Intern Operations

American Water; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water in Iowa invites students to apply for a Water Quality Internship. You will gain hands-on experience in a regulated utility and work with professionals to support environmental management and water quality activities.

Join a large national company committed to safety, accessibility, and community impact. You will learn monitoring, data analysis, reporting, and regulatory compliance across facilities.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an Environmental Science, Biology, or Chemistry undergraduate program.
• Minimum of 1 year of completed coursework.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Interest in water quality and environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Gain firsthand experience in how water utilities support communities.
• Collaborate with professionals on environmental management and water quality activities.
• Implement and manage monitoring and reporting programs to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Conduct advanced sampling and analysis of water.
• Analyze data and develop reports, including water quality records.
• Resolve water quality and treatment issues at production facilities.
• Handle and document water quality complaints.
• Assist operations staff with data collection and evaluation.

Skills

Detail-Oriented

Independent Worker

Collaborative

Communication

Organizational Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Lab Experience Advantage

Education

Environmental Science

Biology

Chemistry

Tools

Databases

Software

Computer Programs

Job description

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different . We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

Launch Your Career in Water Quality with Iowa American Water!

About the Internship: Join Iowa American Water as a Water Quality Intern and explore exciting career opportunities in the water and wastewater field. As the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., American Water (NYSE: AWK) has been providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable services since 1886. We serve over 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. Our 7,000 professionals leverage their expertise and our national scale to deliver excellent results for customers, employees, investors, and stakeholders.

Why American Water?

• Growth and Investment: We plan to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure over the next decade.
• Sustainability and Community: We are committed to safety, affordability, customer service, environmental protection, workforce inclusivity, and community strengthening.
• Recognition: Featured on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, and recipients of multiple national awards.

Learn More: Visit amwater.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Key Accountabilities

• Gain firsthand experience in how water utilities support communities and ensure sustainability.
• Collaborate with professionals to assist with environmental management and water quality activities for assigned facilities, ensuring compliance with all water quality and environmental regulations.

Key Tasks:

• Implement and manage monitoring and reporting programs to ensure compliance with federal and state water quality/environmental regulations and company standards.
• Conduct advanced sampling and analysis of water.
• Analyze data and develop reports, including interpreting water quality reports and records.
• Resolve water quality and treatment issues at full-scale production facilities and distribution systems.
• Handle and document water quality complaints.
• Assist operations staff in water and wastewater facilities with routine production activities, including data collection and evaluation.

Knowledge/Skills

• Detail-Oriented: Conduct thorough analyses and evaluations and implement timely decisions and recommendations.
• Independent Worker: Manage time across multiple projects and deadlines.
• Collaborative: Seek input and coordinate with staff.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Technical Proficiency: Good working knowledge of computer programs, databases, and software.
• Organizational Skills: Demonstrated organizational and administrative abilities.
• Analytical Skills: Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Previous Lab experience is a plus

Experience/Education

• Enrollment in an Environmental Science, Biology, or Chemistry undergraduate degree program from an accredited school.
• Minimum of 1 years of completed coursework.

Other

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to pass a background check.

We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and join us in making a difference in our communities.

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing ™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they arean individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.