Water Resource Intern - Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Water Resources Program

Length: Term of positions is 26 weeks; full-time 40 hours per week 

Location: Cass Lake, Minnesota  

Living Allowance: $600/week 

AmeriCorps Award: Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $3,447.50 (pre-tax).  

Start Date:  Early to Mid-May (Flexible) 

Application Due Date: Preference given to applicants that submit application by 3/31/2024 

Title of Position: Water Resource Intern 

Position Details: 

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, Tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management, is seeking a WaterCorps intern that will primarily be assisting field crews from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Water Resources Program in their mission to monitor the water quality of lakes and streams of the Leech Lake Reservation to ensure they are meeting the Band's water quality standards for waterbody beneficial uses. 

Position Responsibilities will include: 

• Water Quality Monitoring through water sampling 
• Culvert Assessments 
• Wetland and ecosystem health assessments 
• Other duties as assigned 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Must possess a valid drivers license with good driving record 
• Willing to undergo and pass a required criminal history checks.  
• A strong interest in a career in natural resource conservation science.   
• You must be eligible to serve in AmeriCorps State & National Direct Service programs (must not have served more than 4 terms in AmeriCorps). 
• You must be available to work a 40-hour week for the 26-week term 
• You must be between 18 and 34 years of age. 
• You must have received a High School Diploma or GED  
• You must be a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions: 
  • Persons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes Indigenous to the United States. 
  •  Descendants of Members of Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities who were residing on any Indian Reservation on June 1, 1934 – shown by completing BIA Form 4432. 111

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Knowledge of Water quality sampling equipment. 
• Able to trailer or learn to trailer and operate a boat. 
• Good oral and written communication as well as customer service skills. 

Benefits:  

• Living Allowance: $600/week (pre-tax) 
• Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $3,447.50 (pre-tax). 
• Student loan forbearance and health insurance  
• Technical training provided includes: 
• Use of a multiparameter sonde 
• How to measure bankfull width of streams 
• Aquatic Plant Identification 
• Aquatic Habitat assessment 
• ArcGIS mapping training 

How to Apply: 
 In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. You must also upload a copy of your federally recognized tribal issued ID card.

If you have questions about this position, please contact Jeff Harper 218-252-2805 or Stewards Program Coordinator James Gasaway - jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org   

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.