INTERNSHIP SUMMARY
The Water Resources Intern will assist with District projects, support community engagement efforts, and gain hands-on experience in field monitoring and maintenance. Intern will develop technical skills in GIS and data management and lead an outreach initiative aligned with the District’s Education and Outreach Plan. A special project may be pursued based on the intern’s interests and program needs.
| POSITION TITLE: | Water Resources Intern |
| SALARY: | $21.00 per hour |
| HOURS: | 40 hours per week |
| TERM: | Summer position, May–August 2026 (10-12 weeks; flexible start and end dates) |
| LOCATION: |
Prior Lake–Spring Lake Watershed District 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 |
| DEADLINE: | Application review begins February 1; rolling applications accepted until the position is filled. |
| TO APPLY: | Submit a cover letter and resume to tgostonczik@plslwd.org with the position title in the subject line. |
Community Outreach (40%)
- Develop a social media campaign on an environmental or District topic.
- Lead planning efforts for one outreach event supporting the 2026 Education and Outreach Plan.
- Assist staff with communications through website and social media updates.
- Provide staff support at public outreach events.
- Perform regular maintenance tasks such as vegetation and debris removal at outlet structures, water quality project sites, restoration areas, and stream sampling sites.
- Collect daily precipitation gauge readings.
- Assist with water quality and flow sampling for lakes and streams.
- Assist with carp management activities, including tagging, tracking, and removal efforts.
- Streamline and update GIS datasets.
- Organize and maintain photo archives.
- Support data entry and mapping workflows.
- Additional administrative, outreach, and field tasks, as assigned.
- Minimum of one year of college towards a degree in environmental science, biology, water resources, or related field.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for work responsibilities.
- Ability to work independently outdoors in variable terrain and weather conditions.
- Ability to lift/carry/operate equipment (up to 50 lbs).
- Possess strong written and oral communication skills.
- Possess strong organizational and time management skills.
- Familiarity with ESRI products (ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online).
- Ability to navigate using aerial maps.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Experience creating effective outreach content, such as writing newsletters, managing social media pages, and/or creating content using Canva.
- Experience with water monitoring equipment such as multi-parameter Sonde, Secchi, ISCO flow modules, telemetry level-loggers, etc.
- Ability to safely drive, launch, maneuver, and trailer a boat; hold a valid MN Watercraft Operators Permit.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Contact Teresa Gostonczik at tgostonczik@plslwd.org or 952-447-4166.
