Employer MN Department of Natural Resources Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills Job Summary *To Ensure Consideration You Must Follow The Instructions In The How To Apply Section Below.** The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission. This posting will be used to fill up to 57 internships in the following locations: Aitkin, Baudette, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, East Metro (Saint Paul), Fergus Falls, Finland, Glenwood, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, Hinckley, Hutchinson, International Falls, Lake City, Lanesboro, Little Falls, Mille Lacs (Garrison), Ortonville, Park Rapids, Sauk Rapids, Spicer, Tower, Walker, Waterville, and West Metro (Shakopee). These internships require the interns to do a variety of fisheries survey work as part of a crew. They also may be involved in various aspects of fisheries management, research, or hatchery operations at the local level. These positions require teamwork and communication skills. The internships will provide opportunities to learn about and help implement DNR fisheries resources investigational programs. The work can be physically demanding, including heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds) and difficult walking conditions. Field work may occur on soft and uneven ground and unstable muck, in waist-deep and/or flowing water, and in dense aquatic vegetation. Work sometimes occurs in inclement weather, heavy rain, and wind, and including hot summer days working without shade. Interns will be working in wet conditions frequently handling live and dead fish and other aquatic organisms, some with sharp teeth and spines including dissection of fish that are in varying degrees of decay. These positions may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Housing is not provided with any of these internships, but local staff can provide suggestions for where to locate temporary housing. These internships may require overnight travel. When traveling, lodging and transportation are provided, and the cost of meals will be reimbursed per contract. The anticipated dates for these positions are variable, depending on the location but are typically mid-May through late August; positions may start in early May or not until early June, or could optionally extend into September at some locations. Some internships may require the intern to work four 10-hour days with frequent overnight travel. Primary emphases for each internship are: Fisheries assessment work on lakes and rivers involving gill net, trap net, seining, electrofishing, and habitat surveys at Aitkin, Baudette, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, East Metro (Saint Paul), Fergus Falls, Finland, Glenwood, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, Hinckley, Hutchinson, International Falls, Lake City, Lanesboro, Little Falls, Mille Lacs 2 (Garrison), Ortonville, Park Rapids, Sauk Rapids, Spicer, Tower, Walker, Waterville, and West Metro (Shakopee). Several locations will include work on lakes and/or streams where equipment must be portaged into including Duluth, Finland, Grand Marais, International Falls, and Tower. Fish Hatchery duties at Waterville, Spicer, and East Metro (Saint Paul) locations. Invasive carp survey and sampling work at East Metro (Saint Paul). Minimum Qualifications To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements: • You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND • Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship. AND • Majoring in one of the following areas: Biology, Natural Resources, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, Recreation Resource Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related degree. Please contact us if you are unsure if your major qualifies. • Ability to handle live and dead fish. • Interpersonal skills to effectively interact and communicate in person and remotely with staff and a diverse customer base interested or involved in resource management. • Knowledge of personal computers and applications sufficient to complete data entry. • Skilled in attention to detail. Preferred Qualifications • Coursework in fisheries management, fisheries science, ichthyology, fisheries techniques, general ecology, aquatic ecology, limnology, natural resource management, or related courses with a grade of C- or better. • Experience identifying native fish species and aquatic plants using taxonomic keys. • Experience with GPS and Geographic Information System (GIS). • Safety, CPR, First Aid training, and boater education safety certification. • Experience trailering, backing, and operating boats. • Experience with outdoor field work, especially on water. • Experience handling live and dead fish. Additional Requirements This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record. Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status). It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: • Conflict of Interest Review • Criminal History Check • Education Verification • Employment Reference / Records Check • License / Certification VerificationHow to Apply Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers. Within your application, submit two attachments. In the ‘Resume’ attachment, include a copy of your resume. In the ‘Cover Letter’ attachment, include a copy of your academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). These two attachments must be in either .doc or .pdf format. If you have questions about this position, contact Brian Nerbonne at brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us or 651-259-5789. If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us. TO APPLY: 1. Go to mn.gov/careers and select “Search for Jobs” 2. In the External Applicants box, select “Search for jobs now” 3. Select “View all Jobs” 4. Filter by “Natural Resources Dept” and “Student Worker & Internships” 5. Choose the internships you are interested in 6. Click the “Apply for Job” button to submit your application Job Field: Fisheries Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location Detail: multiple Salary: $19 / Hourly Job Benefits: see official posting Application Deadline: Fri, 01/31/2025 - 12:00pm Link to Full Job Posting: http://www.mn.gov/careers
