Department of Civil Service

Description:

The NYSDEC Division of Water's Lake Monitoring and Assessment Section (LMAS) conducts a variety of programs to monitor, assess and report on the condition of New York's waters. The Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Program focus is to collect data on HABs, notify the public of bloom locations, educate people on the risks of contacting the blooms, and conduct research on the causes of HABs. The HABs Program intern will assist DEC staff in the collection of blooms samples, learn to identify common phytoplankton found in New York on a microscope, assist with data management, interpretation of lab results, and outreach efforts. During the summer months HABs response can at times be fast-paced, with weekly efforts culminating with an update to the HABs Program website every Friday. The intern will be engaged with all steps along the way and assist the Program coordinator with tasks including uploading data to a DEC Lakes database, updating the website with current bloom information, and responding to bloom reports around the Capitol District to potentially sample blooms. There will likely be opportunities to assist with field sampling and associated office work in support of the DEC lake monitoring program and other special projects related to water quality.

Desired Skills:
The successful candidate should be comfortable both on the water and in the office. Field duties will generally be in a canoe, kayak or small motor boat, in a variety of environmental conditions. The candidate should have a valid driver's license and the ability to work long days. Previous field experience and the ability to swim is a plus, as is experience with entering data into Microsoft Excel or relational databases, and experience with GIS software.

Skills:

Field work

Computers

GIS software

Internship Areas: Engineering, Environmental Conservation, Scientific Research