County seeks interns to help assess local water health

Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for internships through a new watershed protection program from Richland County Stormwater Management.

While the County and private organizations work to monitor water quality in the area, the new program aims to augment those efforts by regularly reporting on and monitoring the health of local rivers and streams.

“This program provides a great opportunity for volunteers to get hands-on environmental work experience and gives the County valuable data that will aid in cleaning up local water bodies,” said Colten Winter, watershed program coordinator for Richland County.

Interns selected for the program will help the County assess natural streams and rivers’ health, remove trash, and report illicit discharges, defined as storm drains that contain pollutants or pathogens. The program is expected to run from late July to late October.

For students majoring in environmental science and related fields, the watershed protection internship will:

• Provide a working knowledge of stormwater management, river and stream hydrogeology, green infrastructure, and best management practices
• Allow for hands-on work with the County’s Geographic Information Systems division, data manipulation and interpretation, and myriad other tools applicable to environmental science-based work

Those interested should email an application letter to Winter at [email protected]. The letter should include work and education experience relevant to environmental work and education. July 1 is the deadline to apply.

Program interns should:

• Be comfortable working in water (up to waist high) and in hot or rainy conditions
• Be able to lift up to 50 pounds regularly
• Have good note-taking skills
• Be able to work independently or in a group

For more information on Richland County Stormwater Management, visit the County’s website: www.richlandcountysc.gov, and navigate to the Stormwater Management page.