Water Resources Policy Intern - Upper Mississippi River Basin Association - Deadline - May 5

The Water Resources Policy Intern for the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA), a
regional interstate organization, assists in researching policy and management issues,
communicating the five states’ policy positions, and developing opportunities and means for
interagency collaboration and coordination. In addition, the Intern would assist in developing the
Association’s external communications – e.g., new website development.

Position Description:
The Intern assists UMRBA staff in advancing the Association’s work related to the integrated,
balanced management of the Upper Mississippi River System. These strategies are currently
provided in UMRBA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan linked here.
Activities include, but are not limited to, working with the two Policy and Programs Directors on
researching issues to support advocacy on the basin states’ collective interests, tracking and
analyzing river-related policy, supporting communications and social media efforts that promote the
Association’s work, and providing staff support to federal and state interagency forums and partner
meetings. While the Intern reports to one of the Policy and Programs Directors, the Intern will have
the opportunity to work with all staff on several issues that are important to state and federal
partners.

Specific Responsibilities:
 Staff support — provide staff support to the UMRBA Board and its standing coordinating
forums. This includes supporting the Executive Director and Policy and Programs Directors at
forums and meetings, preparing necessary background information, documenting meetings
and group decisions, etc.
 Advocacy — work with Policy and Programs Directors to research and prepare UMRBA
position statements, study reports, testimony and letters of comment, and other UMRBA
publications and official correspondence.
 Issue Tracking — track and analyze water resource issues of potential interest to the UMRBA.
 Communications — work with UMRBA staff to communicate, promote, and implement
UMRBA’s priorities and positions on river issues, including suggesting website and social
media content.
 Other duties — assist in other UMRBA issue areas as directed, and support Executive Director,
Policy and Programs Directors, and Administrative Assistant in administrative matters as
requested.

Position Requirements:
 Pursuit of a university degree in biology, ecology, public affairs, transportation planning, natural
resources, environmental science/management, or related field.
 An interest in river-related issues, water resources, public policy, and federal legislative and
budgetary processes would be helpful.
 Excellent analytical, research, and communication skills.
 Excellent judgment and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Water Resources Policy Intern
Upper Mississippi River Basin Association

 Strong interpersonal and team-building skills.
 Willingness and ability to travel on occasion.

About the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA)
The UMRBA is a non-profit organization formed in 1981 by the Governors of the five Upper MississippiRiver states (IL, IA, MN, MO, and WI) to provide a forum for discussion and collective action on regional water resource issues. Each state is represented on UMRBA by a gubernatorial designee, typically from the state agency with primary responsibility for water management. Federal advisory members include the USACE, USDA, USCG, USEPA, USFWS, USGS, MARAD, and FEMA. UMRBA’s activities span a broad range of issues, including commercial navigation, ecosystem health, water quality, flood risk management, hydropower, spill response, and aquatic invasive species. A staff of five permanent full-time and one to three project-term employees is based in Bloomington, MN. Additional information is available on the UMRBA website at www.umrba.org.

Application deadline: May 5, 2021

Employment Type: Internship

Duration: June 7, 2021 to August 30, 2021

Part Time: 3-day work week (24 hours)

Hourly Range: $15/hour

Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

Applicants are asked to submit:
1) A cover letter describing relevant experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2) A resume
3) Contact information for two professional references
Application materials and questions should be directed to Andrew Stephenson at

astephenson@umrba.org.

The Upper Mississippi River Basin Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, gender identity, gender
orientation, family status, or mental or physical limitations unrelated to bona fide job requirements.