Structure Operations Student Intern

About the Opportunity

Help protect Florida’s water resources through an internship at the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The District is a government agency dedicated to protecting water resources, minimizing flood risks, and ensuring the public’s water needs are met across 16 counties.

This opportunity offers hands‑on experience in operation and maintenance of water control structures, canals, and dams. You will learn from engineers, data analysts, structure operators, and skilled trade workers.

$16.00 per hour (25 hours per week). This internship is not eligible for remote work.

• Assist Structure Operations staff in maintaining and operating 84 water‑control structures and 2 pump stations.
• Team up with office staff to complete work assignments, assist with historical document management and archiving.
• Use District work‑order software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Shadow and assist district engineers, operators, and trades workers in day‑to‑day tasks of structure operations, inspection and maintenance.
• Participate in safety training programs and other learning opportunities offered by the District.

Office work with occasional field duties. Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds in office and may need to lift up to 50 pounds in the field. Working environments include exposure to sun, heat, cold, humidity, wind, rain, and wildlife.

• Currently enrolled, at least part‑time, in an accredited college/university or recognized educational program studying civil, environmental engineering, environmental science, or a related field.
• Minimum GPA 2.5 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate).
• Upload unofficial transcript to application.
• Valid driver’s license.

• Some mechanical knowledge.
• Some experience working on or near open water.
• Experience with digital and hard‑copy record management, file sorting, Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, etc.

Frequent travel within the District’s coverage area using a District vehicle.

Accepting applications until May 22, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. The District will determine eligibility solely from the information provided on the District employment application. Resumes will not substitute for application information.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. 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. The District does not discriminate on the basis of disability and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. The District participates in E‑Verify and does not sponsor work visas.