Intern - Native Prairie (Summer)

South Dakota AG; Watertown (SD); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Game, Fish and Parks in Watertown, SD is offering a Native Prairie Intern position for the Summer session (May–August). The internship provides hands-on experience assisting habitat staff with native prairie management, including seed harvesting, site scouting, photo point monitoring, prescribed fire, invasive species control, and grazing monitoring.

Applicants must be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student for the upcoming or immediately preceding semester, preferably

Qualifications

• Applicants with knowledge on plant identification and experience driving trucks and off-road vehicles are preferred but not required.
• 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, SD residents, and SD institution students.

Responsibilities

• Intern will assist habitat staff with the management of native prairie, including native seed harvesting, locating harvesting sites, photo point monitoring, prescribe fire, invasive plant management, and grazing monitoring.
• Intern may learn basic habitat management principles and attend trainings; must take S130/190, prescribe fire field day, pack test, and herbicide testing.
• Intern may assist with wildlife surveys and bird banding.

Skills

Plant identification

Truck/Off-road vehicle operation

Education

Current student in college/university/technical institute

Job description

Session: Summer (May - August)

Position Title: Native Prairie Intern

Hiring Manager: Owen McElroy

Agency: Department of Game, Fish and Parks

Location: Watertown, 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

Intern will assist habitat staff with the management of native prairie. This will include native seed harvesting, locating potential harvesting collection sites, photo point monitoring, prescribe fire, invasive plant management, grazing monitoring and other jobs assigned. Intern will have the opportunity to learn the basic principles of habitat management and attend some external and internal trainings. Intern will be required to take S130/190, prescribe fire field day, pack test, and complete the herbicide application testing. Intern may have the opportunity to assist with wildlife surveys and bird banding.

Qualifications

Applicants with knowledge on plant identification and experience driving trucks and off-road vehicles are preferred but not required.

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.*

An Equal Opportunity Employer