Legal Operations Intern Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Work for Our Water Resources.
Help protect one of Florida's most vital resources - water - with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).
The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public's water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.
Join our Environmental Resources Permitting Bureau
Support the District's ERP Bureau managing multiple tasks and priorities in fast-paced, team-oriented environment. As a Student Intern you will work alongside professional engineers in the ERP Evaluation and Compliance Section to help safeguard Florida's wetlands, waterways, and natural systems.
You'll get hands-on experience investigating real-world permitting and compliance activities-digging into records, reviewing project applications, and helping craft official correspondence. You'll head into the field for construction site visits, check whether projects meet permit conditions, and see firsthand how environmental regulations shape what gets built in our region.
This role is perfect for students who want meaningful, impactful work that blends environmental science, engineering, policy, and fieldwork. You won't just observe-you'll contribute to important efforts that keep Florida's water resources protected.
For helping to maintain our valuable water resources, we offer:

• Training and Development: Having a successful career takes more than technical training. The District helps our staff develop additional skill sets, such as emotional intelligence, time management, customer service, conflict resolution, communications and more. As an intern, you are eligible to attend these on-site trainings.
• Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential assistance and support in a wide variety of areas important to an employee's well-being, including but not limited to work and life balance, stress management, coping with family issues, financial advice, legal and workplace problems, addictions, student loan assistance and any other personal issues adversely affecting quality of life.
• Wellness Program: Your Health Matters is designed to encourage employees to engage in healthier lifestyle behaviors through the achievement of health and fitness goals. The program includes classes on health and fitness topics, District campus walking routes, a fitness challenge, tobacco-cessation resources, an ergonomics program, discount programs, incentives and other resources. Participation in wellness program activities is voluntary.

Compensation: $16.00 per hour
Essential Functions

• Conduct investigations into water-resource permitting and compliance activities, gaining exposure to how the District evaluates environmental impacts and regulatory requirements.
• Research and analyze files of record, including historical permits, engineering plans, compliance reports, and related documentation.
• Review permit applications to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with environmental and regulatory standards.
• Generate professional correspondence such as review letters, follow-up requests, and internal summaries used by engineers and compliance staff.
• Participate in construction inspection site visits to observe field conditions, document project progress, and compare observed work with permitted plans.
• Verify permit compliance by helping assess whether construction activities meet required environmental protection measures.
• Perform additional support functions as needed to help the ERP Evaluation and Compliance team achieve its project and regulatory goals.

Working Conditions
Employee works in a standard office environment. Occasional travel usually during the workday may be required. Performs continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding) with one or both hands. Occasionally lifts and carries objects up to 10 pounds. Occasionally requires bending and reaching above shoulder level. May spend time out in the field in remote areas. Possible travel to other offices. Occasionally required to drive automotive vehicle for 2 hours or more at a time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.
Required Credentials for Environmental Resource Permit Student Intern

• High School Diploma
• Currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or other recognized educational or vocational program
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students or minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate students
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Credentials for Environmental Resource Permit Student Intern

• Preferred Degrees: Civil, Environmental, or Water Resources Engineering
• Preferred Degree Level: Undergraduate

Application Process
The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, a District employment application. Any application that is not complete will not receive consideration for the position. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the information requested on the application for purposes of qualification. Exceptions may be granted for those applicants who are within 30 days of graduation. If selected, candidate is not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.
Additional Details
This position is typically scheduled to work up to 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, out of the Tampa, FL office.
Travel Required
Yes. Some travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.
Accepting applications until August 12, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
About Us
The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.
Apply Now
Start and grow your career with the District! The District prides itself on providing a positive work environment that engages and supports our employees through flexible and remote work schedules. We provide and support learning and development for staff at all levels including conferences, association memberships, and formal education. Let us know if you have previous public sector experience that may allow for additional perks! Click on the link to apply.
#WorkForOurWater
Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.
All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.
The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.