STUDENT INTERNS - ENGINEERING

SIX MONTH INTERNSHIPS

$40.00 per hour

Central San is an award-winning special district of the State of California that provides wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal services; recycled water production and distribution; and household hazardous waste collection.Our internships are six-month commitments, typically beginning in January and July. Interns are expected to work on-site in Martinez, California, for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. To be eligible, candidates must be an enrolled college junior (60 or more semester units), senior, graduate student, or have graduated within the past 12 months; must possess a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record; and must be eligible to work in the United States.

Laboratory Assistant

This position will be assigned to perform chemical, physical, biological, and microbiological analyses of wastewater and its byproducts. Duties include assisting staff with projects, sample collection and analysis, and operating simple laboratory instruments and associated computers. Duties may require research and assistance with project management and development. This position may also perform literature searches, compile scientific data, perform data analysis and reduction, and write reports and presentations. Preferred qualifications:Prior lab experience and pursuing a degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, or engineering.

Development Services

This position will assist with various tasks associated with the design, permitting, and construction of sewers for new and infill land development. Typical work includes assisting the permit counter with administrative duties, processing of sewer service applications, and reviewing engineering plans submitted by developers, contractors, and/or consultants for conformance with Central San’s standards and ordinances. Other duties include interacting with contractors and the public at both the Permit counter and in the field for construction projects; assisting the construction inspection group to ensure contractual compliance with plans, specifications, codes, and safety requirements, including checking cut sheets for line and grade; and verifying that materials being incorporated into a project are per specification. Applicants should be able to communicate effectively; learn to use industry-specific software; perform project-specific tasks; write clear, concise reports; assist personnel with fieldwork; work independently; and be self-motivated, patient, and respectful. Preferred qualifications: Pursuing a degree in environmental, civil, chemical, mechanical, or related engineering majors, and knowledge of computer spreadsheet development, word processing, and basic physics and chemistry.

Innovations and Efficiency

This position will assist with nutrient removal, odor control, secondary clarifier, and treatment plant preliminary design and planning projects. Typical work includes engineering support for data collection, reviewing past project drawings and technical reports, conducting literature reviews, developing presentations, and performing data analysis. Candidates should have knowledge of spreadsheet development, word processing, and fundamental physics and chemistry; be able to organize work assignments and learn to use industry-specific software; design and perform project-specific tasks; write clear, concise reports; assist personnel with fieldwork; work independently; and be self-motivated, patient, and respectful. Preferred qualifications: Pursuing a degree in environmental, civil, chemical, or mechanical engineering.

Asset Management and Geographic Information System (GIS)

This position will assist with GIS and asset management projects. Duties may include editing and maintaining GIS datasets, reading and extracting data from record drawings, performing field work, creating and updating various maps, publishing map services, and supporting the asset management system. Candidates should have completed or be enrolled in a GIS class, or have experience with Esri ArcMap and/or ArcGIS Pro. An interest in GIS and/or majoring in GIS, geography, or geospatial science is preferred.

Planning

This position will assist with planning projects for the treatment plant and collection system. Typical work includes engineering assistance with technical and economic evaluations, assessment of wet weather resiliency initiatives, cost estimating, writing technical memoranda, reviewing past technical reports and literature, developing presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint, data management and analysis using Microsoft Excel, and providing day-to-day project support. Applicants should be able to organize work assignments; learn to use industry-specific software; design and perform project-specific tasks; write clear, concise reports; assist personnel with fieldwork; work independently; and be self-motivated, patient, and respectful.Preferred qualifications: Pursuing a degree in environmental, civil, chemical, mechanical, or related engineering majors, and knowledge of computer spreadsheet development, word processing, and basic physics and chemistry.

Recycled Water

This position will assist with Central San's commercial, residential, and recycled water distribution programs, including planning and evaluating recycled water projects. Typical work includes routine customer interaction; assisting with the operation and maintenance of the recycled water distribution system; providing engineering support; interdepartmental coordination; report writing; literature review; internet research; recycled water usage tracking and billing; regulatory tracking; and assisting with the development of program guidelines, documents, and manuals.Applicants may work on tasks or assignments related to collection system or treatment plant projects as needed. Candidates should be able to organize work assignments; learn to use industry-specific software; design and perform project-specific tasks; write clear, concise reports; assist personnel with fieldwork; work independently; and be self-motivated, patient, and respectful. Preferred qualifications: Pursuing a degree in environmental, civil, chemical, mechanical, or related engineering majors, and knowledge of computer spreadsheet development, word processing, and fundamental physics and chemistry.

Collection System Program

This position seeks environmental, civil, mechanical, or related engineering majors to assist with collection system design and construction projects. This position will work with engineering and survey staff to replace and improve critical infrastructure in surrounding cities, using open-cut installation and trenchless technologies such as cured-in-place lining, pipe bursting, and horizontal directional drilling. Typical work includes determining and verifying field conditions; performing engineering calculations and data analysis; conducting field surveys; researching equipment and construction methods; preparing design details for project drawings; and assisting design and construction management teams. Projects currently under design and construction involve the replacement and rehabilitation of sewer pipelines, maintenance access hole structures, and various improvements in the collection system and pumping stations.

Treatment Plant Program

This position seeks environmental, civil, chemical, mechanical, or related engineering majors to assist the Capital Projects Treatment Plant Group in treatment plant design and construction projects. This position will work with engineering and treatment plant operations staff to replace and improve critical infrastructure in an active wastewater treatment plant. Typical work includes determining and verifying field conditions; performing engineering calculations and data analysis; conducting field surveys; researching equipment and construction methods; preparing design details for project drawings; and assisting design and construction management teams. Projects currently underway include process, structural, and mechanical system rehabilitation; solids handling facilities planning and design; equipment and piping rehabilitation; energy management; recycled water; safety enhancements; electrical instrumentation and controls upgrades; fire and security alarm systems; and similar projects.

Interested students canclick here to apply. Applicants must attach a cover letter, resume, and unofficial/unlocked copy of transcript(s) to their application to be considered for the program.

Questions about our internship program or the application process can be directed tointern@centralsan.org.