Job description

Assist Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation field staff on all aspects of on-going field projects related to habitat and property management on State Natural Areas throughout Wisconsin State Natural Areas | Wisconsin DNR.  This work includes but is not limited to invasive species control, habitat restoration and management, plant and animal inventories and monitoring, fencing and boundary marking, and trails and infrastructure maintenance. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know several State Natural Areas, as well as to learn, identify, and manage some of the rarest habitats and associated species remaining in Wisconsin!

Please Note: To be eligible for this internship, the applicant needs to be enrolled as a student for the summer of 2025 at a UW school.

Locations:

Bong Rec Area/Kansasville (1 intern)

Hourly rate

$16/hour

Duration

Up to 480 hours (approximately 10-12 weeks) total for each internship depending on field office, funding availability, and your university’s internship policy.  All internships will occur approximately between May 19 and August 29, 2025.  

Desired qualifications

Students must be working toward a bachelor’s degree in botany, wildlife ecology, biology, or related natural resources field.  Interest in ecological restoration, knowledge of Wisconsin’s rare natural communities and their associated native and invasive species especially related to remnant prairies and oak savannas, is desired.  Other desired experience includes controlling invasive species, plant identification, herbicide use, use of power brush cutters and chainsaws, and operation of all-terrain vehicles and 4-wheel drive trucks.  

Must have effective written and verbal skills to communicate with project leaders and co-workers. Interns are responsible for their travel to assigned workstation each workday.  Must have reliable transportation. Sturdy work boots and work clothing including sun and rain protection are required.  All tools and personal protective equipment will be provided.

Must have ability to travel throughout assigned work area and on occasion work irregular hours, evenings, overnights, or weekends as needed.  A willingness to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions, performing physically demanding work daily is required.

Safety and Risk Information

• Intern housing will not be offered for 2025.
• Interns must have reliable transportation and may be required to drive themselves to work sites throughout the duration of the internship.
• The department will provide all necessary PPE (gloves, eye protection, rubber boots, sanitizer, disinfectant) for ensuring personal and workplace safety.