Safety Intern Summer 2027

Packaging Corporation of America; Counce (TN); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

401k eligibility

Life, AD&D, and disability coverage

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) seeks a safety intern for the Counce, TN mill through the co-op program. The role focuses on developing and implementing accident prevention programs, conducting site safety audits, and ensuring compliance with occupational safety regulations.

You will work under a CSP and the Health & Safety team, gaining hands-on experience with noise/air monitoring, permitting, and safety communications across engineers and operators.

Qualifications

• Completed 2 years of coursework toward BA/BS in Occupational Health and Safety
• Minimum 3.0 GPA and permanent U.S. resident

Responsibilities

• Safety auditing and inspections
• Special projects
• Working around the PSM areas
• Learn and improve safety systems in place
• Noise and air monitoring
• Create and present on safety topics

Skills

Safety auditing

Risk assessment

Team communication

Education

BA/BS in Occupational Health and Safety

GPA 3.0 minimum

Permanent U.S. resident

Tools

Noise monitoring

Air monitoring

PSM systems

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People

• Customers
• Trust

People

• Customers
• Trust

At Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), we think of ourselves as more than a box manufacturer. We are an ideas and solutions company. We seek to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. It just happens to be that corrugated products are our area of expertise.

At PCA, you’ll find the best people in the industry operating in a “golden rule” culture. We actively promote mutually rewarding relationships with each other and our customers by advocating respect for every individual, ethical and fair practices, and the highest standards in what we say and do. PCA is proud to have a highly skilled and experienced team leading the way.

As one of the largest producers of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the U.S., PCA offers customers broad expertise and economies of scale, while our multiple plant locations let us rapidly meet the local needs of our customers.

Counce, TN Mill Intern Occupational Health and Safety

This position is for a summer intern starting May 2027 with the understanding that you sign up through the co‑op program at your university.

The purpose of this position is to develop and implement programs for accident prevention: conduct site safety audits; make recommendations for compliance with regulations pertaining to occupational and environmental safety, health and fire prevention; and work with employees to implement accident prevention measures.

Responsibilities Include

As a safety intern you will work to evaluate, anticipate and implement controls and processes for risk reduction and accident prevention. Under the direction of a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Health and Safety team you will conduct site safety audits; make recommendations for compliance with regulations pertaining to occupational and environmental safety, health and fire prevention; and work with employees to implement control measures. You will have an opportunity to work with noise and air monitoring equipment, auditing tools and become familiar with permitting processes such as confined space and hot work activities. You will interface with the entire mill and be asked to communicate with all levels within the organization, from engineers to operators working with the equipment to gain a better understanding of work practices and analyze specific situations. You will be able to work with others to generate presentations or presentable information for specific audiences.

The co‑op will work at the Counce, TN mill with the Mill Health & Safety group.

• Safety auditing and inspections
• Special projects
• Working around the PSM areas
• Learn and improve safety systems in place
• Noise and air monitoring
• Create and present on safety topics

Basic Qualifications

Must have completed 2 years of course work with a 3.0 GPA towards a BA/BS degree majoring in Occupational Health and Safety or a related field with a 3.0 minimum GPA and must be a permanent U.S. resident.

Preferred: Students that sign up for interviews through University during the Career Fairs and On-Campus Interview days will be given first consideration.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories

Compensation And Benefits

• Starting salary range for position: $24.00
• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre‑tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer