Scenic Rivers Intern

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) seeks a Scenic River Intern to assist with the OEC’s Scenic River work. The Intern will work with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Central Ohio to assist in holding Stream Quality Monitoring (SQM) training, presenting at SQM / Scenic Rivers public programming, collecting data on Scenic Rivers, and performing invasive species management as needed. The internship will last a total of 10 weeks and start between April 22, 2024 and May 1, 2024.

Responsibilities:

The intern will report directly to Christine Szymanski and will work out of the ODNR office located in Columbus, OH (2045 Morse Road, Building H-3, Columbus OH 43229) and perform the following:

• Assist Scenic River Coordinators to plan and implement Stream Quality Monitoring (SQM) trainings
• Collect data using SQM on streams around the state 
• Assist with invasive species management 
• Trash cleanups 
• Create blogs for the newsletter highlighting the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program
• Capture photos of programming, the rivers, and the stream life for use in ODNR outreach materials
• Assist with other Scenic Rivers regional work if scheduling allows

Qualifications:

• Biology background in aquatic entomology and knowledge of macroinvertebrates preferred but not required 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Self-motivated and flexible 
• Detail-oriented
• Access to a car for travel

Hours and Compensation 

The Intern will be paid $15 per hour and will work at least 10 hours per week. The schedule will be flexible depending on the Intern’s availability and agency needs. Extension of the internship at reduced hours may be possible. 

More about the OEC and our team

At the Ohio Environmental Council, we work for clean air and water, clean energy, and protected public lands. We hold polluters accountable in court while working with communities and companies that want to invest in a clean, more sustainable direction. For over 50 years, we have led many of the major environmental policy wins in Ohio. Please visit the OEC’s website to learn more about our vision, values, and work.

Our team is made up of 27 staff, 19 board members, and a number of interns and volunteers who come from a variety of backgrounds, including state government, social justice and environmental organizations, law firms, and from all corners of the state. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming place for people from all backgrounds, including women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and all religious backgrounds. 

The Ohio Environmental Council is committed to working toward a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environmental movement, and seeks to hire staff and contractors that reflect the diverse communities and perspectives that comprise Ohio. The OEC is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply 

Send your resume to Careers@theOEC.org with “Scenic Rivers Intern” in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply for this position is by the close of business on March 15th.