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 Lake Classification and Inventory Program collects data on lakes throughout the state to support water quality assessments and management activities. The Lake Water Quality Monitoring intern will assist DEC staff in the collection of water quality samples from lakes. Specifically, the intern will be tasked with collecting near shore samples and information related to Harmful Algal Blooms and aquatic plants/macrophytes. The intern will also assist the collection of standard limnological parameters in program lakes, and will assist with the preparation of sample bottles, coolers and water sampling equipment. In addition, the intern will assist in data input and may have the opportunity to assist in GIS based watershed analysis.

The intern would also assist in data collection and field processing of samples for a special study looking at nutrient levels in a few lakes, using standardized field equipment and sampling techniques. The intern would also collect many sounding (sonar) samples to determine lake depths and develop lake contour maps. For all projects, the intern will work with other LMAS staff to conduct this study through both day and overnight trips, using both canoes and small motor boats, and transport samples to UPS offices for immediate shipment to study laboratories. The study will also involve inputting the field and laboratory data into the DEC database, and into programs used to create these bottom contour maps.

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. This internship may also require overnight travel with other LMAS staff.

Skills:

Field work

Computers

GIS softwear

Internship Areas: Engineering, Environmental Conservation, Scientific Research