About HRWC

The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) a nonprofit, non-partisan coalition of watershed residents, businesses, and local governments is Michigan’s oldest regional river protection organization. We aim to protect and restore the river for healthy and vibrant communities. We work with a collaborative and inclusive spirit to give all partners the opportunity to become stewards; generate science-based, trustworthy information for decision-makers to ensure reliable supplies of clean water and resilient natural systems; and passionately advocate for the health of the river and the lands around it.  

We all need a healthy environment to live and thrive. HRWC commits to upholding intersectionality and anti-racism as foundations for our efforts for the Huron River and its communities. We advance equitable river-friendly policies and programs that ensure all communities can access, benefit from, and enjoy a healthy environment and river. Learn more about our history and organizational values here.

HRWC aspires to an open and inclusive culture through our commitment to diversity within the workplace. We prohibit discrimination against volunteers, clients, and applicants based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental handicap/disability, social economic class, ethical values, and/or political beliefs.

Internships

Focus: field-based water quality monitoring and public education

Applications will be accepted from January through April.

HRWC’s summer aquatic field internship program is primarily intended for undergraduates and those with little to no professional experience. High school and graduate students, as well as early career professionals, are also more than welcome. The opportunity focuses exclusively on the experience of field-based water quality monitoring and public education in the context of a well-rounded internship experience. Interns will visit numerous field locations, in a number of local tributaries to the Huron River, collecting data about benthic macroinvertebrates, in stream and near stream habitat, and water quality parameters such as volumetric flow. All interns will work on HRWC’s education program, teaching area residents and students about water quality and water quality testing, including our summer youth snorkeling program and stormdrain awareness campaign. Interns will also participate in green infrastructure evaluation and maintenance. On occasion, interns may be asked to utilize existing abilities/skillsets to assist HRWC staff with general program upkeep tasks such as GIS mapping, Human Relations, Volunteer Management, Development and Membership, Landscape Architecture, etc. Internships run full summer or half summer, 2-4 days per week (including Tuesdays).

Responsibilities

  • Consistently utilize proper work methods
  • Safely travel to field sites and conduct field data collection
  • Keep equipment in working order
  • Communicate effectively with general public and supervisors
  • Assist supervisors on other projects as needed

Qualifications

  • Background and/or strong interest in water quality monitoring and/or a career in environmental science
  • Demonstrated ability to work well in a team setting
  • Attention to detail such as data management
  • Fluent in Microsoft Office suite and Google documents and maps

Value

  • Wide array of experience in field monitoring and data collection and public education
  • Learning from network of interns and staff on a daily basis
  • Access to network of water quality professionals
  • Mileage reimbursement for any driving at the federal rate
  • $10 per day stipend provided to offset incidental costs associated with day-to-day work

Requirements

  • Consistently work from 9:00am-2:00pm, 2-4 days per week, including Tuesdays
  • Must be able to work in physically challenging, outdoor locations during the heat of the summer
  • Ability to drive, or willingness to carpool, throughout the watershed, up to 30 minutes each direction
  • Sign and date Field Internship position agreement including a liability waiver
  • Completion of a background check (a prior record will not necessarily prohibit applicants from participating in the internship program)

Please complete this application form. You will be asked to upload your resume on the form.

Applications will be accepted from January through April, at which time an informational interview will be conducted.

Questions may be directed to Jason Frenzel.

Jobs

There are currently no open positions. Please check back again in the future.

Volunteer Positions

Do you take your camera with you everywhere you go? Are you constantly capturing moments before they slip away? If you don’t mind getting close to people having fun recreating on or along the Huron River or at local venues then this job is right for you. You may be asked to shoot people and locations both in nature and in the five Trail Towns of the Huron River Water Trail (Milford, Dexter, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Flat Rock) or go to specific cultural or HRWC events. Photography skills are required. All applicants must submit a portfolio of 5-10 pictures they have taken. Time commitment: 20 hours May-September, flexible dates/times.

To express your interest, email Pam Labadie with the following:

  • First and last name and cell phone number;
  • Your experience with photography and DSLR equipment;
  • Why you want to help;
  • What river-recreational activities you are involved in
  • AND MOST IMPORTANT a link to an online “portfolio” (Flickr, Tumblr, BlogSpot, etc.) of 5-10 images that demonstrate both technical skill and the ability to shoot events. We would like to see photographs with people, emotions, and action and iconic events/urban locations.

Ongoing volunteer opportunities and events
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