Field Services Student Intern (9043)

Join Our Regulatory Support Bureau

Help protect one of Florida's most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public's water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Support the District's Regulatory Support Bureau and gain hands-on experience supporting essential regulatory, permitting, and compliance functions. In this role, you will assist with drafting professional correspondence, compiling and analyzing data from established resources, and comparing construction activities against approved plans to identify and summarize any deviations. You'll also participate in meetings on regulatory matters, help route citizen inquiries, support environmental compliance inspections, and contribute to research that advances permitting and compliance efforts. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to develop practical skills, deepen your understanding of environmental resource programs, and collaborate with staff to achieve meaningful team goals. This internship opportunity is not eligible for remote work.

For helping to maintain our valuable water resources as a student, we offer:

• Training and Development: Having a successful career takes more than technical training. The District helps our staff develop additional skill sets, such as emotional intelligence, time management, customer service, conflict resolution, communications and more. As an intern, you are eligible to attend these on-site trainings.
• Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential assistance and support in a wide variety of areas important to an employee's well-being, including but not limited to work and life balance, stress management, coping with family issues, financial advice, legal and workplace problems, addictions, student loan assistance and any other personal issues adversely affecting quality of life.
• Wellness Program: Your Health Matters is designed to encourage employees to engage in healthier lifestyle behaviors through the achievement of health and fitness goals. The program includes classes on health and fitness topics, District campus walking routes, a fitness challenge, tobacco-cessation resources, an ergonomics program, discount programs, incentives and other resources. Participation in wellness program activities is voluntary.

Compensation:

High School Intern: $13.00 hourly College Intern: $16.00 hourly

Essential Functions:

• Draft letters and reports requesting submittal of permit conditions requirements; compliance correspondence and internal memorandum
• Compile and review data from established files, databases, maps and publications
• Compare construction activity to construction plans and permit conditions, note deviations, prepare a summary report and recommendations
• Attend meetings and participate in discussions related to regulatory matters and corrective actions needed to resolve issues of noncompliance
• Respond to, or where appropriate, routes citizen's questions to applicable staff related to permitting and compliance matters
• Assist with compliance inspections for the Environmental Resource Permitting, Water Use Protection & Well Construction Programs
• Research and compile permitting and compliance files, assisting staff with the research and coordination of completing assignments necessary to achieve team goals

Working Conditions:

Work is divided between the field and office. Fieldwork is frequently conducted under adverse weather conditions, and may involve remote, undeveloped and/or isolated sites. Work may be conducted on or around open water, wetlands or marshes. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work environments vary by assigned business unit.

Required Credentials for Regulatory Support Student Intern:

• Be at least part-time and currently enrolled in high school, an accredited college, university, or other recognized educational or vocational program
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students or minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate students
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Credentials for Regulatory Support Student Intern:

• Experience with GIS
• Have at least one year remaining in their respective program
• Have the availability to work near the maximum allowable hours weekly
• Preferred Degrees: Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or other related Physical Science degree
• Preferred Degree Level: Undergraduate

Additional Details:

This position is typically scheduled to work no more than 25 hours per week between Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, out of the Bartow, FL office. The District's Student Internship Program is a year-round program. Therefore, this position is not strictly a summer internship position. Each semester, work schedules can be adjusted depending on the student's class schedule.

Travel Required:

Yes. Infrequent travel, using a District vehicle, within District's coverage area

Accepting applications until August 17, 2026 at 4:00 pm

About Us:

The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses. All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s). The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.