Water Quality Intern

Job Description

Water Quality Intern | City of Thornton

The Tone:
This is a summer internship at City of Thornton, located in Thornton, CO. The role focuses on essential laboratory and field work within the Water Quality division. This position contributes directly to monitoring and ensuring the quality of the city’s water resources through hands-on testing and data management. It’s a key opportunity for individuals interested in applying scientific principles in a public service context.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Full-time, 30-40 hours a week, approximately 12 weeks, May through August
• Location: Thornton, CO
• Pay: $15.65–$31.06 hourly
• Mission: To support the Water Quality team by performing essential sampling, laboratory testing, and data management to maintain water quality standards.
• Tech Stack: Computer database, field testing equipment, standard office software, Windows, Word, Excel

What You’ll Actually Do
• Sampling: Perform scheduled collection of raw water, well, and sludge samples from various water resource sites.
• Lab Analysis: Conduct a range of laboratory and field analyses, including pH, temperature, residual chlorine titrations, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and secchi disk depth readings.
• Data Management: Enter field and laboratory data into a computer database daily and complete chain of custody documentation for samples.
• Logistics: Prepare, pick up, preserve, and deliver water and sludge samples for internal and external laboratory analyses.
• Lab Support: Assist with laboratory equipment cleaning, maintenance, calibration of field meters, and inventory management.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Candidates should possess a high school diploma or GED. Intern II roles require progress toward completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field, while Intern III roles require a bachelor’s degree in a related field or progress toward a master’s degree.
• Experience: No prior work experience is necessary for Intern I positions. For Intern II and III roles, six months to one year of directly related experience in a specific department or field is expected.
• Skills: Proficiency in the use of standard office software, including Windows, Word, and Excel programs. Ability to conduct calculations and data manipulation for reporting purposes, and to understand and interpret various forms of information. Knowledge of data processing procedures and principles for conducting research is also required.