Lake Sturgeon Streamside Rearing Facility Summer Intern (@ Riveredge Nature Center)
Lake Sturgeon Streamside Rearing Facility Summer Intern @ Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg, WI - shared by Jobs That Help as a third party
Job Type Details: Paid Part Time Seasonal Internship
Located just 35 miles north of Milwaukee in the town of Saukville, Riveredge Nature Center (RNC) is one of the oldest and largest nature centers in southeastern Wisconsin. Its 450 acres include: over 10 miles of trails, 37 acres of prairie establishments, forests, ponds, wetlands and 1½ miles of scenic views along the Milwaukee River.
The mission of Riveredge Nature Center is to inspire, inform and enable responsible environmental decision-making and sustainable practices by: providing leadership in education; preserving and restoring Riveredge and other natural sanctuaries; and serving as a resource for scientific research.
Lake Sturgeon Reintroduction Project Description
Lake sturgeon are the oldest and largest native fish found in the Great Lakes ecosystem. They were extirpated from the Milwaukee River over 100 years ago. Starting in 2006, Riveredge Nature Center teamed up with the Wisconsin DNR to reintroduce sturgeon by raising fingerlings in a streamside rearing facility (SRF) located on our property. This facility enables the sturgeon to imprint on Milwaukee River water so they return to it to spawn when they are adults. The goal of this project is to raise 1,000 – 1,500 fish per year over 25 years which will provide enough mature adults to support a breeding population of lake sturgeon in the river in the future.
Position Description
- Responsible for the health and well-being of roughly 1500 fry/fingerling lake sturgeon including overall operations of the streamside rearing facility (SRF), cleaning the raceways, feeding the lake sturgeon and applying therapeutic treatments. (25%)
- Work cooperatively with teams of volunteers to maintain the SRF and fish. (15%)
- Liaison between Riveredge Nature Center and the Department of Natural Resources on the status of the fish and streamside rearing facility. (5%)
- Help with sturgeon related projects, programs, and events that may fall outside of the primary duties of this position description or other duties as assigned. (5%)
Preferred Qualifications: Must be…
- A college junior or older with completed coursework in environmental sciences or natural resources
- Self-directed with the ability to work independently and troubleshoot problems if they arise
- Able to work as a member of a team made up of a diverse group of people of all ages & abilities
- Available to work a split shift consisting of 2-4 hours per day several days per week (including most weekends), starting at 9:00 AM
- Good communicator, punctual, creative, enthusiastic and energetic
- Able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and able to perform various strenuous tasks
- Own a car and are able to drive
Compensation & Working Conditions
The Lake Sturgeon Streamside Rearing Facility Intern will work as scheduled approximately 2 to 4 hours per day several days per week (including most weekends) and will receive $11 per hour. This is a seasonal position beginning in May lasting until the end of September (or as agreed upon). Housing may be available nearby.