Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Travel to playa lake restoration sites with Ducks Unlimited biologists and engineering staff.
Collect, document, and analyze field soil and site data.
Conduct elevational surveys using GPS and basic surveying equipment.
Evaluate hydrologic conditions, watershed characteristics, and drainage patterns.
Prepare project maps, site schematics, restoration recommendations, and supporting documentation.
Assist with sediment volume calculations, material estimates, and preliminary cost projections.
Document existing site conditions and restoration progress through field notes, photographs, and reports.
Support development of engineering and conservation project deliverables.
Communicate field findings and project needs with Ducks Unlimited staff and academic advisors.
Engage with Ducks Unlimited professionals for technical guidance, mentorship, and career development.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Learning Outcomes
Through this internship, students will gain experience and exposure to:
Wetland restoration and habitat conservation engineering practices.
Field-based project planning, assessment, and implementation.
Conservation partnerships and stakeholder engagement.
Application of civil, environmental, and geotechnical engineering principles to ecological restoration.
GPS mapping, elevation surveying, sediment measurement, and field data collection techniques.
GIS, AutoCAD, surveying, and hydrologic/hydraulic modeling tools including HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS.
Professional engineering practices within the conservation and natural resource management fields.
Required Qualifications
Education
Currently enrolled as a Junior or Senior pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Experience
Coursework or demonstrated interest in conservation, hydrology, ecological restoration, water resources, or nature-based engineering solutions.
Licenses/Certifications
Valid driver's license preferred.
Ability to travel with Ducks Unlimited staff to project sites.
Additional Requirements
Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather and field conditions.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with GIS, AutoCAD, or similar engineering software.
Familiarity with surveying equipment and field data collection.
Interest in conservation engineering, habitat restoration, or water resource management.
Previous internship, research, or field experience related to engineering or natural resources.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Basic understanding of engineering principles and practices.
Ability to collect, organize, and analyze field data.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to prepare technical documentation and project summaries.
Willingness to learn and apply engineering concepts in a field-based conservation environment.
Ability to safely work in outdoor environments and travel as required.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions.
Ability to walk on uneven terrain and access remote project locations.
Ability to lift and carry field equipment and materials up to 30 pounds.
Ability to operate GPS and basic surveying equipment.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Travel Requirements
Estimated Percentage of Travel: Up to 50%
Type of Travel: Day trips with occasional extended travel throughout the Texas Panhandle.
Valid Driver's License Required: Preferred
Fieldwork will generally occur within 60 miles of Lubbock; however, projects may be located throughout the Texas Panhandle. Travel with Ducks Unlimited staff to field sites is required.
Salary
Rate of Pay: $20.00 per hour
Work Schedule: Maximum of 20 hours per week during the internship period.
Internship Duration: Spring 2027 Semester (approximately January 18, 2027 through May 1, 2027), with potential extension through Summer 2027 and Fall 2027 semesters.
Miscellaneous Information
Academic Credit: Students should consult with their home university to determine whether this internship qualifies for academic credit. Coordination with an academic advisor may be required to ensure appropriate enrollment and credit documentation.
Application Requirements: Applications accepted only through the Ducks Unlimited ADP Job Board and must include:
Cover Letter
Resume
Academic Reference Contact
Closing Date: Open until a suitable applicant pool has been identified.
DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.