Job Closes: April 17th, 2026

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Michael Gonzales Memorial internship was established in 2012 to honor Michael Gonzales, former Deputy Director of Technical Services at the San Antonio River Authority. This internship opportunity is awarded to a highly motivated outstanding undergraduate student from a Texas institute of higher education. It is designed to stimulate interest in careers in environmental sciences among groups underrepresented in these professions. The candidate selected will intern with the San Antonio River Authority Environmental Sciences Department (ESD) in San Antonio, Texas. The intern must be a current member or become a member of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (TCAFS) prior to the conclusion of the internship. The River Authority will assist the selected intern with the application process and/or application fees if necessary.

Safety is #1 at the River Authority: We expect every employee: to 1) Strictly follow safety policies, rules, and safe work methods. 2) Promptly correct or report safety hazards or unsafe conditions. Immediately report injuries for prompt diagnosis and treatment. 3) Make regular suggestions for safety process improvements to support continuous safety improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Conduct routine water quality collections throughout the San Antonio River basin.
• Collect fish, habitat, and benthic macroinvertebrate data to assess stream health.
• Learn how to identify fish and benthic macroinvertebrates of the San Antonio River basin.
• Use kayaks or other small watercraft to conduct freshwater mussel surveys using a variety of methods, oftentimes in remote locations.
• Assist biologists with data collection, data processing, and report writing in support of routine monitoring and other projects.
• Become familiar with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) sampling protocol in support of the Clean Rivers Program.
• Make unbiased observations of aquatic and riparian conditions.
• Assist with the calibration, operation, and maintenance of ESD field instruments.
• Prior to the conclusion of the internship, present to ESD staff on their experience with the River Authority.
• Performs related work as required.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS

• This position does not directly supervise any employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

Candidates for this internship must meet the following qualifications:

• Enrolled at an accredited college or university for at least one semester after completion of internship (Individuals graduating in Summer 2025 are not eligible for this position) and
• Have a minimum total cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

Candidates for this internship must provide all the following materials to be considered:

• Official or non-official transcripts,
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals with academic or professional experience with the candidate,
• A 500-word essay discussing professional goals, motivations, and passions and
• Resume.

Required Licenses or Certifications

• None 

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Knowledge of:

• Aquatic species of Texas
• Aquatic and ecological theories and principles
• Microsoft Office

Laboratory Information Management System

Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents
• Communicating orally and in writing
• Ability to swim
• Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and SARA Core Values of Stewardship, Integrity, and Excellence.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment and Physical Effort: (check the appropriate box:)

Physical Effort Requirements

Work Environment

Sedentary

Medium

Heavy

Good:  Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

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Satisfactory:  Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.     Occasional outside work. 

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Disagreeable:  Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.     Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.

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Sedentary:  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Medium:  Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Heavy:  Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS continued

Work Locations: (select one frequency choice for each location listed:)

Work Environment Locations

Work Locations:  Indicate how often the work requires the employee to be in the following types of environments:

Seldom or Never

Sometimes

Frequently or Often

Office or similar indoor environment

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Outdoor environment

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Street environment (near moving traffic)

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Construction site

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Confined space

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Vehicle

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Warehouse environment

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Other: (Specify:       )

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Exposures: (select one frequency choice for each exposure listed:)

Exposures

Exposures:  Indicate how often the work requires the employee to be exposed to the following environmental exposures.

Seldom or Never

Sometimes

Frequently or Often

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)

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Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

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Communicable diseases

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Moving mechanical parts

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Fumes or airborne particles

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Poison ivy, wasps, snakes, and other natural hazards

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Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances

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Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

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Other: (Specify:       )

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San Antonio River Authority is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity.