job opportunities
Water Resources Internship Program - Summer 2024
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Iowa State University
Position Description:
Have an interest in the environment, conservation, and agriculture, particularly water and soil quality? We are seeking undergraduate student interns for summer 2024 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 award-winning Iowa State University education and outreach programs:
Water Rocks!, focused on youth outreach, and
Iowa Learning Farms, focused on adult/community outreachDevelop 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 Conservation Station trailers
Contribute to water and soil research projects with the Conservation Learning Group, including a project exploring soil health and water quality impacts of relay intercropping as method of sustainable intensification
Gain technical skills related to agricultural and biosystems engineering, environmental science, soil health and water quality through both field and lab research
The Iowa State University water resources internship program serves as an outstanding springboard for careers in agriculture, engineering, the environment, and/or further studies. Past participants in our internship program 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.
From a relatively small beginning as student research assistantships in 2007 with a single trailer-mounted rainfall simulator, to the addition of a second and the launch of the Conservation Station fleet in 2010, interns were integral to the program. Today, there are multiple Conservation Stations in regular use, and the teams of interns go out with them for nearly every visit.
Learn about the Water Resources Internship experience in Learning Life lessons as ISU Water Resources Interns, published in Wallaces Farmer.
The internship is based on campus at Iowa State University and involves travel to various outreach events and research sites around the state. Students work an average of 40 hours/week—the work schedule varies day-by-day and week-by-week, including a mix of daytime, evening, and weekend events.
This is a paid internship, at a pay rate of $14.50 per hour. The internship program begins Wednesday, May 15 and runs through Saturday, August 3, 2024.
Job Skills and Requirements:
Currently enrolled undergraduate student at a U.S.-based college, community college or university (open to all majors)
Demonstrate interest and/or background in environmental science, natural resources, conservation, soil and water quality, agriculture, and/or education
Evidence of strong communication skills
Ability to learn new tasks quickly
Teamwork skills
Self-motivated
Detail-oriented
Time management skills
Additional internship requirements include:
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 CT on Monday, February 5. Please submit your complete application package to Ann Staudt via email – astaudt@iastate.edu - using “Water Resources Internship Application" as the subject line. We will conduct interviews with qualified students in early- to mid-February.