Macroalgae Monitor Special Assignment Assistant - Roger Williams University - Military veterans preferred

Roger Williams University

Location: Providence, RI Category: Professional and Clerical Posted On: Mon Jun 30 2025 Job Description:

The Seaweed Monitoring Intern will be responsible for testing and documenting the drift macroalgae monitoring protocols developed by the Seaweed Ecology and Assessment Research Collaborative (SEAC-RI). These protocols are part of a larger monitoring plan addressing the following topics: (1) tracking changes in abundance and location of macroalgae; (2) understanding the diversity of macroalgae; (3) understanding how water temperature and extreme weather events are impacting macroalgae; and (4) understanding the impact of macroalgae diversity and abundance on important fish/shellfish. This plan is divided into three sections - drift macroalgae, attached macroalgae, and biofouling macroalgae - to address the monitoring and management needs regarding the different life histories of macroalgae. The drift macroalgae monitoring protocols are intended to supplement the ongoing juvenile fish seine and fish trawl surveys conducted by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Marine Fisheries (RIDEM-DMF).

The Seaweed Ecology and Assessment Collaborative (SEAC-RI) was established to understand the biodiversity of macroalgae, the role it plays in the ecosystem, and how it impacts seagrasses, oyster beds, and other habitats throughout the Narragansett Bay region. SEAC-RI's mission is to provide cross-state collaboration and coordination, advise state and federal management, and research macroalgae in Narragansett Bay, the Coastal Salt Ponds, and Little Narragansett Bay.

As a collaborative, SEAC-RI began with a meeting in April 2024 of select attendees of the Northeast Algal Society and local researchers and managers to discuss seaweed monitoring, management and research. The key takeaway from that meeting was the need for a coordinated effort to expand monitoring practices throughout the region focused on efficiency and data sharing. Attendees shared a desire to understand where monitoring occurring, why it's occurring there, and what data are being collected.

Essential Functions / Characteristics

NBEP is looking for an undergraduate or graduate student for this internship. The candidate should be inquisitive, work well with a team and independently. The goals and learning objectives of this internship are:

Test efficacy and feasibility of the drift macroalgae monitoring protocols to be completed during the juvenile fish seine and fish trawl surveys
Provide photo documentation of the monitoring protocol steps to be incorporated into the Standard Operating Procedure
Network with and partner with multiple organizations to ensure protocols are being followed and learn best practices
Provide RIDEM-DMF and NBEP with suggestions for improving the protocols and locations where monitoring should focus.

Additional Functions

No additional functions are necessary for this internship. However, the intern is welcome to join NBEP at meetings and in discussions that may relate to the intern's work.

The Intern must be comfortable working on boats and in the water, and must be willing to support RIDEM staff and their contractors with the juvenile fish seine and fish trawl surveys. The Intern must have access to a reliable vehicle and have a valid driver's license. The Intern is expected to work closely with RIDEM-DMF and their contractors, which may include 8+ hour days in all types of weather and flexibility to reschedule monitoring days based on severe weather. The intern will be a temporary employee of Roger Williams University (as the host of the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program) and report to JA Macfarlan, RIDEM-DMF Principal Marine Fisheries Biologist, and Courtney Schmidt, NBEP Staff Scientist, as the project leads.

Preferred Qualifications

NBEP prefers an intern who has experience conducting field work, specifically monitoring, documenting methods, and a desire to take ownership of the project.

At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and com-mitted to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit here.

RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures. All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: (401) 254-3123 /Email Address: jstanley@rwu.edu

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