Environmental Resource Permit Student Intern (9016

Work for Our Water Resources

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Support the District’s ERP Bureau managing multiple tasks and priorities in fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment. As a Student Intern you will work alongside professional engineers in the ERP Evaluation and Compliance Section to help safeguard Florida’s wetlands, waterways, and natural systems. You’ll get hands‑on experience investigating real‑world permitting and compliance activities—digging into records, reviewing project applications, and helping craft official correspondence. You’ll head into the field for construction site visits, check whether projects meet permit conditions, and see firsthand how environmental regulations shape what gets built in our region.

This role is perfect for students who want meaningful, impactful work that blends environmental science, engineering, policy, and fieldwork. You won’t just observe—you’ll contribute to important efforts that keep Florida’s water resources protected.

$16.00 per hour

• Training and Development:
  Having a successful career takes more than technical training. The District helps our staff develop additional skill sets, such as emotional intelligence, time management, customer service, conflict resolution, communications and more. As an intern, you are eligible to attend these on‑site trainings.
• Employee Assistance Program:
  Provides confidential assistance and support in a wide variety of areas important to an employee’s well‑being, including but not limited to work and life balance, stress management, coping with family issues, financial advice, legal and workplace problems, addictions, student loan assistance and any other personal issues adversely affecting quality of life.
• Wellness Program:
  Your Health Matters is designed to encourage employees to engage in healthier lifestyle behaviors through the achievement of health and fitness goals. The program includes classes on health and fitness topics, District campus walking routes, a fitness challenge, tobacco‑cessation resources, an ergonomics program, discount programs, incentives and other resources. Participation in wellness program activities is voluntary.

• Conduct investigations into water‑resource permitting and compliance activities, gaining exposure to how the District evaluates environmental impacts and regulatory requirements.
• Research and analyze files of record, including historical permits, engineering plans, compliance reports, and related documentation.
• Review permit applications to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with environmental and regulatory standards.
• Generate professional correspondence such as review letters, follow‑up requests, and internal summaries used by engineers and compliance staff.
• Participate in construction inspection site visits to observe field conditions, document project progress, and compare observed work with permitted plans.
• Verify permit compliance by helping assess whether construction activities meet required environmental protection measures.
• Perform additional support functions as needed to help the ERP Evaluation and Compliance team achieve its project and regulatory goals.

Employee works in a standard office environment. Occasional travel usually during the workday may be required. Performs continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding) with one or both hands. Occasionally lifts and carries objects up to 10 pounds. Occasionally requires bending and reaching above shoulder level. May spend time out in the field in remote areas. Possible travel to other offices. Occasionally required to drive automotive vehicle for 2 hours or more at a time.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable…