Environmental Intern

Internship Opportunity With Sarasota County Government

Sarasota County Government offers an internship in environmental science with the Stormwater Division. This internship provides hands-on experience in data collection and analysis, project management, and fieldwork in waterbodies.

The internship aims to provide students with an unsurpassed learning experience and insight into the dynamic world of public sector employment. Interns will develop new skills, gain experience, and explore public service while observing and participating in tasks performed by skilled professionals.

The internship includes impactful hands-on work within a department, networking, professional development, and building long-lasting connections with other interns, mentors, and Sarasota County team members. The program will provide constructive review and evaluation of skills and competencies, offering growth opportunities and direction for further professional and educational development.

By the end of the internship, interns will learn how to collect surface water quality samples, review and transform environmental analyte data, create informative education outreach materials, and coordinate project management activities.

Interns will assist with project management activities that support environmentally focused water quality, biological, and sediment abatement projects. They will also assist with the creation and production of informative educational outreach materials, participate in the oversight and scheduling of volunteer activities, and collaborate with colleagues to make and influence real changes.

The internship program includes a presentation to the County Administrator and other County Leadership staff at the close of the internship. Interns are required to participate in all organized intern events and trainings.

Competitive wage, hands-on work experience, professional headshot, 1-1 mentoring with county staff, and professional development events are part of the internship program.

Minimum qualifications include being at least 18 years old or 16 with parental consent, having a high school diploma or equivalent, being eligible to work in the United States, and currently seeking a diploma or degree through an accredited secondary or post-secondary educational program or within 12 months after graduation.

Preferred qualifications include candidates currently working toward a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Science or a closely related field.

The 2023 internship program will begin on May 22, 2023, and end on August 11, 2023. Internship hours are 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some departments vary. Pay range is $13 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on credit hours earned.