Fisheries Intern

State of Montana • Dillon, MT

8h

About The Position

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.
Announcement:
Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.
Resume
Cover Letter
References
Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on March 22, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.
Special Information:
Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).
A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.
Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.
Dillon is in the southwest corner of Montana. The population of Dillon is around 4300 and the town offers several grocery stores, great food options, a brewery, and numerous parks. Trout fishing around Dillon is world renowned with the Beaverhead River flowing through town and the Ruby, Big Hole, Jefferson, and Madison rivers all nearby. Dillon also offers ample hiking and camping opportunities in the surrounding National Forest.
The rewards are great for the student who is capable of successfully filling this position, but the job is physically challenging. This is an excellent summer opportunity for someone majoring in Fish and Wildlife Management or a related field and for those desiring college credits as an internship, individual project, or independent study.
WORK START/END DATES: June 8, 2026 - August 28, 2026
TRAINING/ORIENTATION DATES: June 9,2024
Per Diem provided
Specific Job Information:
The fisheries intern in the Beaverhead and Ruby River Watersheds will assist in the completion of projects pertaining to native fishes such as: Westslope cutthroat trout conservation in tributary streams to the Beaverhead, Red Rock and Ruby rivers. The selected intern will assist a FWP crew in survey and inventory of native resident Arctic Grayling and Westslope cutthroat trout populations to determine population status and genetic characteristics to develop conservation plans, physical removal of non-native fishes occurring in sympatry with Westslope cutthroat trout via electrofishing, eDNA sampling and piscicide application. Surveying and inventory of fish assemblages in high mountain lakes via gill netting to develop lake-specific management strategies. This position will also assist with wild fish transfers and stocking hatchery fish. Bathymetry data collection, flow measurements, genetic sample collection and other conservation related work will be completed during this internship.

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in a college or university (i.e., no housing will be provided)
• Minimum GPA of 3.00 is required in majors such as Biology, Fish and Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation, or Environmental Science/Studies
• The person hired must be in good physical shape and be able to hike 5 miles per day and carry equipment including, but not limited to a 40+ lb. backpack, small outboard motors, and other heavy objects
• Most work will be performed outside and often in remote places
• Incumbent must be comfortable working outdoors and knowledge of camping and backpacking are valuable, as is the ability to read and interpret topographical maps
• Person must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable riding ATVs
• The person must also be comfortable communicating and working as a team towards a common goal

Nice To Haves

• knowledge of camping and backpacking are valuable, as is the ability to read and interpret topographical maps

Responsibilities

• assist in the completion of projects pertaining to native fishes such as: Westslope cutthroat trout conservation in tributary streams to the Beaverhead, Red Rock and Ruby rivers
• assist a FWP crew in survey and inventory of native resident Arctic Grayling and Westslope cutthroat trout populations to determine population status and genetic characteristics to develop conservation plans
• physical removal of non-native fishes occurring in sympatry with Westslope cutthroat trout via electrofishing, eDNA sampling and piscicide application
• Surveying and inventory of fish assemblages in high mountain lakes via gill netting to develop lake-specific management strategies
• assist with wild fish transfers and stocking hatchery fish
• Bathymetry data collection
• flow measurements
• genetic sample collection
• other conservation related work

Benefits

• Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance
• Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays
• This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association)
• Per Diem provided

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed