Citizen Science Development Internship
For more information: Contact Lydia@crwc.org
CRWC Office Address: 1115 W. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48309
Deadline for a letter of support from CRWC: January 24th, 2025
Deadline for application to Michigan Sea Grant Undergrad Internship Application: January 31st, 2025
INTERNSHIP LENGTH:
Mid-May 2025 – Mid-August 2025
Full time, up to 40 hours a week.
The start and end dates in May and August are negotiable to suit interns’ availability. Interns will be expected to work during the day, in person at the CRWC office. CRWC’s normal hours are M-F 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
COMPENSATION:
Intern will be compensated $9,000 over three months, via stipend paid out once a month during the summer through the University of Michigan Financial Aid office on behalf of Michigan Sea Grant.
INTERNS WILL GAIN:
This role will allow the intern to gain experience with water quality monitoring while providing a different perspective of citizen science programs, overall contributing to better understanding the health of the Clinton River watershed. This role will also allow the intern to gain experience with a variety of field work opportunities, such as macroinvertebrate collection and road-stream crossing surveys, experience with data management, and networking opportunities.
DESCRIPTION OF INTERNSHIP:
The Clinton River Watershed Council is seeking an intern to assist in expanding our volunteer stream monitoring programs, Adopt-A-Stream and Lake Erie Volunteer Science Network (LEVSN). Adopt-A-Stream is a volunteer-based initiative that empowers community members to protect local streams and rivers by monitoring water quality through macroinvertebrates. LEVSN is a regional program recently adopted by CRWC that empowers community members to gather, share, and interact with water quality data to support the conservation and enhancement of the Great Lakes. The role will assist with data management for the Adopt-A-Stream program, including identifying macroinvertebrates, water quality data analysis, and integrating historical data into an updated format to ensure consistency and accessibility. Throughout the summer, the intern will conduct the monthly water quality monitoring for LEVSN and develop a procedure based on their field experiences for volunteers to follow. Utilizing information gained from monitoring experiences and best management practices, the intern will also assist in developing an outreach plan for recruiting volunteers and sharing data collected. The intern will also be asked to analyze existing monitoring sites and research potential new sites for Adopt-A-Stream and LEVSN to identify any gaps in data across the watershed and ensure safe public access.
QUALIFICATIONS & DESIRED SKILLS:
Interns must be 18 years or older and working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in education, biology, environmental science, ecology, natural resources, or related field. Students from any accredited college or university in Michigan are eligible to apply.
Candidates should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to explain concepts to different audiences.
Candidates should have the ability to work independently and cooperatively, as well as in reasonable all-weather conditions.
Candidates should have a working understanding of word processing software, such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Candidates should have strong organizational skills and creative problem-solving skills.
Prior knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, ArcGIS online, and experience with citizen science programs are all highly desirable in a candidate but are not required.
ABOUT CRWC:
Located in Rochester Hills, MI, and serving the entirety of the Clinton River watershed, the Clinton River Watershed Council’s mission is to protect, enhance, and celebrate the Clinton River, its watershed, and Lake St. Clair for the benefit of communities, the environment, and our future. For 50 years, CRWC has worked to improve watershed management practices alongside local municipalities, provide educational programming for communities and children of all ages, and work to restore and enhance the Clinton River to become a place folks want to work, live and play.
APPLICATION:
Send a copy of your resume and cover letter to us at Lydia@crwc.org