Conservation Intern

Position Title - Conservation Intern – Limited Term Employee (LTE)

Maximum 1199 Hours

Summary This internship position provides technical support related to soil and water conservation through means such as promoting soil health, agricultural engineering, GIS mapping, and community education and outreach. The projects completed in this internship will usher compliance with county ordinances to protect and enhance Ozaukee County’s Soil and Water Resources.

Employment period is between May – August 2026 at a pay rate of $17.53/hour. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Assist the Land and Water Staff in performing topographic surveys using GPS/Transit survey equipment for projects related to conservation, such as grassed waterways, animal waste control, erosion control, etc. Also, use Survey Equipment to stakeout projects prior to construction, and collect documentation throughout the construction process to ensure specs. and standards are met.

• Assist with mapping features within Ozaukee County using ArcGIS. Projects will include maps of farm fields that include but are not limited to the following attributes: Name, field name, acres, crop year, identified crop, cover crop, etc. Data collection may be required in this project via field spot-checks.

• Assist with agricultural research at the County’s HWY 57 Demonstration Plot. This project will consist of the planting of cover crops, corn, soybean and wheat crops, monitoring, harvesting and data collection. Soil Temperature readings, photographs, and notes will need to be taken weekly, if not daily.

• Assist with calibration, and use of county rental equipment: Tractor/Interseeder, Airseeder, Crimper.

Attend and assist with the setup, presentation and cleanup of community education events such as field days, workshops, and the Plot Day held at the HWY 57 Demonstration Plot alongside The Clean Farm Families Producer-Led Watershed Group and Ozaukee County Demo Farm Network.

• Assist staff with collection of water samples from local streams following the Water Action Volunteer protocol and the Poseidon Pellet research plot.

Extracurricular:

Outside of these duties already listed, there may be opportunities to assist and shadow the Zoning and Sanitation staff, as well as the Planning and Parks Dept’s Fish Passage Program. A summer project of the Intern’s choosing will be assigned.

Education/ Skills Required Applicant must possess or be pursuing a degree in natural resources or other related environmental fields. Computer skills, the ability to navigate and understand maps (aerial, soil, and topography) is required. Experience, either hands-on or in class, in ArcGIS, GPS and agriculture is desired.

Applicant must have the ability to work with limited supervision and establish priorities to complete tasks given to them. They must be reliable and have the ability to stay on task. Indoor and outdoor work is required, and infrequent heavy lifting may be included when working with the tractor and interseeder.

**Possession of a valid Driver’s License is required**

Ozaukee County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For consideration, your application must be submitted by March 20, 2026

Successes

After completing this internship, one will have gained experience in coordinating and working with Governmental agencies like MMSD, NRCS, DATCP and Misc. Departments within Ozaukee County; additionally, one will be building relationships within the agricultural community they serve, and help support a brighter future for the land and water resources of Ozaukee County.

Ozaukee County offers a generous benefits package including: health, dental, life, & vision insurance; free employee health clinic & Teladoc; paid holidays, vacation, & sick time; state of Wisconsin WRS defined benefit pension program; bonus opportunities; employee fitness room; wellness program & wellness reimbursement; tuition reimbursement & continuing education opportunities; and more! Please note some that benefits offered are dependent on full-time/part-time status.

Ozaukee County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, disability, genetics, veteran status or military service, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state or local laws. Ozaukee County also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.