Conservation Intern

Ozaukee County•Port Washington, WI

1d•$18

About The Position

This internship position provides technical support related to soil and water conservation through means such as promoting soil health, agricultural engineering, GIS mapping, and community education and outreach. The projects completed in this internship will usher compliance with county ordinances to protect and enhance Ozaukee County’s Soil and Water Resources. Employment period is between May – August 2026 at a pay rate of $17.53/hour. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Requirements

Applicant must possess or be pursuing a degree in natural resources or other related environmental fields.
Computer skills, the ability to navigate and understand maps (aerial, soil, and topography) is required.
Possession of a valid Driver’s License is required

Nice To Haves

Experience, either hands-on or in class, in ArcGIS, GPS and agriculture is desired.

Responsibilities

Assist the Land and Water Staff in performing topographic surveys using GPS/Transit survey equipment for projects related to conservation, such as grassed waterways, animal waste control, erosion control, etc. Also, use Survey Equipment to stakeout projects prior to construction, and collect documentation throughout the construction process to ensure specs. and standards are met.
Assist with mapping features within Ozaukee County using ArcGIS. Projects will include maps of farm fields that include but are not limited to the following attributes: Name, field name, acres, crop year, identified crop, cover crop, etc. Data collection may be required in this project via field spot-checks.
Assist with agricultural research at the County’s HWY 57 Demonstration Plot. This project will consist of the planting of cover crops, corn, soybean and wheat crops, monitoring, harvesting and data collection. Soil Temperature readings, photographs, and notes will need to be taken weekly, if not daily.
Assist with calibration, and use of county rental equipment: Tractor/Interseeder, Airseeder, Crimper.
Attend and assist with the setup, presentation and cleanup of community education events such as field days, workshops, and the Plot Day held at the HWY 57 Demonstration Plot alongside The Clean Farm Families Producer-Led Watershed Group and Ozaukee County Demo Farm Network.
Assist staff with collection of water samples from local streams following the Water Action Volunteer protocol and the Poseidon Pellet research plot.
A summer project of the Intern’s choosing will be assigned.