Join the CVW Team

CVW Marine Debris Prevention Intern

Deadline: April 20, 2026

Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Wage: $15.00/hour

Duration and Schedule: This is a part-time position 15-20 hours per week from the Virginia Beach office. This is a summer position for a duration of 10 weeks (start date to be determined by school schedule)

Supervisor: Christina Trapani

About Clean Virginia Waterways: Clean Virginia Waterways’ (CVW) mission is to enhance the health of Virginia’s water resources through pollution prevention, education, and stewardship activities involving Virginians from the classroom to the boardroom. CVW is dedicated to advancing proven policies to reduce plastic pollution and marine debris, committed to citizen stewardship of Virginia’s rivers, streams, bays, beaches and groundwater, affiliated with the Ocean Conservancy, the co-founder of the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network, the co-author of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan, the organizer of the International Coastal Cleanup in Virginia since 1995, and a nationally-recognized leader in litter prevention educational programming, litter research and marine debris solution development.

Description: This internship position will offer the opportunity for a student to assist with all aspects of Clean Virginia Waterways’ litter prevention efforts, including outreach and education, data collection, forming partnerships, volunteer management, raising funds, social media, research and more. Specifically, interns will be responsible for planning monthly litter cleanups in Hampton Roads (Finding locations in need of service, Volunteer and partner recruitment, Marketing the cleanups, Collecting and entering data); Implementing the Keep It Beachy Clean Litter Prevention Program (Distributing program materials and forming partnerships with hospitality groups, parks, and city staff throughout Hampton Roads and Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Securing sponsorships for the Keep it Beachy Clean Program, Managing social media accounts and website updates, Creating new materials as needed for outreach and engagement); Conducting research for the Marine Debris Strategy Director; Grant writing and assistance with event organizing.

Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, have completed at least one year of study prior to the start of the internship and must be enrolled as a student throughout the duration of the project. Recent graduates (graduating May 2026 or earlier) are not eligible for this opportunity. Students seeking a degree in a related field are preferable.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have some experience in and/or knowledge of plastic pollution prevention, including participation in litter cleanups, data collection and outreach. 

• Must be willing to work from the Virginia Beach office at least 2-3 days a week.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Strong communication skills and comfort speaking with business owners, managers, and the public.

• Proficiency in Google Drive, Canva, Instagram, and Facebook.

• Comfortable leading volunteer groups for beach cleanups.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.

Deliverable: The intern will present a final report and 20 minute oral presentation to staff during the last week of the internship.

Location: Hybrid in or around Virginia Beach, VA, some time will be spent in CVW’s Virginia Beach office

Application Submission:  To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to Christina Trapani, Christina@CleanVirginiaWaterways.org w/subject line: CVW Marine Debris Prevention Intern: Your Name. Be sure to highlight any relevant experience and explain why you would be a great fit for this opportunity (why should we pick you)?

Application deadline: April 20, 2026.

Clean Virginia Waterways NOVA Outreach Intern

Deadline: April 20, 2026

Location: Northern Virginia

Wage: $15.00/hour

Duration and Schedule: This is a part-time position 15-20 hours per week based in Northern Virginia. This is a summer position for a duration of 10 weeks (start date to be determined by school schedule)

Supervisor: Joseph Barnes

About Clean Virginia Waterways: Clean Virginia Waterways’ (CVW) mission is to enhance the health of Virginia’s waterways through collaborative leadership, plastic pollution and marine debris prevention, and advocacy for a sustainable future. CVW is dedicated to advancing proven policies to reduce plastic pollution and marine debris, committed to citizen stewardship of Virginia’s rivers, streams, bays, beaches and groundwater, affiliated with the Ocean Conservancy, the co-founder of the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network, the co-author of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan, the organizer of the International Coastal Cleanup in Virginia since 1995, and a nationally-recognized leader in litter prevention educational programming, litter research and marine debris solution development.

Description: This internship position will involve outreach and education programming in Northern Virginia. Duties will include…
Identify, register and table at public events in NOVA including farmers markets, festivals and concerts and educate the public about sources, impacts and solutions of plastic pollution.
Assist the CVW Marine Debris Prevention Specialist on the EPS foam phase-out including educating restaurant owners/managers and distributing sample kits. Help develop Keep It Beachy Clean litter prevention educational materials for Northern Virginia and assist with distributing them to area restaurants, libraries and other venues. 
Work with groups in Northern Virginia to organize International Coastal Cleanups for the fall.

Eligibility: Student must be a junior or senior enrolled in an undergraduate program. Recent graduates (graduating May 2026 or earlier) are not eligible for this opportunity. Students seeking a degree in a related field are preferable.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have some experience in and/or knowledge of plastic pollution prevention, including participation in litter cleanups, data collection and outreach. 

• Must have a flexible schedule and be willing to work weekdays and weekends as needed. 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team. Experience working with volunteers is a plus.

• Strong communication skills and comfort speaking with business owners, managers, and the public.

• Proficiency in Google Drive, Canva, Instagram, and Facebook.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation. This internship will require the ability to transport outreach materials and display items to events, mileage is reimbursable. 

Location: Remote in or around Northern Virginia

Deliverable: The intern will present a final report and 20 minute oral presentation to staff during the last week of the internship.

Application Submission:  To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to Joseph Barnes, Joseph@CleanVirginiaWaterways.org w/subject line: CVW NOVA Outreach Intern: Your Name. Be sure to highlight any relevant experience and explain why you would be a great fit for this opportunity (why should we pick you)?

Application deadline: April 20, 2026.