Health & Safety / Industrial Hygiene Internship

Job Description

Internship: Health & Safety / Industrial Hygiene

Why You Should Apply for This Internship

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are dedicated to providing outstanding internship opportunities that celebrate excellence and promote safe production, all within a culture guided by our core values. As an intern, you will join a collaborative environment, gaining essential skills and hands-on experience that will pave the way for a successful future career in the mining industry.

Program Overview

Our internship program is specifically designed for full-time students currently enrolled at an accredited four-year university and recent graduates (within 12 months prior to internship start date) in North America. These are temporary, full-time, paid positions that typically run for 10-12 weeks, from May through August.

Important Note: This position is not eligible for Freeport-McMoRan immigration work visa sponsorship.

Where You Will Work

Interns will be assigned to various locations across the United States, supporting our business operations in a diverse range of disciplines. Potential work locations include:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• New Mexico
• Texas
• Iowa

What You Will Do

Over the course of your 10-12 week internship, you will have the unique opportunity to work directly with a dedicated mentor in Health & Safety and/or Industrial Hygiene. You’ll be challenged to find solutions to real-world problems, contributing meaningfully to our operations. Expect to:

• Collaborate with Leadership: Interact directly with company leaders to discuss tactical steps for reducing workplace exposure and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
• Develop Future Leadership: Gain critical skills and knowledge essential for becoming a future leader in the mining industry.
• Network Professionally: Build a lasting professional network through engaging social events and activities.

Industrial Hygiene Focus

Industrial Hygienists play a critical role in evaluating and reducing workplace exposures to physical and chemical hazards. As part of your internship, you will gain extensive hands-on experience in:

• Environmental Sampling: Collecting samples of air, vapors, diesel particulate matter (DPM), acid mist, and dust for analysis across various environments including mine, processing, and downstream processing operations.
• Data Analysis: Assisting in the analysis of industrial hygiene data to identify trends and potential risks.
• Process Understanding: Working alongside experienced health & safety professionals and hygienists to understand diverse mining, processing, or manufacturing processes and their associated hazards.
• Field Monitoring: Utilizing a range of data collection and monitoring equipment in the field, such as dosimeters, air sampling pumps, field chemical testing kits, and radiation detectors.
• Compliance & Solutions: Helping to increase compliance with safety regulations and developing innovative solutions for exposure reduction.
• Surveys & Assessments: Assisting with conducting personal noise dosimetry and ventilation surveys for employees.
• Safety Compliance: Evaluating areas for adherence to safety compliance standards.
• Hazard Control Implementation: Collaborating with operations and site leadership to implement effective hazard controls.
• Program Development: Contributing to the creation of sustaining health & safety programs.
• Regulatory Application: Assisting groups with safety-related concerns, applying regulatory standards (e.g., PELs, TLVs), reporting findings, and providing recommendations to eliminate and/or control safety and health hazards.
• Project-Based Learning: Engaging in projects specifically related to assessing the impact a particular job or work environment could have on employee health and well-being, including evaluating potential physical or chemical exposure risks and mitigation methods.
• Other Duties: Performing additional duties as required to support the Health & Safety and Industrial Hygiene teams.

What You Bring To Freeport

To be considered for this invaluable internship experience, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Educational Background:
  • Currently enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year university pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher in Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a closely related field; OR
  • A recent graduate (within 12 months prior to internship start date) with a bachelor’s degree or higher in Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a closely related field.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Analytical Acumen: Possesses strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to Detail: Highly accurate and detail-oriented.
• Communication Skills: Possesses strong oral and written communication skills.
• Work Ethic: Demonstrates initiative, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work well under pressure.
• Team Player: Demonstrates the ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team environment.

What We Offer

We are committed to providing a rewarding and enriching internship experience, including:

• Competitive Compensation: The estimated pay range for this role is currently $24.50 – $30.50 per hour. Individual pay rates will be based on the level of education and relevant experience.
• Hands-On Experience: Direct, practical experience in a dynamic and innovative environment.
• Impactful Projects: Opportunity to work on meaningful projects and initiatives that drive impact across the organization.
• Broad Exposure: Exposure to various aspects of business operations across our North America sites.
• Skill Development: Ability to develop and enhance technical and analytical skills.
• Mentorship: Dedicated mentorship and professional development opportunities.

What We Require

This role may involve working in challenging environments and requires certain physical and safety capabilities:

• Language Proficiency: Ability to understand, apply, and communicate verbal and written work and safety-related instructions, procedures, job assignments, and applicable safety standards in English.
• Work Management: Must be able to multi-task, work under pressure, and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Work Environment: Work is typically in an office, mine, or manufacturing plant setting, which may include exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity, moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, toxic chemicals, explosives, fumes, or airborne particles.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, demonstrate manual dexterity, climb stairs and ladders, work on elevated platforms, talk, hear, and see. Occasionally may be required to lift moderately heavy objects up to thirty (30) pounds during the workday.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Required when performing work in a mine, outdoor, manufacturing, or plant environment. This includes hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and as needed, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves, and any other protective equipment as required.
• Drug/Alcohol-Free Workplace: Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing and ongoing random drug testing as per applicable state laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please be advised Freeport-McMoRan will never request payment for job-related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to HRSC@fmi.com.