Intern - Fisheries (Spring/Summer)

Sdsoybean; Fort Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks is offering spring fisheries internship positions in Fort Pierre, SD. Selected interns will work January through October, supporting biologists and leading crews in field tasks such as spawning operations, fish tagging, and population surveys.

Applicants must be enrolled as students, capable of lifting 60 pounds, and prepared for variable weather, with some overnight travel possible. Start and end dates are February 1 to October 30, 2027.

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a part-time/full-time student at a college, university, or technical institute during employment.
• Must be able to lift 60 pounds repeatedly and perform strenuous physical labor.
• Flexible to work nights and weekends; some overnight travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead crews of fisheries interns in field tasks and data collection.
• Assist with Walleye spawning operations on the Missouri River.
• Trap and transfer of fish species into new waterbodies.
• Assist with tagging Smallmouth Bass on Lake Sharpe and paddlefish population estimates.
• Assist with acoustic telemetry projects to evaluate habitat use.
• Perform office tasks like data management and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Boats operation

Data management

Fisheries knowledge

Basic computer skills

Field survey

Education

Enrolled student (college/university/tech institute)

Tools

Boat maintenance

GPS/equipment use

Job description

Intern - Fisheries (Spring/Summer) - 37100

Fort Pierre, SD | Game, Fish, and Parks | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

19.09 - 19.09 US per hour

Description

Session: Spring (January - May) / Summer (June - October)
Position Title:Intern - Fisheries
Hiring Manager: Dylan Gravenhof
Agency:Department of Game, Fish, and Parks
Location: Fort Pierre, SD
Minimum Salary: $19.09/hr

Position Description:
South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks is seeking applicants for three spring fisheries intern positions for the 2027 field season. Applicants must either have graduated the semester prior to beginning employment or be enrolled as full-time students during their period of employment. Start and end dates for the position will be approximately February 1 through October 30 (9 months) dependent on applicant's educational status.

Primary work duties will include assisting biologists and leading crews of fisheries interns in various tasks including:

• Annual Walleye spawning operations on the Missouri River.
• Trap & transfer of various fish species into new waterbodies.
• Assist with research project tagging Smallmouth Bass on Lake Sharpe.
• Assist with acoustic telemetry project evaluating fish use around introduced habitat structures.
• Assist with capturing and tagging Paddlefish to estimate population size.
• Lead crews conducting fish population surveys on small impoundments.
• Many other various tasks including boat/gear maintenance, angler use surveys, AIS inspections, etc.
• In office tasks may include ageing fish via otoliths, data management for projects, assisting with writing manuscripts for publication and developing presentations for professional meetings.

Opportunities will also be available for the applicant to assist with other areas within GFP including Law Enforcement, Terrestrial Habitat and Access, and Terrestrial Wildlife crews.

Qualifications:
Applicant must be enrolled as a part-time/full-time student at a college, university, or technical institute at the time they apply. By the start of the internship, the student should have completed one year (nine months) of their chosen program.

Valid driver’s license, the ability to perform strenuous physical labor, the ability to lift 60 pounds repeatedly, willingness to work in inclement weather, and the availability to work nights and weekends. Some overnight travel may be required.

All students are encouraged to apply, but preference may be given to applicants with a standing of junior/senior, South Dakota residents, and students of South Dakota institutions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• operation and maintenance of boats, motors, and trailers;
• basic vehicle and equipment maintenance;
• knowledge of fisheries management principles and techniques;
• fish identification;
• basic computer operation.

*Positions can be filled prior to the closing date.*