Project description: The goals of this project are to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species (AIS) using a suite of marketing and research tools. Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla) is a threat to the economic and environmental integrity of the Connecticut River valley. In the last few years, thick mats of the invasive aquatic plant have inhibited access for boaters, anglers, and other recreationists on the Connecticut River. Marinas and municipalities have reported that they can no longer access boat slips and docks due to the severity of the hydrilla infestations, limiting business opportunity. Learn more about hydrilla and how what CRC is doing on our website: http://ctriver.org/hydrilla
Position overview: The marketing intern will work with the River Steward in Connecticut to draft and implement an outreach plan drawing on the principles of Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM), a marketing strategy that targets environmental behavioral changes through a five-step process: selecting behaviors, identifying barriers & benefits, developing strategies, conducting a pilot, and broad-scale implementation. Because fragmentation is a primary means of hydrilla propagation, the desired outcome of this project is to reduce fragmentation and eliminate the transport of hydrilla from the Connecticut River to other waterbodies in the Northeast via boats and trailers. Accordingly, the relevant audiences for this work include boaters, both power boaters and paddle boaters, as well as marinas. The desired behavior changes will lead to boaters checking and cleaning their boats and trailers for hydrilla as well as marinas installing educational information about hydrilla.
The marketing intern will be responsible for conducting field observations, facilitating interviews and carrying out online research. Specific tasks may include:
- Conducting research online and through interviews to identify barriers and benefits to “clean, drain, dry” for boaters.
- Conducting field observations to observe behaviors at boat launches in Connecticut
- Developing and support design of outreach materials, including graphics, posters, banners, key chains or other materials
- Identifying and compiling media outlets, social media groups, physical locations for disseminating outreach materials
- Disseminate and post outreach materials (online and in physical locations), participate in tabling events or markets
- Help to coordinate and communicate with volunteers
Preferred experience and qualifications: Strong communication skills, time management and an interest in environmental issues will be a great asset to this project. Previous experience or an interest in marketing as well as comfort with cold calling and conducting interviews is a plus. This work involves the ability to travel in Connecticut within the watershed.
This position pays a stipend of $2,000 for a total of 130 hours (about 6.5 hours per week) and begins in January and continues through May. Interested applicants should email a resume and brief statement describing their interest in the position (the statement should be no more than 300 words) to Kelsey Wentling (she/her) at kwentling@ctriver.org. Application review will begin January 3, 2022.
About CRC: Connecticut River Conservancy is the voice for the Connecticut River watershed, from source to sea. We collaborate with partners across four states to protect and advocate for your rivers and educate and engage communities. We bring people together to prevent pollution, improve habitat, and promote enjoyment of your river and its tributary streams. Healthy rivers support healthy economies.