Temporary Data Analytics Intern - Technology & Innovation

This is a part-time assignment that will include field and office work. Hours worked can range between 20 - 25 hours for a period of up to one year, depending on workload and availability of the selected candidate. The intern will be exposed to a mix of office and field environments, with the primary focus being within the Data Analytics branch.

The Technology & Innovation Department (TID) is a growing, dynamic team that operates at the forefront of applied research, process optimization, and technology integration to recover water, energy, and other natural resources. TID is one of the few dedicated innovation teams in the water and resource recovery industry, and we focus on process optimization, piloting, treatability, and data analytics to drive impactful solutions.

TID has four branches:

• Data Analytics
• Instrument Solutions
• Process Engineering
• Technical Communication

This internship will primarily support the Data Analytics group, which plays a critical role in supporting wastewater process optimization through data-driven tools and solutions. The Data Analytics group develops dashboards, reporting tools, data pipelines, and automates data processing workflows to enable data-driven decision-making across Metro’s operations.

General Statement of Duties & Organizational Responsibilities

This is a temporary, part-time internship within the Data Analytics branch of TID. The intern will contribute to the development and optimization of data analytics solutions that enhance Metro’s wastewater process operations and applied research initiatives. This role will be heavily focused on data collection, analysis, automation, and reporting, with a direct impact on supporting wastewater process engineering and technology integration efforts.

Examples of Duties

• Data Collection & Analysis: Support the collection, preprocessing, and analysis of wastewater treatment data to identify trends and opportunities for process optimization.
• Dashboard & App Development: Assist in the development and maintenance of dashboards and applications to visualize key wastewater treatment metrics and improve decision-making.
• ETL & Data Pipelines: Help create and automate ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) workflows to streamline data collection, transformation, and reporting processes.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with the Process Engineering team to align data solutions with operational goals.
• Documentation: Contribute to the documentation of data workflows, system processes, and technical specifications.
• Research Support: Assist in integrating data analytics into applied research and pilot tests, ensuring data-driven decisions are incorporated into experimental designs and operational improvements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of at least three semesters of undergraduate coursework in data science, computer science, engineering, environmental science, or a related field.
• Strong academic performance with demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, data formatting) and introductory knowledge of data analytics tools.
• Familiarity with Python, R, SQL, or similar data analysis languages is a plus.
• A strong interest in data-driven problem solving and applying analytics in the water and wastewater industry.

Desired Qualifications

• Enrollment in or completion of coursework related to data science, statistics, computer science, or a similar quantitative field.
• Experience with data visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) or data analysis tools (e.g., Alteryx, Pi Asset Framework).
• Interest or experience in data automation, process optimization, or applied research.

Typical Work Environment
Variety of floor surfaces including concrete, gravel, asphalt, dirt, tile, loose stones, uneven surfaces, slippery surfaces, and wet surfaces; Inside environment; Outside environment all year in all weather conditions and temperatures; Residential and Commercial Wastewater/Biosolids; Chemicals; Lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and low light; and low light; Vibration; Moving equipment; Work in confined spaces

Body Position Demands
Standing; Walking; Climbing stairs; Climbing ladders; Reaching forward and overhead; Balancing; Object handling; Simple hand/ Firm hand grasping; Operating controls; Sitting; Stooping; Kneeling; Crouching; Crawling; Typing; Fine hand coordination

Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 50 lbs
Max Weight Carried: 50 lbs
Max Force Pushed: 94 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 100 lbs

Sensory Requirements
Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision - Near; Depth perception; Color discrimination; Perception - Form; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Vision - near and far; Hearing