Intern - Fisheries (Spring)
About The Position
South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) is seeking applicants for two spring fisheries interns for the 2026 field season. Start and end dates for the position will be approximately January 1 through September 30 (9 months). Primary work duties will include assisting biologists and leading crews of fisheries interns in various tasks including: Annual Walleye spawning operations on the Missouri River Trap & transfer of various fish species into new waterbodies Assist with research project tagging Smallmouth Bass on Lake Sharpe Assist with acoustic telemetry project evaluating fish use around introduced habitat structures Assist with capturing and tagging Paddlefish to estimate population size Lead crews conducting fish population surveys on small impoundments Many other various tasks including boat/gear maintenance, angler use surveys, AIS inspections, etc. In office tasks may include ageing fish via otoliths, data management for projects, assisting with writing manuscripts for publication and developing presentations for professional meetings. Opportunities will also be available for the applicant to assist with other areas within GFP including Law Enforcement, Terrestrial Habitat and Access, and Terrestrial Wildlife crews.
Requirements
- Valid driver's license
- The ability to perform strenuous physical labor
- The ability to lift 60 pounds repeatedly
- Willingness to work in inclement weather
- The availability to work nights and weekends
- Applicant must be enrolled as a part-time/full-time student at a college, university, or technical institute at the time they apply.
- By the start of the internship, the student should have completed one year (nine months) of their chosen program.
- Operation and maintenance of boats, motors, and trailers
- Basic vehicle and equipment maintenance
- Knowledge of fisheries management principles and techniques
- Fish identification
- Basic computer operation
Nice To Haves
- Preference may be given to applicants with a standing of junior/senior
- South Dakota residents
- Students of South Dakota institutions
Responsibilities
- Assisting biologists
- Leading crews of fisheries interns
- Annual Walleye spawning operations on the Missouri River
- Trap & transfer of various fish species into new waterbodies
- Assist with research project tagging Smallmouth Bass on Lake Sharpe
- Assist with acoustic telemetry project evaluating fish use around introduced habitat structures
- Assist with capturing and tagging Paddlefish to estimate population size
- Lead crews conducting fish population surveys on small impoundments
- Boat/gear maintenance
- Angler use surveys
- AIS inspections
- Ageing fish via otoliths
- Data management for projects
- Assisting with writing manuscripts for publication
- Developing presentations for professional meetings
- Assist with other areas within GFP including Law Enforcement, Terrestrial Habitat and Access, and Terrestrial Wildlife crews.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Intern
Industry
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
