Intern - Surface Water Quality (Summer)

State of South Dakota; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 32,339,000 - 58,052,000; Part time

Job summary

The Surface Water Quality Intern position is offered by the South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. It supports field and office work evaluating water use classifications for SD waters, with hands-on environmental monitoring and data analysis experience.

Candidates must be current part-time or full-time students and have completed at least a year of study.

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a part-time or full-time student at a college, university, or technical institute.
• By the start of the internship, the student should have completed one year (nine months) of their chosen program.
• Preference may be given to juniors/seniors, SD residents, and students of SD institutions.

Responsibilities

• Assist field assessments of streams and wetlands to support use classifications.
• Collect water quality data as part of an environmental science team.
• Operate and maintain field equipment (meters, gear).
• Assist with fish collection, habitat assessments, and sampling.
• Conduct fieldwork in varied weather and rugged terrain.
• Travel for fieldwork, including 2–3 day trips.
• Verify data using iNaturalist, GIS, and statistics software.

Job description

Session: Summer (May - August)

Position Title: Surface Water Quality Intern

Hiring Manager: Sean Kruger

Agency: Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Location: Pierre and/or Brookings, SD

Minimum Salary: $22.53/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

This internship supports the Surface Water Quality Program in evaluating the recreational and fish life propagation use classifications of South Dakota’s waters—commonly referred to as “Fishable/Swimmable” designations. The role involves both field and office-based work, offering hands‑on experience in environmental monitoring and data analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in field assessments of streams and wetlands to support beneficial use classification reviews.
• Collect water quality data as part of a team of environmental scientists.
• Operate and maintain field equipment, including multi-parameter water quality meters, velocity meters, and fish sampling gear.
• Participate in fish collection and identification, physical habitat assessments, and water sampling.
• Conduct fieldwork in variable weather conditions and rugged terrain.
• Travel for fieldwork, including overnight stays (typically 2-3 days per trip).
• Perform office-based tasks such as data verification using iNaturalist, GIS tools, environmental databases, and statistical software.

Candidates should have an interest or academic background in environmental science, biology, ecology, or a related field. The position requires the ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and rugged terrain. Applicants must be willing to travel and stay overnight during field assignments, typically lasting two to three days. Strong attention to detail and the ability to work effectively as part of a team are essential. Familiarity with GIS, data analysis tools, or biological identification is beneficial but not required.

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.*

An Equal Opportunity Employer

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone]