Department Overview

The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association (Upper Sugar) is a Wisconsin based non-profit organization. We are a grassroots, self-sustaining, 501c3 non-profit conservation organization. We are a hands-on project group, and disseminate information about watershed issues and educate the public through our connections in local schools and numerous community partners.

Anticipated Start Date

May 23, 2026

Anticipated End Date

August 31, 2026

Remote Work Eligibility

Partially Remote

Anticipated Hours Per Week

Minimum: 15 Maximum: 30

Schedule

Due to the timing of reaching our target audience, availability to work some weekends and holidays (Memorial day and July 4th) is required. Flexibility around the start and end dates and weekly work schedule is possible with an emphasis on working during times of high volume use of boat launches.

Salary/Wage Range

Minimum: $17.00 Maximum: $17.00

Number of Positions

2

Qualifications

• Work-Study Required.
• Interest in conservation
• Reliability while conducting projects independently toward a team goal
• Willing to conducting in-person outreach and education by having conversations with boating and fishing recreationists like families and anglers in public spaces
• Professional communicator both in person and in digital correspondence
• Organization and attention to detail regarding collecting and entering data into a database
• Willingness to work outside in summer weather conditions in Southern Wisconsin

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Students will learn and practice educating the public about environmental protection in the form of invasive species spread prevention. Students will also learn how to collect survey data from the public and enter that data into a digital department of Natural Resources data repository. Students will also learn about the impacts of aquatic and wetland invasive species to Wisconsin’s water systems. Students will also be trained on aquatic invasive species identification.

Position Summary/Job Duties

The main duty of these positions is outdoor work implementing Clean Boats Clean Waters boater education at boat launches by communication with folks that come to the boat landings. Other tasks include aquatic invasive species monitoring and database reporting. Participation in other projects is possible if aligned with the interest of the applicant and the needs of Upper Sugar.

Data entry work may be done remotely. In person training will be required at the beginning of the summer. The majority of work will be conducted at the boat launch locations listed below.

• Cox Hollow Boat Ramp - Gov. Dodge SP Cox Hollow Cox Hollow Lake Boat Ramp
• Yellowstone Lake -- Access Near Beach Yellowstone Lake Yellowstone Lake Boat Ramp
• Cadiz Spring State Park - Beckman Lake 42° 35' 2.2999" N 89° 46' 16.2998" W
• Lake Wisconsin -- Access - Moon Valley Landing Lake Wisconsin Moon Valley Boat Ramp

Reliable car transportation for accessing remote sites and a valid driver's license is required. Please note that these sites are approximately 30-70 minutes drive from the Madison area. Work-Study Required. If you want to use your voice for a good cause, like to be by water, and are seeking field experience with a grassroots conservation non-profit, this opportunity may be for you.

Physical Demands

These positions require personal travel to remote boat launches near lakes in southern WI and working outside in the southern WI weather to contact folks coming to and leaving boat launches.