Watershed Protection Intern

Organization Description: Founded in 1979, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is a  nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan’s lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater. Based in beautiful Petoskey, Michigan, the Watershed Council works on local water quality issues in the watersheds of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties, as well as state, federal, and binational policy. Hallmarks of the Council’s work include respected advocacy, watershed planning, innovative education, technically sound water quality monitoring, thorough research, collaboration, and community empowerment. For more background information, visit www.watershedcouncil.org.  

Intern Summary: The Watershed Protection Intern reports to the Water Resources Manager. The majority of fieldwork duties will be done under the direct supervision of the Monitoring Coordinator. The hired intern’s work will depend on scheduled project priorities, but will include many of the experiences listed below: 

Volunteer Monitoring Programs: The Watershed Council coordinates two volunteer-based  programs to monitor lakes and streams. Interns work with our Watershed Protection Team to  organize and carry out volunteer activities, including recruiting and training volunteers, field data collection, laboratory analyses, and quality assurance. Interns are also expected to help with data input, data analyses, developing data visualization tools (charts, graphs, etc.), and assisting with reports. Freshwater data collected through volunteer programs includes macroinvertebrate samples, chlorophyll-a samples, and Secchi depth measurements.

Field Surveys, Inventories, and Restoration Projects: Interns get their feet wet in the water resource management field by assisting with a variety of water-related projects. Generally, these may include: collecting water quality data, performing shoreline or aquatic plant surveys, conducting invasive species inventories, assessing streambank and shoreline erosion, helping with rain garden maintenance, and much more. Interns also help in the lab with calibration and maintenance of field survey equipment, water quality monitoring instrumentation, sampling gear, and GPS tools. 

Geographical Information System (GIS) Programs, Database, and Office Tasks: GIS is used by the Watershed Council for a vast array of projects, including lake-wide surveys, impervious surface studies, stormwater drainage basin delineation, land cover assessments, and land protection prioritization. Interns may assist staff with GIS work by processing collected field data, performing spatial analyses, and using ArcGIS Pro and associated software. In addition, interns provide further support to staff by developing and populating databases and performing miscellaneous office tasks. Office tasks include taking care of our freshwater aquariums and stream tank which include macroinvertebrates, whitefish, grayling, and even a juvenile sturgeon.

Outreach and Education: One of the most important functions of the Watershed Council is to educate and inform shoreline residents, government officials, businesses, and the general public about various water-related topics. Topics include, but are not limited to, lake and stream ecosystem management, aquatic invasive species, best management practices that protect water quality, permitting, dam safety, and issues like pipeline awareness. Education efforts may include staffing a mobile boat washing station to educate the public about aquatic invasive species, and presenting water quality topics to the community. Interns help organize and participate in lake and river clean-ups, lake association meetings, and local water-related festivals. Interns also help Watershed Council staff with informational articles, publications, and presentations by gathering information, researching water resource topics, and writing reports. 

Qualifications: This is a full-time internship that earns $15 per hour for 40 hours per week, and may also be completed to obtain college credit. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in biology, environmental biology, environmental sciences, environmental studies, natural resources, or a related field and should possess strong written, verbal, and computer skills, and have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle. Proficiency in paddling (kayak and canoe), as well as the ability to occasionally work 10+ hours/day, is required for fieldwork. Occasional work during evenings or weekends is required for events. Prior experience with GIS, plant identification, water quality monitoring, macroinvertebrate identification, and event organization are ideal. Preferred candidates will possess a positive attitude and be highly motivated. Anticipated work dates are early-mid May through mid-August. The Watershed Council offers lodging and food accommodations.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and contact information for two professional references to apply@watershedcouncil.org. Please put “2025 WP INTERNSHIP” in the subject line.