Intern - Geologist (Summer)

Sdsoybean; Vermillion (SD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is seeking a Geologist Intern for the Summer session in Vermillion, SD. The intern will support field mapping, drilling test holes, installing monitoring wells, and water sampling, gaining experience in groundwater resources and GIS workflows.

The role requires enrollment as a college student (part-time or full-time) with at least one year completed in the program.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Assist SD Geological Survey personnel with mapping of geology and groundwater resources of South Dakota.
• Drill test holes and install monitoring wells; sample water and analyze data.
• GIS mapping of aquifers and bedrock geology; interpret drill cuttings or core.
• Observe geophysical logging and learn interpretation of logs for subsurface geology.
• Collaborate across multiple geologic settings throughout South Dakota.

Skills

GIS mapping

Water sampling

Drilling test holes

Education

Enrolled college student

Tools

GIS software

Test hole drilling equipment

Job description

Vermillion, SD | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

22.53 - 22.53 US per hour

Posted 6 days ago | Apply before January 27, 2027

Description

Session:Summer (May - August)
Position Title:GeologistIntern
Hiring Manager: Tim Cowman
Agency:Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Location: Vermillion
Minimum Salary: $22.53/hr

Position Description:
The student will assist SD Geological Survey personnel with tasks related to the mapping of the geology and ground water resources of South Dakota. Tasks will include drilling of test holes and installation of monitoring wells, water sampling, mapping, data analysis, and GIS mapping of aquifers and bedrock geology. Experience will be gained in seeing and interpreting drill cuttings or core recovered from test holes in glacial and bedrock sediments. The student will assist with geophysical logging of test holes and will see how the logs are used to interpret subsurface geology. The student will have the opportunity to work in multiple geologic settings across South Dakota.

The selected intern should have had college courses covering the following topics: physical geology, petrology, stratigraphy, and structural geology. Courses recommended, but not required, are hydrogeology and geographic information systems.

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.

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.

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