• Mussel Propagation Intern

    State of MinnesotaLake City, MN 55041

    Job #2816077860

  • Working Title: Mussel Propagation Intern

    Job Class: Intern

    Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

    • Job ID : 82771

    • Location : Lake City

    • Telework Eligible : No

    • Full/Part Time : Full-Time

    • Regular/Temporary : Intern

    • Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

    • Date Posted : 1/2/2025

    • Closing Date : 1/31/2025

    • Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

    • Division/Unit : Ecological & Water Resources

    • Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

    • Days of Work : Monday - Friday

    • Travel Required : Yes

    • Salary Range: $19/hour

    • Classified Status : Non-Status

    • Bargaining Unit/Union : 223 - Non-Employee/Unrepresented

    • FLSA Status : Nonexempt

    • Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (~~~/) : No

    The work you'll do is more than just a job.

    At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

    This position exists to assist with routine freshwater mussel and fish husbandry, aquarium system maintenance, and mussel propagation activities. Duties include extensive use of a microscope to remove zooplankton and other invertebrates from mussel culture tanks, counting and measuring juvenile mussels, and cleaning equipment relating to mussel propagation. Other duties include water quality monitoring; animal feeding, handling and health assessments; and record keeping for many species of fish and mussels. Additionally, this position may assist with experiments relating to laboratory rearing systems for mussels.

    This posting is intended to hire 1 intern for the 2025 season. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to the primary work site in Lake City. Housing is not provided for these internships.

    This position is a set duration 06/02/2025 - 08/29/2025 - However the start and end dates may be flexible to accommodate class schedules. Weekly work schedule could vary depending on weather and river conditions.

    Minimum Qualifications

    To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

    1. You must be a student at an accredited educational institution.

    2. Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.

    AND

    • Majoring in one of the following: biology, natural resources, fisheries and wildlife, recreation resource management, ecology, or environmental science. If you are unsure if your major qualifies, please contact us.

    • Ability to follow directions and work independently and well as part of a team.

    • Ability to work at a microscope in a laboratory for extended periods of time.

    • Ability to snorkel in streams and work in a wide range of field conditions (cold, wet, mud, bugs, etc.).

    • Excellent human relation and communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.

    Preferred Qualifications

    • Excellent record keeping and organization skills.

    • Experience caring for aquatic animals.

    • Experience working with dissecting or compound microscopes.

    • Experience trailing, backing, and operating boats.

    • SCUBA certification.

    Additional Requirements

    This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver's license with a clear driving record.

    Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

    In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

    • Conflict of Interest Review

    • Criminal History Check

    • Education Verification

    • Employment Reference / Records Check

    • License / Certification Verification

    AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

    Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

    Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at ~~~ or email ~~~ . Please indicate what assistance is needed.