Chemist or Chemical Engineer Intern - Industrial Services

Clean Harbors, Inc.; Sumter (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay: $20/hour

Job summary

Clean Harbors Sumter is seeking a Chemistry Intern to join our safety-focused team for the Summer 2027 Internship Program. This onsite internship is field-based, with significant time spent in the field alongside our teams and traveling to customer sites to gain hands-on exposure.

Start dates are May 17th or May 24th, 2027. Interns will work with experienced professionals, gain practical skills, and contribute to environmental, energy, and industrial services projects across North America.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Health and Safety is the number one priority by following safe work practices and policies.
• Spend time in the field and in the shop to understand critical challenges and grow the business.
• 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; conduct technical research to support project management.
• 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; communicate progress and issues to the mentor.
• Complete a presentation at the end of the internship highlighting work completed and lessons learned.
• Other responsibilities as per internship program agenda.

Education

Pursuing degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft 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.

As part of our Industrial Services internship program, this opportunity will be based at Thompson Industrial location in Sumter, SC, Powered by Clean Harbors. This is an onsite, field-based internship and is not a remote opportunity. Interns should expect to spend significant time working in the field alongside our teams and traveling to customer and project sites to gain hands‑on exposure to our Industrial Services operations.

Interns will work alongside experienced professionals, gain exposure to our industry, and develop practical skills that support their academic and early career goals.

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.

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.

Pay Range: 14.90 - 34.62 Hourly