Natural Resources Summer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Progressive Companies Summer Internship Program is a paid, full-time experience designed to launch your career. You'll take part in hands-on client projects, sharpen your problem-solving and communication skills, and gain a front-row seat to the world of architecture, design, engineering, and construction. Working alongside experienced mentors in a multi-disciplinary firm setting, you'll learn the tools and methods that build a strong foundation for your future career. Along the way, you'll take part in project site visits, volunteer outings, networking opportunities, and education sessions - all designed to fuel your career and your curiosity.
Please note: Applications are now open, and we encourage all interested candidates to apply. Interviews will begin in October 2026, so you may not hear back immediately. Thank you for your patience as we work through a high volume of applications.
As a Water Resources Intern, you will work collaboratively with environmental scientists to conduct aquatic plant surveys, collect water quality samples, and perform laboratory analysis. Typical work includes driving a pickup truck and trailering a boat to lakes in Michigan's lower peninsula, navigating with GPS, and recording field observations. This is a fieldwork-intensive role - expect to spend most of your time outdoors on the water rather than in the office.
Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the Water Resources team and clients to help meet project schedules and budgets.
• Assist with loading and unloading of survey supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Provide field observations and laboratory analysis consistent with Progressive's standards.
• Navigate a variety of weather conditions when driving pickup truck and boat several hours each day on the job.
• Identify a variety of aquatic plants using basic knowledge of limnology.
• Maintain boating safety certification and assist with minor boat and vehicle repair and maintenance as necessary.
• Drive a pickup truck and trailer a 16-foot boat to lakes throughout Michigan's lower peninsula, sometimes working long days up to 12 hours in length.

Qualifications:

• Enrollment in a Biology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, or similar degree program, with coursework in Aquatic Sciences preferred.
• At least one year of undergraduate studies completed by Summer 2027.
• Previous experience driving and trailering boats required.
• Basic knowledge of limnology and aquatic plant life preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills, and ability to communicate well.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.

People Matter
Each individual's background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.
Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Transforming Spaces. Empowering People.
The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today's needs and preparing for what's to come. We live by the idea that design isn't simply about beauty, it's about improving strategic outcomes-what we call Performance Based Design. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities.
Sustainable and Inclusive
We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.
Employee Owned
We act like owners-because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to over 350 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.
Culture of Excellence
The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration.
Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.