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Governor's Summer Intern - IDEM - Watershed Assessment and Planning

Date Posted: Dec 16, 2025

Requisition ID: 469698

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46219

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Governor's Summer Internship Program (GSI):

The Governor’s Summer Internship Program (GSI) is designed to give college students real-world, hands-on experience in their desired field of study to enhance marketability upon graduation. Participation in the program will offer students a multitude of experiences including networking with state employees, resume building and soft skills workshops, agency head panels, and much more.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM):

Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.

Role Overview:

These individuals will spend time assisting with various programs and projects within the branch that enhances college-level skills and abilities. The interns will perform work both in the field and in the office. Sample collections are performed by wading into rivers and streams or from a boat. During the sampling season, the intern WILL have to work in inclement and severe weather conditions as well. Interns will need to be capable of (sometimes extensive) physical exertion for moving and carrying heavy equipment* and sampling gear to and from sites in the field to collect samples under a wide range of weather conditions.

*Examples of physical exertion could include: Carrying heavy equipment such as a generator or canoe 50m-500m over rugged terrain. Walking up to 2 miles in hot and/or humid conditions to access sites. Additionally, wading at site another 50m-1000m in-stream for fish community sampling and then hiking equipment out from site.

Responsibilities may include:

+ Collection of fish in streams and lakes for fish community assessment and fish tissue using electrofishing techniques

+ Collection of aquatic macroinvertebrates in streams using d-nets

+ Collection of water chemistry, cyanobacteria and/or E. coli samples

+ Habitat assessments

+ Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) checks on data

+ Equipment preparations and routine maintenance

+ Data entry

Hourly Rate:

The hourly rate for this position is $16.24 for those that do not hold a bachelor’s degree & $17.24 for those that hold a bachelor’s degree or higher by the time the internship starts.

Preferred Experience:

Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student with an accredited post-secondary institution and have completed at least one (1) year of undergraduate education.

+ Should be able to read maps and efficiently find remote sampling locations.

+ Organizational skills, database experience, and general familiarity with computer systems are desired.

+ At least one course in basic chemistry with laboratory training to understand the basics of safe handling and transportation of concentrated acids, strong bases, and other hazardous materials is preferred.

Important Additional Comments:

A valid driver's license is required. The intern job requires overnight travel (2-3 nights per week) from June through August to accommodate fieldwork necessities. The intern's travel percentage will be 51-75%.

+ The field work will involve collecting biological and water samples as well as stream flow and habitat measurements from flowing waterbodies by wading, boating, accessing the water from shore or bridge.

+ While sampling, the intern may occasionally be exposed to fumes, acids, some unknown toxics in water as well as poisonous plants, stinging insects, and other field hazards. Based on job requirements, protective gear such as personal flotation devices, chest waders, gloves, and hearing protection will need to be worn during certain field sampling activities while eye goggles, face protection shields, aprons, and powder free chemical resistant gloves are worn when working with chemicals.

+ Personal safety equipment and training will be provided when necessary for field and laboratory work.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

This seasonal position does not offer benefits and is limited to 180 working days in an eleven (11) month continuous period.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].

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