Milwaukee Riverkeeper - Water Quality Intern (Social & Environmental Justice Program - SEJ)

Water Quality Intern

(June 2026 – August 2026)

Working for Milwaukee Riverkeeper...

At Milwaukee Riverkeeper® we’re looking for more than just a person to fill a desk. We’re

seeking team members that share our passion for healthy rivers and communities. If you want to

become a part of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, you will be empowered to work the way you work

best. Your voice is important, you’ll help shape the role you’re in and the future of our

organization. From the top down and the bottom up, we’re more than just a workplace, we sweat

together, and play to win!

Position Description

The Water Quality Intern is primarily responsible for assisting the Water Quality team in executing

our community-based water quality monitoring program and aiding in the robotic plastic removal

project. Our monitoring program currently has 80+ volunteers collecting data at over 100

locations throughout the Milwaukee River Basin. The Water Quality Assistant would help with

additional projects including trout stream, emerging contaminants, freshwater mussels, and

winter road salt monitoring. This position reports to the Water Quality Manager and will work

closely with all aspects of the position’s work.

Responsibilities

● Assist in training and coordinating volunteer monitors

● Assist in the deployment of plastic beach cleaning robots and waste characterizations

● Perform QA/QC field checks with volunteer stream monitors in the field

● Perform monthly water quality monitoring; help with preparing and shipping samples

● Enter field data into the WDNR’s surface water quality database

● QAQC potential priority sites & assist in streamlining water quality monitoring program

● Assist with miscellaneous water quality projects which may include data analysis and

mapping projects

● Assist with tabling and public outreach events

● Milwaukee Riverkeeper employees are expected to be flexible and to take on additional

duties as assigned, according to the organization’s needs and the staff member’s skill

and abilities.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

● Bachelor’s degree or working toward bachelor’s degree

● Strong attention to details & good interpersonal skills

● Experience working with volunteers is a plus

● Data entry experience

● Ability to work independently and resolve routine problems

● Willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings

Physical Requirements

● Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

● Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

● Must be willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

Other

This list of essential responsibilities and requirements is not intended to be exhaustive. The

Milwaukee Riverkeeper team needs to be flexible and may be asked to take on additional duties

based on the organization’s needs and the team member’s skills and abilities. Milwaukee

Riverkeeper reserves the right to revise this job description, as needed.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of

ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or

sexual orientation in accordance with state and federal law.

Compensation:
This internship is part of the Lawrence University Social & Environmental Justice Cohort, which provides an opportunity for Lawrentians to explore social and environmental justice impact careers, gain professional experience, and develop as leaders. Students complete a full-time summer 2026 internship with an identified social and/or environmental justice impact organization in Milwaukee or Appleton, while participating in ongoing reflection with fellow students, Professor Jason Brozek, the Career Center, community leaders and alumni.  Students may apply for as many positions as they are qualified for and interested in. Each student in the SEJ program will receive a $5k stipend to help cover housing and transportation costs and living expenses. For additional details and to see other SEJ opportunities, please see the SEJ Cohort webpage.

• Before applying, you must meet with a Career Center's Ty Collins for a resume review, or your resume must achieve green status in VMOCK.  If your resume does not meet professional expectations, you may be asked to resubmit your resume.  Please make an appointment with Ty here on Handshake.
• Once your resume is approved, you will then apply directly to one or more of the designated SEJ Internship options in Handshake by February 13, 2026 at 11:55 p.m. A separate application should be prepared for each position.
• Complete this form to indicate your transportation needs. The form only needs to be submitted once.

Please ask Michelle Buchinger for more details about how funding works Michelle.m.buchinger@lawrence.edu