Environmental Science Intern - Minnesota

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow?  A  position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.

Xcel Energy is seeking candidates to support our Environmental Services Department conduct biology and water science related studies at power plants located throughout MN and WI.  The paid internship will provide you with practical experience in the energy industry at a company that’s committed to excellence, safety and environmental stewardship.  The position will involve a variety of field, laboratory and data processing tasks.  Considerable time will be spent outdoors working from a boat in a variety of weather conditions, including inclement conditions, and potential for non-typical work schedules including extended hours, nights and weekends.  Through practical field experience and mentoring, successful candidates will gain significant professional and personal skills.

Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

Participate in a field crew of two to four people using various field sampling techniques including electrofishing, seines and kick nets to collect fish and aquatic samples

Collect biological data including field identification of fish to species and weight and length data 

Process preserved minnow, larval fish and macroinvertebrate samples in a laboratory setting and identify to species  

Use water quality monitoring equipment including hand-held turbidity and pH meters, hydrolabs and data loggers

Enter field data into Excel spreadsheets and assist with data and statistical analysis, drafting graphs and tables and reporting writing

 
This is for a full-time position (40 hours/week) to start June 1, 2026. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial summer term and work part-time during the school year based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.
 
Minimum Requirements:

Current student (as of May 2026) enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a B.S. or advanced degree in biology, aquatic biology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources sciences, sustainability or other science-based program.

Able to commute to the Prairie Island Environmental Laboratory located at 1717 Wakonade Dr., Welch MN and various worksite locations in the Twin Cities Metro and surrounding areas.

Able to work full-time during the summer (40 hours a week)

 
Preferred Qualifications:

3.0 GPA (out of a 4.0 scale) or higher

Completed undergraduate coursework in aquatic biology, ichthyology, aquatic insects, limnology, hydrology, chemistry or similar related courses.

Familiarity and experience working from a boat and / or in an outdoor setting.

Experience or Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analytics tools.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.