Well Testing Program Internship

Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is a non-profit conservation organization with a South Branch office located in Flemington, New Jersey. Established in 1974, RHA’s Well Testing Program has been reliably testing private wells and collecting groundwater quality data throughout the North and South Branch Raritan River watershed region. Since testing is not mandatory for private well owners, this public health service enables residents to conveniently and affordably screen for harmful contaminants of local concern. The Community Well Testing Program currently partners with 22 municipalities to offer residents the opportunity to test their water during RHA events.

Applicants are encouraged to visit our website at www.TestMyWell.org to learn more about the program.

About the Position: RHA is seeking candidates for the Well Testing Program Intern position for the spring of 2025. This internship offers an opportunity to gain valuable experience working with our organization, learning about the importance of drinking water testing and groundwater quality monitoring while engaging with and educating the community.

Interns will work closely with RHA’s Well Testing Program Manager to prepare for and participate in testing events. Responsibilities include assembling testing kits and materials, educating residents on relevant topics, and assisting with community outreach tasks and events.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants should have a strong interest in water quality, environmental health and/or policy, or a related field. Applicants must be comfortable working with volunteers and community members. Preferred candidates should have transportation to various locations throughout the watershed.

Hours: 8–10 hours/week
Start Date: Early April          End Date: Mid June

Location: Events are primarily held on Saturday mornings at various public locations throughout the watershed. Additional flexible hours are required during the week at the RHA South Branch office in Flemington, NJ.

Compensation: $17/hour plus mileage reimbursement

How to Apply: Send an email with “Well Testing Program Internship – Application – [Last Name]” in the subject line to Samantha LaRocca, Well Testing Program Manager, at slarocca@raritanheadwaters.org. Include a resume outlining relevant experience, skills, and interests; cover letters are encouraged.

Applications will be accepted through March 7th or until the position is filled.

Lake Research Technician (Part-Time)

Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is a non-profit conservation organization based in Bedminster, New Jersey, dedicated to protecting water resources in the Raritan River watershed. Since 1959, RHA has been collecting high-quality data and advancing conservation efforts through science-based management. RHA produces annual reports on surface water quality, informing watershed planning and helping address sources of pollution. Learn more at www.raritanheadwaters.org.

About the Position: RHA is seeking a part-time Lake Research Technician to work on research of Budd Lake in Mt. Olive, NJ, for development of a baseline characterization of the lake and its watershed. This position will provide valuable hands-on experience in watershed monitoring and lake research. The technician will assist with data collection, analysis, and community science efforts while supporting staff in project coordination and administration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Compile historic data and assist in developing a report on lake water quality and ecological conditions.
• Support development of a Quality Assurance Project Plan.
• Lead and coordinate research activities, including:
  • Biweekly (and, at times, monthly) lake and stream water quality monitoring, stream flow monitoring, and water sampling
  • Quarterly hydric soil sampling
  • Summer macroinvertebrate collection and riparian habitat assessments.
  • Lake bathymetric study.
• Coordinate sampling efforts with contracted laboratories.
• Coordinate volunteer community scientist activities for lake and stream research, including training program volunteers.
• Manage and analyze data from research and assist with report preparation.

Qualifications:

Required

• Working toward or finished degree in environmental science (or related field), or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with data analysis tools (Excel, R, ArcGIS), or willingness to learn.
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of conditions, including kayaking/canoeing.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and preferably a car (mileage is reimbursed).

Preferred

• Experience coordinating volunteers or community science efforts.
• Interest in limnology and watershed science.

Hours: Approximately 20 hours/week

Term: March through November (flexible start date), with possible extension contingent upon performance and funding.

Location: RHA headquarters in Bedminster, NJ, and research sites in the watershed.

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience.

How to Apply: Send an email with “Lake Research Technician – Application – [Last Name]” in the subject line to Benjamin Harris, Watershed Scientist, at bharris@raritanheadwaters.org. Include a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, skills, and interest in the position, a resume, and contact information for two professional and/or academic references.

Applications will be accepted through March 7th or until the position is filled.

Summer Research Internship (Part-Time)

Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is a non-profit conservation organization based in Bedminster, New Jersey, dedicated to protecting water resources in the Raritan River watershed. Since 1959, RHA has been collecting high-quality data and advancing conservation efforts through science-based management. RHA produces annual reports on surface water quality, informing watershed planning and helping address sources of pollution. Learn more at www.raritanheadwaters.org.

About the Position: RHA is seeking a Research Intern for the summer of 2025 who will provide hands-on experience in both watershed monitoring and lake research. The intern will assist with data collection, analysis, and community science efforts while supporting staff in stream and lake monitoring programs. The role will provide valuable experience in water quality testing, field research, data management, and project coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

Stream Monitoring Program

• Assist with chemical, biological, and habitat assessments of stream sites in the Raritan River watershed.
• Coordinate volunteer participation, organize site assignments, and ensure quality data collection.
• Support data management and analysis using tools like Excel, R, and ArcGIS.
• Help prepare reports summarizing monitoring results.

Limnological Research

• Support biweekly monitoring, including water and hydric soil quality testing, macroinvertebrate collection, and habitat assessments.
• Coordinate volunteer community scientist activities for lake research.
• Input data from research and assist with report preparation.

Qualifications:

Required

• Working toward or completed degree in environmental science (or related field) or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience or willingness to learn how to use data analysis tools (Excel, R, ArcGIS).
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of conditions, including kayaking/canoeing.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and preferably a car (mileage reimbursed).

Preferred

• Prior experience with water quality testing or environmental research.
• Experience coordinating volunteers or community science efforts.
• Interest in hydrology, lake management, and watershed science.

Hours: Approximately 15–20 hours/week for 10 weeks

Term: May through August (flexible start date)

Location: RHA headquarters in Bedminster, NJ, and research sites in the watershed.

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience.

How to Apply: Send an email with “Research Internship – Application – [Last Name]” in the subject line to Benjamin Harris, Watershed Scientist, at bharris@raritanheadwaters.org. Include a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, skills, and interest in the position, a resume, and contact information for two professional and/or academic references.

Applications will be accepted through April 1st or until the position is filled.

Environmental Educator (Part-Time) – 2025 School Year Programs

About the Position: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA), a nonprofit environmental conservation organization based in Bedminster, New Jersey (near Gladstone), is seeking confident, enthusiastic, and motivated candidates to join our Education team beginning in March 2025. RHA Environmental Educators teach traveling ecology programs for students in elementary and middle school throughout Somerset, Hunterdon, and Morris County.

This position has a part-time, flexible schedule. Programs are mainly held in the spring and fall during regular school hours, with some programs occurring during the summer (option to participate in monthly family programs, summer camp, etc.).

Responsibilities: Teach environmental education programs to school groups both in the classroom and in outdoor settings at stream field sites. Programs are scheduled for you.

• Implement provided environmental lesson plans.
• Create new lesson plans and programs.
• Attend orientation and training sessions.
• Assist with cleanup and organize equipment after each use.
• Pick up, drop off, and/or transfer equipment as required.
• Be reasonably available as a substitute in case another educator calls in sick.

Qualifications: The following qualifications are preferred; however, any combination of these will be taken into consideration.

• Experience working with children in an educational setting and outdoors.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, life sciences, or other related majors.
• Strong knowledge of natural resources.
• Good organizational skills and time management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interest and enthusiasm for the natural environment and desire to share it with others.
• Strong spirit of cooperation and teamwork.
• Must have own reliable transportation.

Hours: A flexible, varying schedule of 3–20 hours/week

Term: March 1, 2025 (flexible start date) until the end of the school year spring term; option to continue into summer and fall.

Compensation: $21/hour

How to Apply (EMAIL ONLY): Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and two references to Lauren Theis, Director of Education, at LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

For more information, please email LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852 x314.

Environmental Educator (Part-Time) – Summer 2025

About the Position: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA), a non-profit conservation organization located at Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Bedminster, New Jersey (near Gladstone), is seeking enthusiastic and creative Environmental Educators for the summer of 2025. Educators will be responsible for implementing week-long sessions of RHA’s summer Nature Day Camp programs for children ages 3–16 under the direction of the Education Director. Lesson prep and orientation will take place in May–June. The camp is scheduled for the weeks of June 23 through August 15. Preference will be given to candidates who can participate in multiple week-long sessions of camp. RHA’s Education team works together to create all lesson plans, and RHA provides all materials.

We encourage candidates to visit our website at www.raritanheadwaters.org to learn about our work, and www.raritanheadwaters.org/naturedaycamp to see more details about our camps (including this summer’s schedule).

Responsibilities: Teach outdoor environmental education programs to school groups and at our Nature Day Camp.

• Implement provided environmental lesson plans in the classroom and in outdoor settings. Programs include field trips, stream exploration programs, and summer camps.
• Option to collaborate on new lesson plans and programs.
• Attend orientation and training sessions.
• Assist with cleanup and organize educational supplies after each use.
• Pick up, drop off, and/or transfer educational supplies as required.
• Be reasonably available as a substitute in case another educator calls in sick.

Qualifications: The following qualifications are preferred; however, any combination of these will be taken into consideration.

• Experience working with children in an educational setting and outdoors.
• Completed or working toward a bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, life sciences, or other related majors.
• Strong knowledge of natural resources.
• Good organizational skills and time management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interest and enthusiasm for the natural environment and desire to share it with others.
• Strong spirit of cooperation and teamwork.
• Must have own reliable transportation.

Hours: A part-time, flexible schedule of 20 hours/week Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Weeklong sessions available to choose from between June 23 and August 15.

Location: Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster, NJ (near Gladstone).

Compensation: $21/hour

How to Apply (EMAIL ONLY): Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and two references to Lauren Theis, Director of Education, at LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

For more information, please email LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852 x314.