Aquatic Program Intern (1 Position)
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Description
The Aquatic Program Intern is a paid position that gives undergraduate students practical experience and opportunities for hands-on education through fieldwork with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). This unique position will support the DWR’s Aquatic Section Team who conducts aquatic wildlife management work in northern Utah. The individual selected for the Aquatic Program Intern position will help DWR biologists manage aquatic species through a variety of fieldwork including species surveys, habitat restoration, water quality sampling, fish stockings and more.
Learn more about the DWR’s aquatic programs and becoming part of #TeamWildlife by visiting our blog, podcast, and youtube channel.
Duties
- Assist biologists with fishery surveys using equipment like boats, rafts, backpack electrofishing equipment, gill nets, trap nets and seines
- Stock reservoirs and ponds with fish including tiger muskie, wiper and channel catfish
- Conduct visual encounter, mark-recapture and egg mass surveys for native amphibians including boreal toad and Columbia spotted frog
- Snorkel for native freshwater mussels including the western pearlshell and winged floater
- Survey remote locations for aquatic and terrestrial snails
- Participate in stream and river restoration projects along the Weber and Logan rivers
- Prepare hard structures from fish, like scales and otoliths, for aging analysis
- Assist with early detection monitoring for quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species
- Monitor forage abundance for fish using plankton tows and seines
- Monitor water quality at community fisheries
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at USU’s Quinney College of Natural Resources. Applicants must have a general knowledge of biology and an interest in wildlife-related conservation. Knowledge of aquatic biology is a plus. Preference may be given to individuals who are interested in pursuing a degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Applicants must be quick-learners and have a willingness to develop the skills needed to safely perform a wide-variety of tasks. Individuals who demonstrate that they are hardworking, driven and a motivated team member are preferred.
A valid driver's license is required. Experience operating all-terrain vehicles, boats and pulling trailers is a plus.
The successful applicant will be expected to conduct outdoor work in variable weather conditions and terrain for extended periods of time. There will be walking, hiking, standing, bending, carrying light items and occasional lifting of items that weigh up to 50 pounds.
This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position, which will involve irregular hours, including evenings and some work on weekends. A typical work week includes four 10 hour days (Monday through Thursday) that start at 7:00 AM. Overnight travel within Utah will occasionally be required. The DWR will cover expenses related to any required travel.
People and Culture Expectation
The successful applicant will be expected to uphold the DWR’s values of integrity, professionalism, accountability, teamwork and cooperation. The behaviors they embrace should set an example of professional and personal respect. The intern will be expected to actively promote a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, as well as make good faith efforts to understand people as unique individuals with diverse life experiences, challenges and opportunities.
Credits/Honors
Successful applicants may enroll for up to 3 credit hours during the internship; Honors Program participants may enroll for points. Individuals would work with a USU advisor to develop and complete an academic assignment during the internship.
Salary: $15/hour (40 hrs/week)
Location: Base of operations at the DWR’s Northern Region Office located at 515 E. 5300 South, Ogden, Utah
Number of Openings: 1
Closing Date: midnight February 4, 2024
Employment Dates: Flexible; not to exceed 480 hours over 12 weeks between early May and the end of August, 2023.
Housing: Not provided
Apply to the QCNR summer internship program here.
For more information, contact:
Skyler Smith, Native Aquatic Biologist
Northern Region | Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
stsmith@utah.gov