If an aspiring student has a goal of working outdoors and would like a jump-start, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced a summer internship program.

The agency is looking to fill 200 summer internship opportunities, including those in fisheries, forestry, park operations, watercraft inspections, accounting, fisheries education, lake habitat restoration, Naturalist Corps, wildlife management, park operations, communications and many others.

The DNR said that prospective interns will work 20 to 40 hours per week and receive a competitive wage of $19 per hour.

To be considered for an internship, DNR Human Resources Specialist Lucas Schulze said: “The only shared requirement for our internships are that applicants must be a student at an accredited educational institution. As well, the internship must count for academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement.”

Schulze added that some students might have additional requirements depending on the nature and responsibilities of the internship. Applicants must pass a background check as a condition of the appointment.

The program is a great starting point for participants to learn more about natural resource careers while getting paid.

Schulze said DNR summer interns gain valuable training, build meaningful experience and help create a healthy, sustainable and inclusive Minnesota.

Interested individuals can review internship opportunities and apply online at the state of Minnesota careers website (mn.gov/careers) and select “Search for jobs” from the toolbar.

In the external applicants box, selecting “Search for jobs now,” then “View all jobs,” and filtering by “Natural Resources Dept” in the agency category and “Student Worker and Internships” in the job family category will display internship results.

If a student is interested in applying, they must submit an application by Jan. 31. The program will start in May and June of 2024.

Accommodations or alternative format of the applications are available by emailing ADAdiversity.DNR@state.mn.us; calling 651-259-5016; or by calling using a preferred telecommunications relay provider.

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