Engineering Intern

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia Water Department is a municipal department of approximately 2500 employees working in all facets to provide water/wastewater treatment services to the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The Philadelphia Water Department's Materials Analysis Section (MAS) has the major function of doing chemical testing on items purchased by the City of Philadelphia. MAS also includes a research section where a variety of special projects are performed. Microplastics is one important project.

Job Description

Position Summary

The intern will focus on projects involving microplastics in river and drinking water as well as studying the formation of disinfection byproducts. Additionally, the intern will test a new instrument that measures drinking water contaminants much faster than conventional methods. Samples will be collected and processed using established techniques, including jar tests, bench-top instruments, and field sampling. Data science will be an important tool to review historical data and organize new data. An opportunity will be available to create a self-driven research project to study a certain aspect of drinking or river water. The position will be under the guidance of senior scientists.

This is an in-office position.

Essential Functions

Learning Objectives

The intern will develop skills in:

• Chemistry and physics of microplastic analysis.
• Sample collection and processing.
• Microscopy and infrared analysis.
• Documenting lab work and producing reports.
• Participating in field trips to use the online instrument.

This position focusing on the regional distribution of specific microplastic particles in local streams; which involves collecting water samples, preparing them, and identifying microplastics using microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. It offers hands-on experience in environmental water quality research and advanced analytical techniques. The intern will be mentored by two chemists at PWD’s main lab and will have opportunities to develop a research project related to microplastics in streams and drinking water.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Tasks include sample collection, analysis, and statistical comparison with traditional methods. Part of the work involves collaborating with a chemist to study changes in the fluorescence of water organic matter and its relation to specific drinking water contaminants. This work will take place at the Philadelphia Water Department's (PWD) main lab.

Qualifications

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Proficiency with basic software such as Excel and Word.
• Familiarity with programming languages for data analysis (e.g., R, Python).
• Laboratory experience and interest in lab instruments.
• Basic knowledge of statistics
• Enjoys learning new skills and doesn't mind the field trips to the online instrument.
• Relevant majors: Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Ecology, Forensic Science

The internship typically lasts 3–6 months and is open to students at the intermediate or advanced level (sophomore, junior or senior students).

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume

Hourly Rate: $18.00 per hour

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx