Intern - Surface Water Management; Freshwater Ecology - Seasonal

Intern - Surface Water Management (Freshwater Ecology) - Seasonal

Salary

$20.77 Hourly

Location

Everett, WA

Job Type

Internship

Job Number

2026-SEAS-FEB

Department

Dept of Conservation & Nat Resources

Division

Surface Water Mgmt

Opening Date

02/13/2026

Closing Date

3/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

* Description

* Benefits

* Questions

Description

Make Your Summer Count:
Freshwater Ecology Internship with Snohomish County!

Looking for an internship that gets you outdoors, builds your science skills, and makes a real impact? Join Snohomish County's Surface Water Management team as a Freshwater Ecology Intern! We're hiring two motivated college students (junior or above) for an 8-12 week paid internship starting in May or June.

Why You'll Love This Internship

* Hands-on experience in freshwater science-no sitting behind a desk all summer!

* Work alongside water resource professionals and learn real-world field and lab techniques.

* Build skills that look great on your resume and help launch your career.

What You'll Do

* Collect water samples from streams and lakes for chemical and nutrient testing.

* Measure stream habitat features like width, sediment, pools, and wood.

* Survey aquatic plants and collect biological samples (invertebrates, fish, zooplankton).

* Operate and maintain sampling equipment for pH, temperature, and conductivity.

* Help with data entry, analysis, and GIS mapping.

What We're Looking For

* Interest in freshwater science and how human activity impacts ecosystems.

* Comfortable working outdoors in all weather, on uneven terrain, and on boats.

* Team player with strong communication skills.

* Familiarity with Excel; GIS experience is a bonus.

Details

* Must commit to at least 8 weeks.

* To apply:

upload your resume and answer a few questions. Show us how your skills match what we're looking for!

Rate of pay is determined by the number of full academic years the applicant has completed at an accredited college or university by the beginning of the internship.

Candidates must be majoring or completed coursework in any of the following programs: environmental science/studies, civil engineering, watershed or water resource management, water quality, biology, chemistry, ecology, limnology, forestry, agriculture, botany, plant ecology, horticulture, environmental health, toxicology, environmental planning, geology, geomorphology, geography, GIS, communications, environmental education, marketing, or related field.

Proof of current enrollment in an accredited college or university at the time of participation. If not currently enrolled, the student must provide proof of future enrollment.

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

About Surface Water Management

SWM is a stormwater utility that provides services to unincorporated Snohomish County. These services are funded by service charges paid by property owners in the unincorporated county. SWM is the largest division in Snohomish County's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with an annual budget of $54.6 million.

SWM works in partnership with other local and regional agencies to improve Snohomish County now and for future generations. SWM provides a variety of programs and services for reducing road and property flooding and preserving and improving the health of Snohomish County's water resources and natural systems. We focus on four core areas of service:

* Drainage and road flooding

* Clean water in rivers, streams and lakes;

* Salmon and marine habitat; and

* River flooding

You can find us responding to water-quality problems and complaints, monitoring river levels during flood season, maintaining drainage systems, managing habitat improvement projects and more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to  Our 2024 Highlights report is available here.

About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

The Snohomish County…