Oyster Aquaculture Intern
Key Allegro Oyster Co. (Private)
Details
Application Deadline:
06/30/2025
Published:
05/15/2025
Starting Date:
between 5/19/2025 and 6/30/2025
Hours per Week:
30 - 40
Salary:
starting at $2,700 per month
Education Required:
none
Experience Required:
none
Location:
910 N Fulton Beach Rd (Rockport, Texas)
Tags:
Graduate Opportunities
Undergraduate Opportunities
Description
Oyster Aquaculture Intern
Location: Rockport, TX
Company: Key Allegro Oyster Co.
Compensation: $8,100 total for 12-week internship ($1,350 paid biweekly)
Duration: 12 weeks | ~40 hours/week
Housing: Not provided
Are you interested in working in one of Texas’s newest and fastest-growing coastal industries? The Key Allegro Oyster Company (KAOC), located in Rockport, TX, is the state’s largest commercial oyster farm—and we’re seeking two motivated interns to join our team for 2025.
This paid internship is part of the Harte Research Institute’s Oyster Resource and Recovery Center (ORRC) Career Training Program and provides a hands-on opportunity to work on an active commercial oyster farm. Interns will work directly with our team in a variety of farm operations and gain real-world aquaculture experience. Following completion of the 12-week internship, high-performing interns may be offered a full-time role with our company.
What You’ll Learn
Interns will work as part of the KAOC farm crew and receive mentorship from experienced aquaculture professionals. The internship will involve hands-on training in:
- General oyster farming operations
- Gear types and systems, with a focus on 6-bag floating cages
- Biofouling management
- General vessel safety, including how to safely work an oyster farm from a vessel
- Harvesting, tumbling, and grading
- Farm maintenance and gear construction
- Daily monitoring of oyster health and growth
- Working in varied weather and marine conditions
- Insight into sales, processing, and nursery operations
Expectations & Requirements
- Enrolled in and completed the free, online ORRC Career Training Program in Oyster Farming prior to starting the internship (https://www.txoystertraining.org/en/oyster-farming)
- Willingness to perform physically demanding work in all weather conditions
- Able to lift 100 lbs
- Able to swim and comfortable being in the water
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
- Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team
- Available to work 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday, with occasional weekend work
- Must pass a background check
- Physically capable of performing essential functions in a nursery or farm with or without reasonable accommodation, and without imposing a threat to the health & safety of yourself and/or others.
- Participate in "mock interview" with ORRC personnel to demonstrate competency in applying to industry after the internship
Compensation
- Intern Stipend: $8,100 total ($1,350 biweekly)
- Performance-Based Opportunity: Interns who complete the program successfully may be considered for a full-time position as an Oyster Technician I at $16/hour.
Who Should Apply?
- Those who want to earn a paycheck while learning and gaining hands on work experience
- Individuals interested in pursuing a career in oyster aquaculture
How to Apply
Send your resume and a brief message expressing your interest to Jordan Lynch at jordan@keyallegrooysterco.com.
Contact
Jordan Lynch
jordan@keyallegrooysterco.com (preferred contact method)