Aquatic Program Administration Intern (1 Position) 

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources   

Description  

The Aquatic Program Administration Intern is a paid position that gives undergraduate students practical experience and hands-on education through a variety of work with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). The successful applicant will work alongside DWR aquatic program coordinators and other natural resource professionals who oversee and manage the agency’s statewide sportfish and native fish programs, state fish hatcheries, protected amphibians and reptiles, and more. They will gain insights into the administrative processes required to ensure that Utah’s evolving landscape sustains diverse and healthy fish populations for future generations.  

Learn more about the DWR’s aquatic programs and becoming part of #TeamWildlife by visiting our blog, podcast, and youtube channel.

Duties:

• Assist biologists with fishery surveys using equipment like boats, rafts, backpack electrofishing equipment; gill nets, trap nets and seines
• Assist biologists with herpetological and mollusk surveys
• Assist in the development of angler survey tools using ArcGIS Survey123
• Work with regional personnel to install reservoir fish habitat structures
• Assist with federal grant writing for Fish and Wildlife Service sport fish and boater access programs as well as grants for funding of aquatic invasive species projects
• Enter data into existing databases to bolster archival datasets and aid statewide management and conservation efforts
• Assist coordinators with drafting statewide plan documents
• Assist coordinators with development presentations for public meetings
• Work with the DWR Outreach Section on social media posts or blog posts that highlight the work accomplished by the Aquatic Section
• Consolidate and provide analyses of angler, boater, and aquatic species data so that data can be used in statewide planning efforts. Examples of analyses could include mapping species data using ArcGIS or evaluating fish trends using software packages such as R
• Consolidate and synthesize statewide springsnail data into a database
• Help identify ways that internal processes such as the approval of fish stocking could be streamlined and automated
• Assist DWR staff with the the planning and facilitation of staff and public meetings that discuss species planning efforts or fishing regulation changes

Qualifications:

Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at USU’s S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (QCANR).  Applicants must have a general knowledge of fisheries biology and an interest in pursuing a career in fisheries-related natural resource conservation.  Applicants must be quick-learners and have a willingness to develop the skills needed to safely perform a wide-variety of work.  Individuals who demonstrate that they are hardworking, driven and a motivated team member are preferred.

A valid driver's license is required.

Successful applicants will be expected to conduct indoor work with the risks found in a typical office setting. If the applicant is interested, there could also be opportunities to perform outdoor work in variable weather and terrain for extended periods, including walking, hiking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and occasional lifting of items weighing up to 50 pounds.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position, which may involve irregular hours, including evenings and some work on weekends. There may be some travel in-state to help with wildlife management activities like fisheries surveys, which may result in overnight travel. The DWR will cover expenses related to any required travel and a motorpool vehicle will be available for travel to other areas of Utah when on assignment (e.g., when assisting biologists with field work).  A typical work week includes four 10 hour days (Monday through Thursday) that start at 7:00 AM. Work locations will vary, with teleworking capabilities and regular virtual checkins or face-to-face checkins at the Salt Lake City DNR office. Some physical presence in the Salt Lake City DNR office will be required depending on work items.

People and Culture Expectation: 

The successful applicants will be expected to uphold the DWR’s values of integrity, professionalism, accountability, teamwork and cooperation. The behaviors they embrace should set an example of professional and personal respect. The interns will be expected to actively promote a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, as well as make good faith efforts to understand people as unique individuals with diverse life experiences, challenges and opportunities.

Credits/Honors:

Successful applicants must enroll in NR 4151 for one (1) credit during the second 7-week session of the Spring 2026 semester, and in NR 4152 during the first 7-week session of the Fall 2026 semester. Additionally, successful applicants may enroll for up to three (3) credit hours during the summer internship. Participants in the Honors Program may enroll for points instead. Students will work with a USU advisor during the internship to develop and complete an academic assignment.

Salary: $18/hour (40 hrs/week) 

Location: Base of operations at the DWR’s Administrative Headquarters located in Salt Lake City.

Number of Openings: 1 

Closing Date: midnight February 9, 2026

Employment Dates: Flexible; not to exceed 480 hours over 12 weeks between early May and the end of August, 2026.

Housing: Not provided 

Apply to the QCNR summer internship program here. 

 

For more information, contact: 

Craig Walker, Assistant Chief of Sport Fisheries
Salt Lake Office Aquatics Section| Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
craigwalker@utah.gov