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Lussier Family Heritage Center

Conservation Career Pathways Internship Program

The Conservation Career Pathways Program provides young people, ages 18-24, with paid, hands-on summer internship experiences with the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department. The internships focus on conservation, land management, and natural resource careers and help support staff capacity through meaningful project work. Interns are hired as Limited Term Employees (LTEs) and complete required Dane County onboarding prior to or during their first week.

Interest applications will be accepted starting in March 2027.

This program is made possible through the financial support from the Foundation for Dane County Parks and Ascendium Education Group. 

  • 18–24 years old.  
  • Able to maintain reliable attendance and work the assigned internship schedule, including any fixed professional and cohort development days.  
  • Able to meet basic workplace expectations including communication, professionalism, appropriate phone use.  
  • Willing and able to follow all safety instructions and requirements, including use of any required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  
  • Have a reliable transportation plan to the reporting location (a driver’s license is not required unless stated in the specific posting).  
  • Must be comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions (heat, rain, mud, insects) and able to walk on uneven terrain.  
  • Able to lift and carry approximately 25-50 lbs.   
  • Demonstrates interest in one or more of the following: environmental work, conservation, agriculture, forestry, natural areas, water resources, GIS, operations, construction, or public service.  
  • Able to use basic workplace technology (email, calendars, and simple file or document tasks) or willing to learn.  

Compensation
Pay: $15.84/hour

Time Commitment

This internship offers up to 120 hours of paid work between June 14, 2027, and August 13, 2027. You and your direct division supervisor will work together to distribute these hours across the summer. 

Conservation work requires scheduling flexibility. Tasks depend on weather and changing fieldwork realities. To support smooth planning, schedules consist of consistent, full-day shifts rather than half-days. Supervisors will communicate clearly about these timing needs at the very start of the internship. 

Who Should Apply

This introductory program is for young adults ages 18–24 who want to explore future career paths. It helps if you have a general interest in your local environment, natural areas, or outdoor work. 

You do not need prior experience. You just need a willingness to learn workplace technology and outdoor skills. We welcome applicants who want to build professional communication habits and boost their job readiness. This program aims to reach a diverse demographic of young people outside traditional college tracks. 

This program is intended for individuals who are new to conservation and natural resources.

Work Setting
Most positions include outdoor field work in varying weather, walking on uneven terrain, and occasional lifting/carrying tools or equipment.  

Lakes Management Mechanic

This internship provides hands-on experience supporting the maintenance and repair used in lake management operations. Interns will work alongside experienced mechanics, gaining exposure to wide variety of equipment while learning how mechanical systems support conservation work. A valid driver's license is required.  

Typical activities may include:  

  • Assist with equipment maintenance and basic repairs on aquatic plant harvesters, trucks, skid steers, forklifts, barges, locks and dams, and other lake management equipment. 
  • Shadow mechanics and staff to learn about hydraulic, electrical, and outboard systems used in field operations. 
  • Support seasonal maintenance projects, equipment preparation, and other operational tasks that keep lake management work running smoothly. 

 

Forestry Internship

Learn how Dane County manages trees and woodlands across the park system. Interns support tree planting, early establishment care, and simple inventories while gaining exposure to practical forestry and urban forestry concepts used in Wisconsin communities.  

Typical activities may include: 

  • Tree planting and assisting with watering, mulching, and establishment care  
  • Assisting with simple tree inventories (counting, measuring, tagging, mapping)  
  • Recording field notes and helping organize basic documentation  
  • Supporting seasonal tree and woodland management activities  


Natural Areas

Get hands-on experience caring for Dane County parks and natural areas. Interns help with invasive species management, learn to identify native plants, and support basic site monitoring. You’ll build field skills and learn how ecological restoration work happens in local government.  

Typical activities may include: 

  • Removing invasive plants and supporting native habitat restoration 
  • Learning plant identification and field observation techniques  
  • Assisting with site checks and basic monitoring notes/photos  
  • Helping with tool/equipment setup and cleanup for field tasks 

We want every young person to feel welcome in our internship program. We know things like transportation, gear, clothing, and food access can sometimes get in the way. To help overcome this, each intern receives a fully stocked backpack with basic field gear such as water bottle, insect repellent, work gloves, first aid supplies, and other basic essentials.

We also may be able to help with:

  • Transportation
  • Work clothing
  • Snacks and meals

Our goal is simple: to help you feel prepared and supported so you can focus on career development and growth. Please reach out with any questions. We’re happy to help.

Applying is easy! Our interest application opens March 2027. When you’re ready, click the “Apply Now” button to go to a Microsoft Form where you can fill out your information. The interest application takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Once you submit your form, we’ll review your application and reach out with next steps.    

Dane County will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with applicable law and County policy. If you need an accommodation to participate in the hiring process or to perform the work requirements, please contact us.  

Application link will appear at the top of this web page at 8:00 am on March 1 and be open through March 15.

Questions?

Grace Coleman
Youth Conservation Coordinator
(608) 228-2590
coleman.grace@danecounty.gov