SOUTH DAKOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
2024 SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Position Title: Geologist Assistant (4 positions available)
Job ID: 25499
Department: Agriculture and Natural Resources
Location: Vermillion
Wage: $15.54 per hour plus weekly per diem
Position Description:
The student will assist SD Geological Survey personnel with tasks related to the mapping of the ground water resources and geology of the State. Tasks will include drilling of test holes and installation of monitoring wells, water sampling, mapping, data analysis, and GIS. The duration of employment is from May 2024 through August 2024. Specific start/end dates will be arranged with the students to fit their summer schedule.
The student will learn the technology of various drilling methods, how monitoring wells are installed and sampled, mapping techniques, and how to interpret geologic and hydrologic information. Experience will be gained in seeing and interpreting drill cuttings or core recovered from test holes in glacial and bedrock sediments. The student will assist with geophysical logging of test holes and will see how the logs are used to interpret subsurface geology. The student will assist in the installation of monitoring wells and will gain hands-on experience that will be valuable for future work in the geologic or environmental sciences.
Most of the student’s time will be spent working in the field. Some of the time will be in an office environment. Transportation during work activities will be in state vehicles. The work will commonly require up to 3 nights away from the office each week. Overnight stays while working in the field will be arranged for and paid for by the SD Geological Survey. The work week will commonly consist of working 40 hours in 4 days, allowing for a 3-day weekend.
In addition to a regular hourly wage, employees receive per diem when away from the office and working in the field. A typical work week involves leaving the office at 7:00 AM on Monday and returning to the office around noon on Thursday. In such a scenario, the seasonal employee would be paid $120 in per diem that week.
Qualifications:
• The applicant must be enrolled in a higher education program of study that includes curriculum in the geologic or earth sciences.
• The applicant must know how to use GIS software.
• The applicant must possess a valid driver’s license, be able to drive a car or light truck, and be willing to travel.
• The applicant must be capable of occasionally lifting 50 pounds and perform manual labor outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Please note this is a temporary or seasonal, non-benefited position, exempt from civil service.
To Apply:
• Apply online at https://bit.ly/SDGSintern.
• Contact Tim Cowman (Tim.Cowman@usd.edu) if you have questions.