2019 water resources summer internship program

Position Description: 

Have an interest in the environment, conservation, and agriculture, particularly water and soil quality?  We are seeking undergraduate student interns for summer 2019 who are self-motivated, detail-oriented, strong communicators, enthusiastic, and have a sense of fun!

Interns’ time will be split between outreach and research, all centered around environmental issues and challenges in Iowa. Summer interns will have the opportunity to:

  • Work with two exciting Iowa State University education and outreach programs:

  • Develop strong oral communication skills as you help children and adults better understand environmental and agricultural issues

  • Travel throughout the state of Iowa with the fleet of three Conservation Station trailers

  • Contribute to water and soil quality research projects in ISU’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

  • Gain technical skills related to agricultural and biosystems engineering, environmental science, soil health and water quality through both field and lab research

This internship program is based on campus at Iowa State University and will involve travel to research sites and various outreach events around the state, which includes some scheduled night and weekend events.  This is a paid internship, with students working up to 40 hours/week. The internship program begins Wednesday, May 15 and runs through Friday, August 2, 2019.

The Iowa State University water resources internship program serves as an outstanding springboard for careers in agriculture, engineering, the environment, and/or further studies. From a relatively small beginning as student research assistantships in 2007 with a single trailer-mounted rainfall simulator to the launch of the Conservation Station fleet in 2010, interns have been integral to the success of these programs. Today there are three Conservation Stations in regular use, and the teams of interns go out with them for nearly every visit.  Over the years, 45 individuals have served as water resources interns and have gone on to such careers as project engineer, watershed coordinator, environmental educator, field research specialist, and USDA-FSA program technician, while others have pursued graduate school opportunities. Learn about their experiences in this Wallaces Farmer article titled Learning Life Lessons as ISU Water Resources Interns.

Job Skills and Requirements:

  • Currently enrolled undergraduate student (open to all majors)

  • Demonstrated interest and/or background in environmental science, natural resources, conservation, soils, water quality, agriculture, and/or education

  • Evidence of strong communications skills

  • Ability to learn new tasks quickly

  • Teamwork skills

  • Self-motivated

  • Detailed-oriented

  • Time management skills

Additional Internship Requirements:

  • Participation in 4-week spring training course for internship (one night per week, beginning week of March 25 following spring break)

  • Valid US driver’s license

  • Background check with ISU Risk Management for working with youth

How to Apply:

Required application materials include:

  • PDF Resume (Be sure to include your GPA, major, and previous work experience)

  • PDF Cover Letter (Tell us what interests you about this internship and why you’d be a great fit!)

Internship application deadline is 5:00pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2019. Please submit your complete application package to Liz Juchems via email – ejuchems@iastate.edu. We will conduct interviews with qualified students in early February.