Chemist Intern (Chemical Engineer) Industrial Services

Clean Harbors, Inc.; Sumter, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 2,480,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

Clean Harbors Sumter is offering a Chemistry Intern position for the Summer 2027 Internship Program. Start dates are May 17th or May 24th, 2027, with a pay rate of $20.00 per hour and on-site work at 279 Progress St, Sumter, SC.

The program emphasizes safety, hands-on learning, and exposure to environmental and industrial services. Interns will support field teams, engage in meaningful projects, and participate in training sessions to gain practical experience in environmental services.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Interest in environmental services industry.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a professional team.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or other relevant tools.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize Health and Safety and follow all safe work practices.
• Build relationships by engaging with field teams and leaders.
• Assist with timekeeping review, project management, and job execution.
• Perform wet bench chemistry and analytical testing under supervision.
• Support pre-job engineering preparation and documentation.
• Conduct technical research to support projects.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

MS Office

Education

Pursuing degree in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Opportunity

Clean Harbors Sumter is seeking a Chemistry Intern to join our safety-focused team. This internship provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while supporting real projects that contribute to business priorities across our environmental, energy, and industrial services operations. This opportunity is for our Summer 2027 Internship Program.

Start Date:

Start Dates for our Summer 2027 internships are May 17th and May 24th of 2027

Why Intern with Clean Harbors?

• Health and Safety is our #1 priority and we live it 3-6-5!
• Competitive Pay - Earn $20.00 per hour while gaining industry experience.
• Clean Harbors offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working alongside professionals who are leading the way in environmental, energy, and industrial services.

Our internship program is designed to provide:

• Engagement with teams, mentors, and leaders across the organization;
• Experience through meaningful projects that support real business priorities;
• Education about the environmental services industry and Clean Harbors' operations;
• Exposure to different career paths across our lines of business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring that Health and Safety is the number one priority by complying with all safe work practices, policies, and processes and acting in a safe manner at all times;
• Building trusting relationships throughout the branch by spending time in the field and getting to know the critical challenges to growing the business firsthand;
• Assist with basic timekeeping review, project management, and job execution;
• Perform wet bench chemistry testing and analytical testing under supervision;
• Support pre-job engineering preparation and documentation;
• Conducting technical research to support project management activities;
• Support day-to-day operations within the team by assisting with assigned tasks and projects under supervision;
• Participate in team meetings, job briefings, and training sessions to build an understanding of the business;
• Communicate progress, questions, and issues to the manager or assigned mentor during regular check-ins;
• Complete a presentation at the end of the internship highlighting work completed and lessons learned;
• Any other responsibilities given based on your internship program agenda.

QUALIFICATIONS

What does it take to intern with Clean Harbors?

• Currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering at an accredited college or university;
• Strong interest in learning about the environmental services industry;
• Ability to work collaboratively in a professional team environment;
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or other relevant technical tools.

Want to learn more about starting your career with Clean Harbors?

As a Clean Harbors intern, you will gain hands-on experience working alongside field teams and operational leaders who support environmental and industrial services across North America. Your day may include time at a facility or project site, participating in safety briefings, observing operational processes, and learning how teams safely manage environmental services and hazardous materials.

Interns may also assist with project coordination, review operational data, and support team initiatives that help keep operations running safely and efficiently. Throughout the internship, you will gain practical exposure to the people, processes, and safety culture that drive Clean Harbors' work in the field.

About Clean Harbors:

40-years of sustainability in action. At Clean Harbors, our mission is to create a safer, cleaner environment through the treatment, recycling, and disposal of hazardous materials. Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy, and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Everywhere industry meets environment, Clean Harbors is on-site, providing premier environmental, energy, and industrial services. We are solving tough problems through innovation and proven methodology. Come be part of the solution with us.

Clean Harbors is an equal opportunity employer.

Clean Harbors is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [e-mail] or 1-844-922-5547.

Clean Harbors is a Military & Veteran friendly company.

Clean Harbors is committed to complying with applicable pay transparency laws and ensuring fair and equitable compensation. The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this role. Final compensation may vary based on factors such as location, experience, skills, and business needs. In addition to the base salary, some roles may be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Job Identification: 165145

Category: Field Technicians

Posting Date: 2026-09-21

Job Schedule: Full time

Regular or Temporary: Temporary

Job Function: Environmental Technicians

Locations: 279 Progress St, Bldgs 1-2/4-6

Pay Range: 14.90 - 34.62 Hourly