Intern - Data Analyst

Summer Internship opportunities are available to students only. To be eligible for a summer internship, students must be graduating after August 7, 2026 or continuing their education. The Summer Internship begins on May 18, 2026  and ends on August 7, 2026.

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is seeking a motivated and analytical Summer Intern to support groundwater and water resources data analysis efforts related to water supply planning, hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, and water quality analytics. This internship is ideal for students interested in applying programming, data analysis, and problem-solving skills to real-world environmental and public-sector challenges.
The intern will work with professional data scientists on hands-on projects involving large datasets, analytical tool development, and software enhancement. Projects will include both individual and collaborative team-based work, with mentoring and on-the-job training provided throughout the internship.

Key Responsibilities
•    Develop, enhance, and maintain data analysis tools using SQL, Python, and/or R
•    Write SQL scripts and queries to retrieve and process large datasets from enterprise databases
•    Analyze and manipulate large datasets originating from databases, existing datasets, or large groundwater and water quality model outputs
•    Translate and refactor analytical code between Python and R, improving performance, reusability, or maintainability
•    Modernize and refactor legacy scripts or tools to improve efficiency, clarity, or functionality
•    Design and implement new analytical tools or applications based on detailed project requirements
•    Assist with the development of interactive or menu-driven systems to organize and launch analytical applications
•    Collaborate closely with agency staff, participate in code reviews, and contribute to shared development workflows
•    Use Git for version control and follow collaborative coding best practices
•    Prepare clear technical documentation, including code documentation, workflows, and user guidance
•    Communicate progress and results through written summaries and presentations, including a final presentation summarizing internship work
Required Qualifications 
•    Achieved classification as a college-level Junior or above in a related degree program at a college or university accredited by a recognized national or regional accreditation association
•    Coursework relevant to the position
•    No prior professional experience required
•    Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
•    Must maintain an average grade of B or above in all major fields of study
Preferred / Desired Qualifications
•    Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science, Engineering,  or a related field
•    Coursework or experience with SQL, Python, and/or R
•    Interest in groundwater science, water resources, environmental modeling, or data analytics
•    Willingness to strengthen existing technical skills and learn new tools through hands-on project work
•    Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based technical environment
•    Strong attention to detail and an interest in writing clear, well-organized documentation
•    Familiarity with Git or other version control systems is a plus (training will be provided)
Learning Opportunities
•    Gain hands-on experience with real-world groundwater, water quality, and water supply datasets
•    Learn best practices in data analytics, scientific programming, and software development
•    Receive mentorship from experienced data scientists
•    Contribute to analytical tools and workflows of supply planning and environmental decision-making
•    Develop communication skills by presenting technical work to technical and non-technical audiences
Compensation and Work Schedule
•    Undergraduate Interns: $17.00 per hour, Graduate and Doctoral Interns: $19.00 per hour
•    Maximum of 32 hours per week – in person, 4 months 
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking candidates who are curious, motivated, and eager to apply and expand their technical skills in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. A strong interest in learning, problem-solving, and contributing to public-sector environmental work is as important as prior technical experience.

Veterans' Preference
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.

Americans with Disabilities Act:
The South Florida Water Management District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Bureau at HR_Solutions@sfwmd.gov