Department of Civil Service

Description:

This position will fulfill field water quality sampling needs for the NYSDEC's Stream Monitoring and Assessment Section in Albany, NY. Field and lab work will focus on collecting and processing water quality information related to statewide water quality monitoring projects. Additional office and outreach work will also be included in the responsibilities of this internship.
* Collect benthic macroinvertebrates, fish (electrofishing with a backpack shocker), and/or diatoms from rivers and streams in multiple drainage basins of New York State
* Collect water samples for chemical analysis
* Collect physical and chemical parameters such as habitat assessment measurements, pebble counts, and field water quality parameters
* Process samples, including logging new samples, sorting and identification of benthic macroinvertebrates, splitting and shipping water samples, data entry including various types of field data
* Prepare field sampling equipment
* Calibrate and maintain multi-probe meters used for collection of field water quality parameters
* Prepare sections of water quality reports, such as species lists or maps
* Complete a short report (2-4 pages) about their experience that can help guide others in pursuit of a meaningful internship as well as help the Department evaluate its intern program.
* Conduct oneself in a professional manner that reflects positively on SUNY ESF and the Department.

Skills:

MS Office, including MS Excel

Collecting field water quality samples

Organized and thorough

Knowledge of freshwater ecosystems

Water quality management

Internship Areas: Environmental Conservation, Scientific Research