Freshwater Opportunities

EMPLOYMENT

Water Regulation/Zoning Specialist (Multiple Locations)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)*

Summary: These positions are responsible for administering the waterway protection program and the state’s wetland protection program for their assigned geographic area. Duties include: 1.) Providing assistance to the public and other government agencies; 2.) Advising the public on the need for waterway or wetland regulatory permits; 3.) Processing applications for general and individual permits; 4.) Conducting routine and annual compliance monitoring of permitted activities; and 5.) Responding to violations and implementing the department’s stepped enforcement process.
Application Deadline: October 19, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

*Shoreland Zoning Specialist (Multiple Locations)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)

Summary: This position is responsible for implementing Wisconsin’s Shoreland Zoning Program. Shoreland Zoning has the goal of protecting water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and natural beauty. Duties include: 1.) Providing technical assistance to local units of government; 2.) Reviewing and certifying shoreland zoning ordinances; and 3.) Providing training on jurisdictional determinations to local units of government.
Application Deadline: October 19, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

*Stormwater Engineers (Multiple Locations)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)

Summary: These Stormwater Engineers are responsible for the implementation of the municipal (MS4), construction, and industrial stormwater programs in accordance with Section 1251-1387 of the Clean Water Act, ch. 283, Wis. Stats., and chs. NR 151 and 216, Wisconsin Administrative Code. These Stormwater Engineer positions are responsible for technical engineering review and engineering support for the construction, municipal, and industrial stormwater permit program, in field compliance oversight of storm water permitted facilities, as well as engineering review and approval of stormwater projects and assistance with engineering review of grant applications related to the urban planning and construction nonpoint grant program and the state targeted runoff management grant. These positions provide critical support for the Department’s alternative water quality compliance approaches and TMDL implementation.
Application Deadline: October 19, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Postdoctoral Scholar (Davis, CA)
University of California Davis Environmental Research Center (TERC)*

Summary: UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct interdisciplinary research in lake and aquatic science, hydrodynamic modeling, remote sensing and environmental data science. The successful candidate will investigate the physical processes governing lake circulation and transport of harmful algal blooms through the integration of numerical modeling, field observations, remote sensing products and environmental datasets.
Application Deadline: October 20, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Great Lakes Tourism Specialist (Oswego, NY)
New York Sea Grant*

Summary: Serve as a primary resource for Great Lakes coastal recreation and tourism organizations, businesses, and local, county and state agencies on tourism and economics for New York Sea Grant. Provide extension programming related to the economic and social impacts, business development, promotion, and environmental management/policy issues associated with Great Lakes coastal recreation and tourism. Develop extension, outreach, and educational materials and training programs to support a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable coastal recreation tourism industry, as well as inform a related research plan for New York State. Additionally, develop, implement, and evaluate a stakeholder engagement process for identifying the status, constraints, and opportunities for coastal recreation and tourism in New York’s Great Lakes region, which includes a newly designated National Marine Sanctuary.
Application Deadline: November 1, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

NRC Research Associateship Programs
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine

Summary: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Office of Fellowships has conducted the NRC Research Associateship Programs in cooperation with sponsoring federal laboratories and other research organizations since 1954. NRC Research Associateships are awarded to exceptionally talented postdoctoral and senior scientists and engineers through a rigorous selection process. These selected individuals are granted tenure as guest researchers at participating laboratories, highlighting their outstanding contributions and potential in their respective fields.
Application Deadline: November 1, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

2027-2028 Great Lakes Engagement Fellow (Ann Arbor, MI)
Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)*

Summary: The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is seeking one Engagement Fellow to join our small, mission-driven team for a hands-on, mentored fellowship experience at the intersection of ocean and Great Lakes science, community engagement, and public service. This fellowship is designed as an extension of a student’s graduate education: an opportunity to grow into new skills, gain exposure to the day-to-day work of a regional nonprofit that serves both the scientific community and the general public, and build a career in Great Lakes and coastal science policy and engagement.
Application Deadline: November 13, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

2027-2028 Great Lakes Communications Fellow (Ann Arbor, MI)
Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)*

Summary: : The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is seeking one Communications Fellow to join our small, mission-driven team for a hands-on, mentored fellowship experience at the intersection of coastal ocean and Great Lakes science, community engagement, and public service. This fellowship is designed as an extension of a student’s graduate education: an opportunity to grow into new skills, focusing on strategic communications, science communication, and public awareness of binational Great Lakes data and information.
Application Deadline: November 13, 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Water Resource Management Specialist (Jefferson, WI)
Jefferson County*

Summary: The Water Resource Specialist provides expertise and services in the management of land and water resources and helps landowners and the public solve environmental issues, protect water resources, follow environment laws, and take part in conservation-related and education opportunities.
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Water Feature Service & Maintenance Technician (Sleepy Hollow, IL)
Reflections Water Gardens*

Summary: Reflections Water Gardens is looking for a results-driven Maintenance & Service Technician. THIS IS A HANDS-ON WORKING POSITION. You will be responsible for the continued service of clients’ projects, maintenance, and repairs. Self-motivation, reliability, ambition, and a passion for service in outdoor environments are a must to be successful at Reflections Water Gardens.
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Water System Specialist (Milwaukee, WI)
Advocate Health

Summary: Major responsibilities include: 1.) Manage ASHRAE 188–compliant water management programs, including policy enforcement and administrative documentation using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS); 2.) Provide direct support for regulatory surveys, including inspector interviews, documentation retrieval, and site visits to demonstrate compliance with water management requirements; 3.) Coordinate bacterial testing and response protocols enterprise-wide to ensure records are maintained and corrective actions are executed in accordance with organizational policy and best practices; 4.) Compile and analyze water chemistry and biological testing results for cooling towers, boilers, and closed-loop systems to ensure alignment with performance standards; 5.) Monitor operations and state-mandated compliance testing for domestic water supplemental disinfection systems; 6.) Maintain site policies, safety documentation, and task records within digital management platforms; 7.) Manage vendor relationships to ensure accountability, including scheduling, billing oversight, and facilitation of stakeholder meetings for planning and communication; 8.) Track and analyze water meter data to identify trends and support water conservation and energy-efficiency initiatives; 9.) Prepare written and verbal reports summarizing compliance metrics, testing results, and trends for quarterly safety and business reviews; and 10.) Travel to enterprise sites (approximately 10% of workdays) across Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, and Georgia to conduct onsite water system walkthroughs and assessments.
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Senior Source Water Policy Manager (Chicago, IL)
Alliance for the Great Lakes

Summary: The Senior Source Water Policy Manager works on critical unmet water quantity challenges in the Great Lakes region.  They develop research questions and methods, plan and conduct research to identify causes, impacts, and solutions, develop policy analyses, and publicly educate and communicate findings to stakeholders in support of advocacy efforts under the Water Resources Program of the Alliance’s strategy. The Manager works collaboratively with partners across the Basin to achieve the Alliance’s water quantity goals. They serve as a key liaison to researchers, project partners, and stakeholders across the Alliance’s focus states. The Manager maintains a working knowledge of Great Lakes source water programs and policies as they affect the Great Lakes and uses that knowledge to recommend new opportunities within the Alliance’s programs, with a particular emphasis on supporting underserved and disadvantaged communities. They ensure timely and high quality execution of relevant Alliance strategic plan deliverables, and partner with a variety of other staff members to support internal work planning, external communications, grant proposals, and reports.  
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Environmental Scientist (Various Locations)
LimnoTech

Summary: LimnoTech anticipates an exciting opportunity in Spring 2027 for an early career environmental or water resources engineer or scientist to help meet ongoing/expanding project needs. The selected candidate will be based in one of LimnoTech’s primary office locations (Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, Twin Cities, or DC). The position will be fully in-person for an introductory period, after which a hybrid schedule may be considered. The anticipated start date for this role is May or June 2027. Candidates are welcome to apply at any time; our review period will begin in January 2027.
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Scientific Software Developer – Hydrology (Various Locations)
LimnoTech

Summary: LimnoTech is seeking environmental engineers, scientists, and software developers capable of developing reproducible workflows for water data analysis and hydrologic modeling using modern geospatial data science Python libraries and contributing to open-source repositories. These skills will be applied to address a wide range of water resources challenges around the world. This position is open for work based in any of our four office locations (Ann Arbor MI – Headquarters; Washington DC; Twin Cities MN; Los Angeles CA), including in-person, hybrid, or remote work arrangements anchored at one of these offices.
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Post-Doctoral Position in Ecosystem Database Development & Human Dimensions (Columbus, OH)
The Ohio State University, Aquatic Ecology Laboratory

Summary: Dr. Stuart Ludsin (https://u.osu.edu/ludsinlab/) is seeking a post-doctoral scientist to help on a Great Lakes Fishery Commission project designed to develop a novel data-sharing platform to advance research and scientific endeavors in support of ecosystem-based fisheries management in the Great Lakes Basin. The post-doc will be expected to conduct structured or semi-structured interviews, create and analyze data from surveys, and organize workshops involving fishery managers, academic and agency researchers, and fishing groups. The post-doc would also work with an interdisciplinary team of scientists and computer/data engineers to develop a prototype of this data-sharing platform, which would allow endusers (e.g., academic and agency researchers, fishery managers) to simultaneously query existing, independent Great Lakes databases and download their needed data in the proper spatial and temporal resolution through a user-friendly online interface (see next page for an overview). Beyond these activities, the post-doc will be expected to write and submit manuscripts for publication to peer-reviewed journals, help generate scientific proposals, give presentations in management and scientific settings, and help generate annual progress reports to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which is this project’s sponsor.
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Laboratory & Research Manager (Green Bay, WI)
NEW Water

Summary: At NEW Water, our purpose goes beyond daily operations—we are dedicated to being a model of water quality protection and environmental sustainability. As the Laboratory and Research Manager, you will play a central role in fulfilling this vital mission. By leading our laboratory operations, ensuring rigorous environmental compliance, and delivering accurate data, your work directly protects local water resources, supports public health, and serves our region.
Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

INTERNSHIPS & STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Environmental Intern (Ann Arbor, MI)
LimnoTech

Summary: Are you passionate about protecting our planet’s most vital resource? LimnoTech is seeking driven, curious, and motivated Environmental Engineering and Science interns to join our team this summer. As an intern, you won’t just be shadowing experts—you’ll be contributing to real-world solutions for complex water challenges. Each intern will work primarily on a specific project with an assigned mentor. Project areas could include urban wet weather & green infrastructure; environmental observing & sensing; water quality & water resources modeling; ecosystem restoration; or water stewardship & sustainability. Projects may include a hands-on field work component to ensure you can connect your skills to real-world environments. This position is expected to start in mid-May of 2027 and last through mid-August. Activities will be in-person, Monday through Friday (anticipated 40 hours/week). This internship is a paid hourly position based out of our Ann Arbor office. Candidates are welcome to apply at any time; our review period is anticipated to begin in January 2027.
Application Deadline: January 2027
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and register.

GRADUATE SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Graduate Assistantship in Fish Ecology (West Lafayette, IN)
Purdue University*

Summary: The Höök lab (www.purdue.edu/fnr/hook) at Purdue University is seeking PhD students to participate in funded projects targeting Great Lakes and large river fish ecology. Projects involve an integration of field sampling, laboratory studies, and quantitative analyses. Students will partner with state and federal agencies and collaborate with academic researchers. Selected individuals will enroll in Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (www.ag.purdue.edu/fnr) in West Lafayette, IN. Specific research topics include: 1.) Evaluating effects of ecosystem changes on early life dynamics of Lake Michigan fishes and 2.) Exploring fish movement and commercial fishery harvest in large Indiana rivers.
Application Deadline: November 13, 2026
More Information: See attached PDF to learn more and apply.

SCHOLARSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS

Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Estuarine Research Reserves

Summary: This is an exciting two-year fellowship program that provides the opportunity for graduate students to conduct collaborative research at one of the 30 national estuarine research reserves. Through a research project, fellows address a key reserve management need to help scientists and communities understand coastal challenges that may influence future policy and management strategies. The research reserves represent the apex of estuary science. At these coastal sites, fieldwork, research, and community engagement come together to create the scientific advances that change our communities and our world.
Application Deadline: Late 2026
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and apply.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Student Research Symposium
Riveredge Nature Center

When: November 14, 2026 | 8:00AM-4:00PM
Where: Riveredge Nature Center | 4458 County HWY Y, Saukville, WI 53080
Summary: We invite college students to submit an abstract of a current or recent year’s research project to present in oral or poster form at our Student Research Symposium. Submissions are welcome in the categories of biology, environmental science, chemistry, geology, and other sciences. The abstract submission deadline is October 8th! There will be cash prizes up to $300 awarded for the best oral and poster presentations. Plus, all presenters will receive a FREE Riveredge Membership just for participating!
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and register.

Wetland Science Conference
Wisconsin Wetlands Association

When: February 23-25, 2027
Where: Osthoff Resort | Elkhart Lake, WI
Summary: The annual Wetland Science Conference is a program of Wisconsin Wetlands Association. The conference runs for 3 days and includes keynote addresses, topical oral sessions, a poster session, workshops, working groups, roundtable discussions, evening networking events, and field trips to area wetlands.
More Information: Click HERE to learn more and register.