Laboratory Technician Intern

American Water; Belleville (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

American Water's Central Laboratory offers a Laboratory Technician Intern position to gain hands-on experience supporting drinking water testing programs and environmental analyses. The role provides exposure to analytical methods across inorganic/organic parameters and collaboration with chemists and QA staff.

The internship emphasizes learning to operate instruments like GC, HPLC, IC, ICP, ICPMS, GCMS and LCMS, with data management in Excel and LIMS, and involvement in PFAS and other emerging

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a degree program in Chemistry or Environmental fields.
• Interest in water quality testing and environmental science.
• Willingness to learn and perform laboratory duties in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with sample preparation and analyses for drinking water and environmental samples.
• Learn to operate and troubleshoot laboratory instruments (GC, HPLC, IC, ICP/ICPMS, GCMS/LCMS).
• Perform data review, QC checks, and documentation per SOPs and regulatory requirements.
• Use Excel and LIMS for data management and reporting.
• Support with PFAS, cyanotoxin, and other emerging contaminants projects.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Microsoft Excel

LIMS

Education

Enrolled in degree program

Tools

GC

HPLC

IC

ICP

ICPMS

GCMS

LCMS

Job description

Laboratory Technician Intern

Posting Start Date: 10/8/26

Job Description

Compensation Data

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. The expected pay range for this position is between $18.00 per hour and $28.00 per hour. If you are hired at American Water your compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, candidate's program year, discipline, and degree. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

This Lab Technician Internship experience will introduce you to exciting career opportunities in the environmental laboratory and water quality field. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience supporting drinking water testing programs that help protect public health and the environment.

The candidate will work alongside chemists, laboratory technicians, and quality assurance personnel in American Water's Central Laboratory. The laboratory supports drinking water compliance testing, operational monitoring, and emerging contaminant investigations across multiple states.

Key Accountabilities

Typical duties are diverse and designed around the student's education and experience level.

• The successful candidate may assist with sample preparation and laboratory analyses for drinking water and environmental samples while learning analytical methods used for inorganic, organic, PFAS, cyanotoxin, and other water quality parameters.
• Responsibilities may include supporting the operation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation such as GC, HPLC, IC, ICP, ICPMS, GCMS and LCMS. The student may also perform data review, quality control checks, and documentation in accordance with laboratory standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Additional assignments may involve utilizing Microsoft Excel, laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and other data management tools, assisting with technical reports, supporting quality assurance activities, conducting literature reviews on emerging contaminants and analytical methods.
• Depending on the candidate's education and experience level, duties may also include assisting with laboratory process improvement initiatives, supporting the implementation of new analytical methods and instrumentation, developing training materials and laboratory documentation, and assisting with special projects related to PFAS, cyanotoxins, microplastics, and other emerging water quality issues.
• The student may also accompany laboratory staff on occasional field sampling events, treatment plant visits, or facility inspections as needed.

Experience & Education

Currently enrolled in a degree program in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biology or Biochemistry.