Internships

DNR Internships provide students the opportunity to gain practical work experience in a realistic work environment and expose them to state government employment while receiving academic credit. Internships are based on learning objectives as defined by the DNR intern's hiring supervisor, the intern's faculty advisor and the intern.

In order to be appointed to an internship, the student must be receiving academic credit for the experience from his/her school. Interns may be high school or college level students seeking an internship for academic credit or as a means of fulfilling an academic requirement. Internships may be full or part-time and generally last anywhere from four weeks to one year.

Finding DNR internships

DNR Internships will be posted on the State of Minnesota Employment web page - www.careers.state.mn.us.

  • Locate a DNR Internship by performing a job search
  • Select "Intern/Student Worker" from the "Position Type" section
  • Select "Natural Resources Dept" from the "Department" section

Applying for DNR internships

New internships are posted daily. The bulk of DNR's internships are from May until September with a recruiting period beginning in January and ending in the beginning of April.

Interested students will need to apply to internships posted on the State of Minnesota Employment web page.

  • Locate the internship on the State of Minnesota Employment web page
  • Check the box next to "Apply for this job" at the bottom of the posting
  • Click the "Apply to Selected Jobs" button

Internship contacts

Internships can be arranged within the Divisions and Bureaus below.

  • Communication & Outreach
    Contact: Pat Delkoski 651-259-5360
  • Ecological & Water Resources -
    Contact: Bernice Cramblit 651-259-5101
  • Enforcement
    Contact: Standards and Training section, 320-616-2501 extension 2507
  • Fisheries
    Contact: Tim Goeman 218-999-7819
  • Forestry
    Contact: Patty Thielen 218-999-7841
  • Human Resources
    Contact: Matt Olinger 651-259-5315
  • Lands & Minerals
    Contact: Deb Hunt 651-259-5408
  • Management Resources
    Contact: Ron Winkel 651-259-5509
  • Parks and Trails
    Contact: Kristel Peters 218-308-2372
  • Wildlife
    Contact: Jeff Lawrence 218-308-2284

Background check

The DNR is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for visitors, staff, interns and volunteers. Therefore, interns are required to pass a background check as a condition of appointment.