Intern - Fisheries (Spring/Summer)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks is seeking three Spring Fisheries Intern positions for the 2027 field season. Interns must be enrolled as full- or part-time students and available Feb 1 through Oct 30, with start and end dates flexible based on education status.

Responsibilities include annual Walleye spawning operations on the Missouri River, trap and transfer of various fish species into new waterbodies, tagging Smallmouth Bass, acoustic telemetry projects, Paddlefish tagging,

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a part-time or full-time student during employment period.
• Must be able to lift 60 pounds repeatedly and perform strenuous work.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends and some overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• Assist annual Walleye spawning operations on the Missouri River.
• Trap and transfer fish species into new waterbodies.
• Assist with tagging Smallmouth Bass and with acoustic telemetry projects.
• Tag Paddlefish to estimate population size and lead population surveys.
• Perform boat/gear maintenance and assist with data management.

Skills

Boats operation

Boat maintenance

Fisheries management

Fish identification

Basic computer operation

Education

Enrollment as student (college/university/technical institute)

Job description

Position Details

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

*APPLICANT MUST BE A CURRENT PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME STUDENT (MINIMUM OF 6 CREDIT HOURS) IN UPCOMING SEMESTER OR IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SEMESTER.

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.

• 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.*

Contact

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone]

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

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