student at Oregon State University.

• Available to reside at the Oregon Coast (Hatfield Marine Science Center) for the 10-week internship position, June 15, 2026 to August 21, 2026.

• Must be motivated, outgoing and communicative; enthusiastic and excited about evaluating exhibits in an aquarium setting.

• Strong oral and written communication skills and comfort with interacting with and presenting to the public.

• Open to new ideas and skills, and eager to share ideas and thoughts.

• Ability to approach guests and conduct data collection.

• Knowledge of and ability to use computers, tablets, and standard, commonly accepted computer programs is required.

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work as a team member and effectively interact with co-workers using a collaborative style.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize projects and pro-actively seek guidance from supervisors.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal History Check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 2 years.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications:

• Work and/or volunteer experience in social science data gathering and entry.

• Basic understanding of marine science communication particularly via signage.

• Basic understanding of evaluation data collection techniques.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule:

Working Conditions: This position is a flexible 40-hr/week work schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends. Schedule for conducting evaluations is dependent on the times the Aquarium is open to the public - between 10am and 6pm. Most work is during standard work hours. This is an in-person internship, and the nature of the work does not allow for remote or telework options. Shared housing is provided at OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center. Starting hourly rate of $15.05/hour.

Expected outcomes:

• The intern will learn data collection, management, and analysis protocols within marine science communication.

• The intern will become familiar with the Heartwired to Love the Ocean framework and its use as an interpretive tool.

• The intern will learn how to understand data on visitor awareness of and attitude towards marine science and ocean conservation.

• Intern will gain confidence in conducting visitor evaluation and understand the value and application of social science data.

Posting Number: P12830SE

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: 06/15/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date: 08/21/2026

Posting Date: 02/09/2026

Full Consideration Date: 03/13/2026

Closing Date: 03/13/2026

Recruitment Intent:

Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students

Special Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:• A Resume• A Cover Letter

• Two letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references

For additional information please contact: Kristen Milligan at kristen.milligan@oregonstate.edu

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal History Check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 2 years. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6915721

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