Laboratory Intern
This Internship opportunity is part-time for up to 25 hours per week not to exceed 11 months of employment
Conducts routine water/wastewater analyses Duties include but are not limited to collecting water samples; preparing, analyzing, and assisting with laboratory water and wastewater analyses; communicating with PWCSA customers, and maintaining Service Authority vehicles. Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited institution or recent college graduate (within the last two years). If enrolled in an undergraduate program, must be a junior or a senior. Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Position Responsibilities:
- Delivers bottles, picks up samples for lead/copper analyses collected by PWCSA commercial customers, and prepares samples for analyses.
- Conducts water testing at selected sample sites (i.e., total residual chlorine, free chlorine residual, pH, monochloramines, free ammonia, temperature, etc.) as needed using a HACH SL1000 and a HACH DR300 when possible.
- Under the supervision of laboratory personnel, conducts laboratory analyses of potable and wastewater samples (i.e., E. coli, alkalinity, conductivity, total hardness, calcium, total suspended solids, and biochemical oxygen demand) to determine and ensure water quality.
- Prepares media and reagents for potable and wastewater procedures.
- Ensures quality control requirements of the SDWA and VELAP Accreditation Programs
- Performs data entry and basic keyboarding tasks using Microsoft Suite and LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System); and prepares paperwork associated with water collections and bacteriological testing (i.e., laboratory reports, notes on test results, bench sheets, internal correspondences, etc.).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Ability to read and follow established PWCSA procedures and protocol regarding water sample collection, field and laboratory testing, safety, and equipment maintenance.
- Ability to comprehend and follow through on instructions, guidelines, protocols, SOPs, and safety procedures set forth by PWCSA.
- Ability to travel throughout the PWCSA boundaries effectively and successfully to collect/transport samples timely. At times, delivery or pick up of samples/containers may require travel outside PWCSA boundaries.
- Possesses general technical and mechanical skills to use, calibrate and maintain laboratory and field equipment (i.e., HACH SL1000, HACH DR300, autoclave, incubators, water baths, and coolers, etc.).
- Possesses effective written communication skills.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Prior use of laboratory equipment and knowledge of chemical processes and characteristics of nutrients preferred.
- Additional college coursework in biology, chemistry, or environmental science is preferred.