Field Services Student Intern (9043)

Opportunities; Bartow (FL); On-site; USD 17,908 - 22,041; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

On-site training opportunities

Job summary

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is offering an internship in Bartow, FL, aimed at supporting the regulatory functions essential for environmental resource management. This role involves assisting with compliance inspections, drafting reports, and participating in meetings relating to regulatory matters.

Interns will gain hands-on experience and training in skills such as time management and customer service. Compensation varies based on the intern's educational level, at $13.00 for high school interns and $16.00 for college interns.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduates, 3.0 for graduates.
• Be currently enrolled in an educational program.

Responsibilities

• Draft letters and reports requesting submittal of permit conditions.
• Compile and review data from established files and databases.
• Compare construction activity with plans, note deviations.

Skills

GIS experience

Education

High school or current enrollment in accredited college

Job description

170 Century Boulevard
Bartow, FL 33830, USA

Description

Work for Our Water Resources

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Regulatory Support Bureau

Support the District’s Regulatory Support Bureau and gain hands‑on experience supporting essential regulatory, permitting, and compliance functions. In this role, you will assist with drafting professional correspondence, compiling and analyzing data from established resources, and comparing construction activities against approved plans to identify and summarize any deviations. You’ll also participate in meetings on regulatory matters, help route citizen inquiries, support environmental compliance inspections, and contribute to research that advances permitting and compliance efforts. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to develop practical skills, deepen your understanding of environmental resource programs, and collaborate with staff to achieve meaningful team goals. This internship is not eligible for remote work.

Benefits

• Training and Development: The District helps staff develop additional skill sets such as emotional intelligence, time management, customer service, conflict resolution, and communications. Interns are eligible to attend on‑site training.
• Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential assistance and support in areas important to well‑being, including work/life balance, stress management, family issues, financial advice, legal and workplace problems, addictions, student loan assistance, and other personal issues.
• Wellness Program: "Your Health Matters" includes classes on health and fitness topics, campus walking routes, a fitness challenge, tobacco‑cessation resources, an ergonomics program, discount programs, incentives, and other resources. Participation is voluntary.

Compensation

High School Intern: $13.00 hourly. College Intern: $16.00 hourly.

Essential Functions

• Draft letters and reports requesting submittal of permit conditions requirements; compliance correspondence and internal memorandum.
• Compile and review data from established files, databases, maps and publications.
• Compare construction activity to construction plans and permit conditions, note deviations, prepare a summary report and recommendations.
• Attend meetings and participate in discussions related to regulatory matters and corrective actions needed to resolve noncompliance issues.
• Respond to, or route, citizen questions to applicable staff related to permitting and compliance matters.
• Assist with compliance inspections for the Environmental Resource Permitting, Water Use Protection & Well Construction Programs.
• Research and compile permitting and compliance files, assisting staff with the research and coordination of assignments necessary to achieve team goals.

Working Conditions

Work is divided between the field and office. Fieldwork is frequently conducted under adverse weather conditions, and may involve remote, undeveloped, and/or isolated sites. Work may be conducted on or around open water, wetlands or marshes. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work environments vary by assigned business unit.

Required Credentials

• Be at least part‑time and currently enrolled in high school, an accredited college, university, or other recognized educational or vocational program.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Credentials

• Experience with GIS.
• Have at least one year remaining in their respective program.
• Have availability to work near the maximum allowable hours weekly.
• Preferred Degrees: Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or other related Physical Science degree.
• Preferred Degree Level: Undergraduate.

This position is scheduled to work no more than 25 hours per week between Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, out of the Bartow, FL office. The District’s Student Internship Program is year‑round. Work schedules can be adjusted depending on the student’s class schedule.

Travel Required

Yes. Infrequent travel, using a District vehicle, within District’s coverage area.

Application Deadline

Accepting applications until July 14, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

Equal Employment Opportunity / Veterans Preference / Drug-Free Workplace / Tobacco Free Campus

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. Follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA if needed.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.