Wastewater Plant Process Engineering Intern

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District protects public health and the environment by leading effective wastewater and stormwater management. As the largest wastewater treatment provider in the State of Ohio, the Sewer District spans 380 square miles, serves 63 communities and one million residents, and treats 90 billion gallons of wastewater a year.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

This internship offers hands-on field experience within one or more of our wastewater treatment facilities. Interns will work direction with plant engineering staff, contributing to a range of projects focused on engineering investigations, system analysis, design implementation and process control optimization. The position is designed to support the delivery of efficient, reliable, and environmentally responsible plant operations. The co-op is full-time for 6 months (June 2026-December 2026).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Equipment Condition Assessment
  
  
  
  • Field investigations to confirm equipment performance.
  • Business case analysis for replacement vs. repair.
  • Coordination with vendors and suppliers.
  
  
  
  
• Plant Optimization Studies
  
  
  
  • Sampling and testing of wastewater process.
  • Determining optimal chemical feed to meet operational standards.
  • Preparing reports and memos supporting findings and recommendations.
  
  
  
  
• Process Analysis
  
  
  
  • Monitor and document process control parameters and objectives for each treatment process assigned.
  • Evaluates process and report when parameters are not within control range.
  • Develop recommendations for corrective action.
  • Review data, prepare operational trends and perform analysis to evaluate correlation between operational decisions and treatment outcomes.
  • Prepare reports and presentation material.
  • Actively participate in meetings.
  
  
  
  
• Process and Hydraulic Modeling
  
  
  
  • Assist staff with the research and analysis to build models required to analyze plant operational efficiency.
  • Test models to understand operational changes that support better process efficiency.
  
  
  
  

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Academic Status/Standing:

• Candidate must be enrolled in school or must have graduated within 24 months from the date of application.

Field of Study:

• Declared Majors: Civil Engineering

Degree Program Levels:

Any of the following degree program levels may qualify

• Junior
• Senior
• Graduate Student
• Graduate

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate must be able to commit to a fixed-term assignment of 6 months with an option to extend at NEORSD's discretion.
• Candidate must possess effective written and verbal communication, organizational skills and decision-making abilities.
• Candidate must be detail oriented and have effective project and time management skills.
• Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint) and familiar with project tools (MS Project or Primavera preferred.)
• Candidate must possess a valid driver's license with a driving record in accordance with the District's acceptable guidelines.

The District requires protective footwear (i.e., steel or composite-toed) when working in the plants, pump stations, construction sites, public rights-of-way and other posted areas. New hires are required to have protective footwear, meeting the following criteria, on the first day of employment: 1) Must be ANSI 241-1999 or ASTM F-2412/2413 (2005) certified, 2) Must have a steel or composite protective toe, 3) Must be, at a minimum, a 6" work boot or 6" hiker-style boot (Note: shoes are not permitted), 4) Must have a slip-resistant sole. It is also recommended, but not required, that footwear be waterproof and have included a shank to protect the bottom of the foot.

Pay Range: USD, Commensurate based on level of Education

• Undergraduate: $19.82
• Graduate: $21.85

Our Employee Benefits & Wellness Programs
We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package including Health Insurance Coverage, Various Retirement Planning Options (Ohio Public Employee Retirement System and Deferred Compensation Plans), Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Free Parking at our facilities, Corporate Discounts, and more! We also have an active Health & Wellness Program that promotes a life/work balance.

DISCLAIMER: The information outlined in this job description indicates the general nature and type of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities or competencies required of employees within this classification.

This internship is a temporary position, this position comes with no express or implied guarantee of future employment beyond the assignment period. This potion is governed by all applicable NEORSD administrative policies, practices and procedures related to temporary employees.