Operations Student Intern (9025)

Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Operations Bureau and make a lasting impact.  

We are seeking an enthusiastic and team oriented student intern to become part of our Vegetation Management Section. With this role, you will be provided with the opportunity to learn about how invasive plants affect and are managed on conservation lands, habitat restoration sites, lakes, rivers, and flood control projects.

For helping to maintain our valuable water resources as a student, we offer:

Compensation:

High School Intern - $13.00 hourly

College Intern - $16.00 hourly

Essential Functions

• Perform field work (surveys and herbicide applications) to assist staff with the management of invasive plant populations on District conservation lands, habitat restoration sites, lakes, rivers, and flood control projects.
• Assist with data management, monitoring, and performance metric programs including GPS, ArcExplorer, ArcMap, Survey 123 mobile application, and other data management programs. 
• Function in an office environment and operate equipment such as a personnel computer with standard software programs (Outlook, Word, Excel), copier, etc.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position will work with staff on remote conservation lands, habitat restoration sites, lakes, rivers, and flood control projects and may be subject to adverse weather conditions and associated pests. Requires the ability to operate a four-wheel drive truck and operation and loading of an ATV and watercraft. Must be able to hike long distances through the woods carrying and operating a backpack sprayer and be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds. Requires bending and reaching above shoulder level. Small percentage of time will be spent in a standard office environment. Performs continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding) with one or both hands. Occasionally required to drive a District vehicle for two hours or more at a time. Work environments vary by assigned business unit.  

Required Credentials for Operations Student Intern

• Be at least part-time and currently enrolled in High School, an accredited college, university, or other recognized educational or vocational program
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students or minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate students
• Upload Unofficial Transcript to application or profile
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Credentials for Operations Student Intern

• Outdoor work experience
• GPS/GIS experience
• Knowledge of invasive species and available control methods
• Excel and technical report writing
• Preferred Degrees: Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, related major
• Preferred Degree Level: Undergraduate or Graduate

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work no more than 25 hours per week, two 10-hour days, between Monday to Thursday, from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM, out of the Brooksville, FL office. Schedule is contingent upon the decision of the hiring manager and the successful candidate. Student Internship positions are not eligible for insured medical benefits. 

Travel Required

Some travel, using a District vehicle, within the District's coverage area

Accepting applications until April 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM

About Us

The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions. 

Apply Now

Start and grow your career with the District! The District prides itself on providing a positive work environment that engages and supports our employees through flexible and remote work schedules. We provide and support learning and development for staff at all levels including conferences, association memberships, and formal education. Let us know if you have previous public sector experience that may allow for additional perks! Click on the link to apply.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA. 

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Salary : $13 - $16