Environmental Resources Internship – Groundwater Protection

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources- Groundwater Protection
HOURS: Full-Time Temporary
HIRING RANGE: $18.00 – 20.00 hourly depending on qualifications
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2025
This temporary position could be a great opportunity for a current college student or recent graduate to explore their interest and gain work experience in the groundwater field. The intern will assist County staff manage the well seal grant program, to include identifying properties that have a high likelihood of having an unused, unsealed well and promoting well seal grants through the utilization of GIS applications and the Dakota County water well database; conducting communication and outreach; and assisting with other unit and department process improvements.
Additional learning opportunities will occur through engagement in additional Department activities, including groundwater and surface water sampling events; and potential participation at various events outside of normal work hours such as nitrate testing clinics, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days, and the Dakota County Fair.
This is a temporary (6-month), full-time (40 hours/week) spring/summer internship for a college student or recent college graduate interested in drinking water and groundwater protection. This internship position functions in a staff-level capacity as part of the Environmental Resources Department working in the field, at the Western Service Center in Apple Valley, and working remotely.
NOTE: Hiring manager requests applicants attach a cover letter and resume.

* 2 years of pertinent coursework towards the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in physical or biological sciences, geographic information systems, resource/waste management, environmental studies, environmental education/communication, environmental planning, engineering, or another closely related field;
AND
* Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications:
* Direct experience, education, and/or training with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Well Seal Grant Administration: Assist in administering the well seal grant program by developing communication and promotion materials (e.g., flyers, letters, social media, etc.), process grants applications, and help locate wells using a magnetometer or metal locator, as needed.
2. Well Inventory: Identify properties that have a strong possibility of having an unused, unsealed well by reviewing historical data and municipal water connection information. Use GIS, the County’s water well database, current and historic aerial photographs, and other information to identify neighborhoods to be targeted for the promotion of well seal grants.
3. Prioritize Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs): Use the ‘targeted’ properties list to prioritize neighborhoods within municipal DWSMAs to target for well-sealing information and well-sealing cost-share grants.
4. Education and Outreach: Plan and develop education and outreach events as time permits (such as supporting events at the County Fair); supporting chloride reduction outreach efforts and activities; coordinate meetings and events with internal and external partners and assist with public communication and outreach.
5. Additional Learning Opportunities: The intern will be provided additional learning opportunities from all areas of the Environmental Resources Department (ERD) as they arise.
Essential Functions: 1 – 3

* Excellent verbal and written interpersonal communication skills
* Mathematically competent and science literate
* GIS experience or training
* Strong interpersonal skills, outgoing with the ability to effectively interact with land owners and the general public is preferred
* fluency in modern office software programs (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
* Ability to:

• build and maintain relationships;
• demonstrate flexibility in work assignments;
• work both independently and with others;
• work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds;
• follow and develop processes;
• manage a project;
• take the initiative in work assignments, organize them, and complete them;
• work with large data sets and repetitive tasks for extended periods; and conduct research and organize information.

Selection Process

• You submit an online Application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks