Structure Operations Field Services Intern (9024)

Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Operations Bureau

This is your chance to perform trades and general maintenance of water control structures throughout the District. You will be responsible for all aspects of water control structure maintenance including routine inspection, troubleshooting, repair, and replacement of components. In joining our team, you’ll play an important role in enhancing the results to ensure a brighter future for the environment of Florida. This internship opportunity is not eligible for remote work.

For helping to maintain our valuable water resources as a student, we offer:

Compensation: $16.00

Essential Functions

This position supports the District's core Flood Control Mission by maintaining, operating, and repairing flood control structures. The majority of work will be under the direction of a coworker or supervisor. An excellent "team player" attitude is required to succeed at this position.

Routine structure maintenance/operations:

• Assist office staff with digital file management
• Clearing debris from structures.
• Cleans structure control rooms, gates, actuators, and concrete.
• Sandblasting and painting.

Performs routine structure operations duties:

• Prepares, index and name files for record retention according to SOP
• Troubleshoots minor operating problems and repairs or reports to supervisor as appropriate.
• Operates water control structures as needed.
• Maintains tools and equipment in a safe and orderly fashion.
• Uses District work order software.
• Participates in safety training programs.

Working Conditions

The District has 84 water control structures throughout our 16-county area. Two-person teams perform maintenance and repair duties. Most work is conducted in the field, frequently at remote and undeveloped sites. This is physically demanding outdoor work in sun, heat, cold, humidity, wind & rain. Duties routinely require lifting, moving objects up to 100 pounds, shoveling dirt and rocks, climbing ladders, working on top of structures (up to about 30'), working from a "high-lift," working from a small boat, wading, and other types of field labor. Possible contact with wildlife (alligators, snakes and all types of small animals). Position requires the ability to master hand tools, power tools, and equipment needed to maintain and repair water control structures and sites. Incumbent works under supervision of a Lead/Senior Trades worker. Position requires frequent travel during the work day. The District provides training opportunities to achieve additional skills relevant to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Credentials for Structure Operations Student Intern Opportunity

• Be at least part-time and currently enrolled in high school, an accredited college, university, or other recognized educational or vocational program
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students or minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate students
• Upload Unofficial Transcript to application or profile
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Credentials for Structure Operations Student Intern Opportunity

• Mechanical ability
• Experience working on or near open water
• Experience with digital and hardcopy record management, file sorting, Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, etc.

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, a District employment application. Any application that is not complete will not receive consideration for the position. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the information requested on the application for purposes of qualification.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work no more than 25 hours per week out of the Brooksville, FL office. Work will be conducted inside of the office for enhanced learning opportunities.

Travel Required

Yes. Frequent travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until January 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

About Us

The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Apply Now

Start and grow your career with the District! The District prides itself on providing a positive work environment that engages and supports our employees through flexible and remote work schedules. We provide and support learning and development for staff at all levels including conferences, association memberships, and formal education. Let us know if you have previous public sector experience that may allow for additional perks! Click on the link to apply.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.