The Department of Environmental Protection welcomes interns throughout the year. The positions listed do not offer salary, but the benefit of hands-on experience with this dynamic state agency will be invaluable to anyone pursuing a career in stewardship of the environment. Opportunities exist in a variety of departments and schedules are variable based on the needs of the program. Interns will be provided with a support structure that will include being paired with a "Mentor" that will provide leadership and guidance.  Not all positions are offered every semester.

• Summer Internships require a minimum commitment of 16 hours per week.
• Summer and Fall Internships require a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week.
• Full day commitments are equal to 8 hours.

Potential Positions

Watershed Restoration Intern: This position functions as a member of the Restoration Planning and Implementation Team and assists with on-going environmental restoration projects. The ideal candidate will be willing and able to handle strenuous activity and enjoy the out of doors. Skill building will include hands-on data collection techniques, landscape design, land planning, and habitat restoration, project budgeting, funding acquisition, and inter-agency project coordination. In addition, the position involves working with the following equipment or scientific techniques: GPS, GIS, self-leveling equipment, laser leveling, aerial photography, aerial interpretation or photographs, CAD design, Hydrologic evaluation techniques, and more. IMPORTANT NOTE: Requires at least 1 full day commitment!

Environmental Assessment Intern: This position functions as a member of the Ambient Water Quality Assessment Team and assists with on-going environmental assessment projects. The ideal candidate will be willing and able to work with a laboratory microscope and enjoy the out of doors. Skill building will include exposure to surface water chemical and biological sampling techniques and aquatic macroinvertebrate taxonomy. In addition, the position involves working with the following equipment or scientific techniques: Hydrolab multiparameter water quality multiprobe, and dissecting and compound microscopes. IMPORTANT NOTE: Requires at least 1 full day commitment!

Water Quality Intern: This position assists with the fieldwork and GIS work involved in watershed projects in the Southwest District. The position involves participate in activities associated with water quantity measurements (flows), water quality sampling, and verifying land use as well as the use of ArcView. This position will involve light to moderate fieldwork as well as computer work. IMPORTANT NOTE: Requires at least a 5-6 hour commitment on a day!

Environmental Resources Intern: This position will assist with SLERP Compliance and Permitting database management and process analysis. All information flow within the section is being analyzed for effectiveness, including application receipt, application log in, file creation, database record creation, database update, handling correspondence related to files, file status entries into database. These processes will be reviewed and evaluated for changes leading to improved efficiency. Prior to review of these processes, this position will become familiar with applicable rules, permitting procedures, and compliance procedures, in the office and field.  IMPORTANT NOTE: Requires at least 1 full day commitment!

Technical Services/Point Source Biology Intern: This position functions as a member of the Technical Services/ Point Source Biology team and assists with on-going point-source (industrial/domestic water discharge) monitoring projects. The ideal candidate will be willing and able to work with a laboratory microscope and enjoy the out of doors. Skill building will include exposure to: surface water chemical and biological sampling techniques and aquatic macroinvertebrate taxonomy. In addition, the position involves working with the following equipment or scientific techniques: Hydrolab multi-parameter water quality multiprobe, and dissecting and compound microscopes.

Watershed Management Intern: This position Assists with the organization, research and fieldwork involved in watershed projects and team permitting projects in the Southwest District. The position involves assisting with grant and project management efforts, coordinating with various agencies, and assisting with restoration efforts in the field when needed. IMPORTANT NOTE: Requires at least 1 full day commitment!

Phosphate Management Intern: This intern will participate in activities associated with the job functions of an Environmental Specialist and/or Engineer in the Phosphate Management program. The Phosphate Management Program administers the applicable rules and statutes pertaining to the regulation of wastewater treatment, storage, and disposal systems at phosphate facilities throughout the State.  IMPORTANT NOTE: Requires at least one full day commitment!