Central State Louis Stokes Scholar Intern

INTERNSHIP SUMMARY

The Louis Stokes Scholar Intern will have an opportunity to rotate through several areas of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. During the rotation, the interns will support Operation & Maintenance with research for further optimizing functions of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Renewable Energy Facility. The intern will also support our Water Quality and Industrial Surveillance team with field work support in our service communities.

The intern will assist with various projects throughout the assignment including, but not limited to:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Operation & Maintenance Support

• Assist with researching information for process optimization within a wastewater treatment facility
• Assist with sampling and analyzing data within a wastewater treatment facility
• Assist with public outreach initiatives related to the work of NEORSD
• Develop trends using plant computer monitoring system to assist with operational decisions
• Assist with creating spreadsheets and reports
• Other duties assigned by Deputy Director of Operation & Maintenance

Water Quality & Industrial Surveillance Support

• Conduct daily beach monitoring
• Assist with Environmental Assessment investigations and water quality monitoring
• Assist with Business Programs inspections and wastewater monitoring
• Assist with Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE) investigations
• Assist with Industrial Pretreatment Program facility inspections and industrial wastewater monitoring
• Equipment cleaning and maintenance
• Assist in the laboratory with sample aliquoting and chemical/biological analyses
• Maintain Aquatic organisms (fathead minnows and water fleas) for Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing
• Document field activities in journals and reports
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required by Director of Environmental Services

Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance Support

• Review applications for Member Community Infrastructure Program
• Support Green Infrastructure grants pre-proposal process
• Navigate through NEORSD's GIS resources and tools to understand how assets are tracked
• Build deeper understanding of Environmental Compliance on local, state, and federal safety regulations
• Gain exposure to Regional Stormwater Management Programs' impact to NEORSD and member communities

Engineering and Construction Support

• Performs entry-level engineering and analysis work, utilizing engineering theory and problem-solving skills
• Assists with the review of technical deliverables including design drawings and specifications, technical memoranda, and project data
• Utilizes Excel, SharePoint and Geographic Information System (GIS) to assist with data evaluation and management
• Assists with the development of project scopes, budgets, schedules, reports, memos, correspondence, and PowerPoint presentations
• Assists in the identification of problems, research, evaluation of possible solutions/alternatives, and data analysis
• Reads and interprets design drawings and specifications using engineering theory and construction practices
• Performs field observations as needed to collect data, observe various field conditions and construction & operational activities

Government and Customer Relations Supports

• Outreach and recruitment efforts for Utility Resources Fairs
• Utilize excel for data entry and tracking
• Other tasks as required by the department

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Academic Status/Standing:

• Candidate must be enrolled at Central State University in a bachelor's or master's degree program on the date of application.

Field of Study:

• Declared Majors: Water Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field of study

Degree Program Levels:

Any of the following degree program levels may qualify

• Rising Sophomore
• Sophomore
• Junior
• Senior

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Candidate must be able to commit to a fixed-term assignment of 3 months with an option to extend at NEORSD's discretion.

Candidate must be able to work 40 hours per week Monday through Friday during normal business hours with opportunities to offer extra support on weekends. Work hours will be adjusted as necessary for interns who are enrolled in school.

Candidate must possess a valid driver's license with a driving record in accordance with the District's acceptable guidelines.

This internship provides for a time-limited role at NEORSD with no express or implied guarantee of future employment beyond the assignment period. This position is governed by all applicable NEORSD administrative policies, practices and procedures related to temporary employees.

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.

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.

NEORSD supports the use of hybrid work as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity and better prepares the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for hybrid work. hybrid eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

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.