Intern - Surface Water Management (Freshwater Ecology) - Seasonal

Full Job Description

Make Your Summer Count: Freshwater Ecology Internship with Snohomish County!

Looking for an internship that gets you outdoors, builds your science skills, and makes a real impact? Join Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management team as a Freshwater Ecology Intern!

We’re hiring two motivated college students (junior or above) for an 8–12 week paid internship starting in May or June.

Why You’ll Love This Internship

• Hands-on experience in freshwater science—no sitting behind a desk all summer!
• Work alongside water resource professionals and learn real-world field and lab techniques.
• Build skills that look great on your resume and help launch your career.

What You’ll Do

• Collect water samples from streams and lakes for chemical and nutrient testing.
• Measure stream habitat features like width, sediment, pools, and wood.
• Survey aquatic plants and collect biological samples (invertebrates, fish, zooplankton).
• Operate and maintain sampling equipment for pH, temperature, and conductivity.
• Help with data entry, analysis, and GIS mapping.

What We’re Looking For

• Interest in freshwater science and how human activity impacts ecosystems.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather, on uneven terrain, and on boats.
• Team player with strong communication skills.
• Familiarity with Excel; GIS experience is a bonus.

Details

• Must commit to at least 8 weeks.
• To apply: upload your resume and answer a few questions. Show us how your skills match what we’re looking for!

Rate of pay is determined by the number of full academic years the applicant has completed at an accredited college or university by the beginning of the internship.

Candidates must be majoring or completed coursework in any of the following programs: environmental science/studies, civil engineering, watershed or water resource management, water quality, biology, chemistry, ecology, limnology, forestry, agriculture, botany, plant ecology, horticulture, environmental health, toxicology, environmental planning, geology, geomorphology, geography, GIS, communications, environmental education, marketing, or related field.

Proof of current enrollment in an accredited college or university at the time of participation. If not currently enrolled, the student must provide proof of future enrollment.

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

About Surface Water ManagementSWM is a stormwater utility that provides services to unincorporated Snohomish County.

These services are funded by service charges paid by property owners in the unincorporated county.

SWM is the largest division in Snohomish County’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with an annual budget of $54.6 million.

SWM works in partnership with other local and regional agencies to improve Snohomish County now and for future generations.

SWM provides a variety of programs and services for reducing road and property flooding and preserving and improving the health of Snohomish County's water resources and natural systems.

We focus on four core areas of service:

• Drainage and road flooding
• Clean water in rivers, streams and lakes;
• Salmon and marine habitat; and
• River flooding

You can find us responding to water-quality problems and complaints, monitoring river levels during flood season, maintaining drainage systems, managing habitat improvement projects and more.

For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info. Our 2024 Highlights report is available here.

About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management, the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture and aims to achieve high-priority environmental sustainability goals.

Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources.

From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources.

Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web page to learn more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management’s programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info.

About Snohomish CountySnohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.

The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

When joining the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported.

We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents.

We are invested in your success and growth and offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, employer paid ORCA cards, and a friendly, diverse team atmosphere where employees are appreciated and make a real difference providing services for our citizens.

We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career.

Snohomish County - The Future We Choose

Benefits
Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth. We demonstrate this by offering a generous compensation package to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package. Our benefits include:

• Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
• Other benefits include wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, long term disability, and more.
• Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Career development training.

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: Vicki Remtulla.

Requirements

1. Interns may be required to perform one or more of the following job duties:
2. Assists with Surface Water Management projects and programs.
3. Assists with project assessment and monitoring activities.
4. Assists with public outreach at public meetings, fairs and festivals.
5. Assists with coordination of volunteer activities for protecting water quality and restoring salmon habitat.
6. Assists with data management.
7. Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Additional Information