FARMS Program Student Intern (9035)

FARMS Student Intern Opportunity

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 FARMS Team

The FARMS Program is an agricultural best management practices (BMPs) cost-share reimbursement program that involves water conservation and water quality aspects. The successful candidate will assist FARMS Project Managers with activities associated with the FARMS Program and will be responsible for assisting with projects related to water resources and agricultural operations within the District. The FARMS Student Intern will be assigned general administrative and analytical work associated with the FARMS Program, and will have the opportunity to learn about many aspects of the District's mission. The position is intended as a part-time position extending multiple semesters as long as the candidate is in school. District interns are not eligible for remote work, all work will be conducted in office/field. This position will have the choice of working out of the District's Sarasota office.

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

• Training and Development: Having a successful career takes more than technical training. The District helps our staff develop additional skill sets, such as emotional intelligence, time management, customer service, conflict resolution, communications and more. As an intern, you are eligible to attend these on-site trainings.
• Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential assistance and support in a wide variety of areas important to an employee's well-being, including but not limited to work and life balance, stress management, coping with family issues, financial advice, legal and workplace problems, addictions, student loan assistance and any other personal issues adversely affecting quality of life.
• Wellness Program: Your Health Matters is designed to encourage employees to engage in healthier lifestyle behaviors through the achievement of health and fitness goals. The program includes classes on health and fitness topics, District campus walking routes, a fitness challenge, tobacco-cessation resources, an ergonomics program, discount programs, incentives and other resources. Participation in wellness program activities is voluntary.

Compensation: $16.00 hourly

Essential Functions

• Compile and review data from established databases, maps and publications
• Assist with data analysis of FARMS project performance
• Manage various Access databases
• Constructing ArcPRO maps for project presentations
• Assisting with outreach to the agricultural community.
• Attending field visits to projects and potential projects.
• Gaining an understanding of how the Districts regulatory function impacts the agricultural community.
• Perform queries from the FARMS and District's Regulatory database

Working Conditions

Most work is conducted in a standard office environment. This position requires the ability to perform continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding) with one or both hands. Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds. Must be able to operate a District vehicle for two hours or more at a time. May be exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity, as well as a variety of pests, including mosquitoes and ticks. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work environments vary by assigned business unit.

Required Credentials for FARMS Student Intern Opportunity

• Possess High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Be at least part-time and currently enrolled in 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
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Credentials for FARMS Student Intern Opportunity

• Microsoft Office skills including proficiency with Excel
• Ability to work well on a team
• Ability to take on individual project assignments
• Preferred Degree: Agricultural Sciences, Agribusiness, Hydrology, Natural Sciences or Engineering
• Preferred Degree Level: Undergraduate

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 Sarasota, FL office.

Travel Required

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

Accepting applications until September 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

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.

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 [email protected]. 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.