Student Intern - Water Reuse (District Temp-PT)

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California offers a Water Reuse Student Internship in its Water Quality Section at the Pure Water Southern California Demonstration Plant in Carson, CA. This in-person role provides hands-on engineering, field, and laboratory experience under experienced mentors.

The position emphasizes learning, teamwork, and time management in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to work with process engineers and technicians on WRPD projects.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university with sophomore or junior standing and 12 semester units or 8 quarter units, GPA 2.75+ on a 4.0 scale.
• Must be enrolled in Civil, Chemical, Chemistry, or Environmental Engineering with about two years remaining before graduation and GPA 2.75+.

Responsibilities

• Interpret Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) to review treatment designs and document active processes.
• Assist with sample collection, preparation, and routine water quality testing.
• Maintain lab cleanliness and comply with SOPs while handling chemicals safely.
• Assist with literature research, technical report writing, and document editing.

Skills

Lab safety practices

PFD interpretation

SOP adherence

Windows software

Lab measurements

Team player

Education

Civil/Environmental/Chemical Engineering or related

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Job description

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people—and toaccomplishthis,we rely onateam of Talented Employees: innovators, problem-solvers, andcollaboratorswho make it all possible.

We’re offering a dynamic Water Reuse Student Internship within its Water Quality Section. This in-person role provides hands‑on engineering, field, and laboratory experience at the Pure Water Southern California Demonstration Plant located in Carson, CA. The intern will work directly under the guidance of water quality technicians, specialists, and process engineers to support the Water Reuse and Process Development (WRPD) Team.

In this position, you’ll gain training and mentoring in an assigned area of responsibility performing assignments that serve to offer practical experience and broad exposure to MWD’s Water Reuse and Process Development (WRPD) structure.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working with customers, willingness to learn, manage time effectively, comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment with guidance, and have an ability to work both independently and as part of a team while demonstrating commitment and patience.

What You'll Do

Field & Laboratory Operations

• Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) : Gain expert‑level experience in interpreting PFDs to review treatment designs and document active treatment processes.
• Hands‑on Testing : Assist with sample collection, sample preparation, and routine water quality testing.
• Lab Maintenance : Handle chemicals safely while maintaining laboratory cleanliness, organization, and strict compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Technical Writing: Assist with literature research, technical report writing, and document editing.

Desirable Skills and Abilities (specific to this position):

• Experience handling chemicals in the laboratory
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices
• Experience following standard operating procedures
• Experience using computer software in a Microsoft Windows environment
• Familiarity with chemical/physical instrumentation and laboratory measurement techniques
• Knowledge of general laboratory calculations
• Self‑motivated team player able to work effectively with minimal supervision

Work Location: Pure Water Southern California inside the Los Angeles County Sanitation District (LACSD)’s A. K. Warren Water Resource Facility in Carson.

WORK SCHEDULE:

• (PART TIME – ONSITE) Monday through Friday 8–10 hours per week (scheduled in blocks of at least 4 hours between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) No Hybrid Schedule.
• The length of the term will be determined based on the student’s class schedule, availability, and employer needs.

This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.

Employment Standards Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Current enrollment in an accredited four‑year college or university carrying a minimum of 12 semester units or 8 quarter units with sophomore or junior standing in a related major and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or current enrollment in an accredited graduate degree program in a related major with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.

Relevant Experience:

Must currently be enrolled in an accredited four‑year degree program in Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Environmental Engineering. A minimum overall GPA of 2. 7 5 in relevant coursework (i.e., chemistry, mathematics, physics, etc.) is required. Sophomore or junior status with approximately two years remaining before graduation is required.

Certifications, Licenses, And Registration Requirements

License(s)

Valid California Class C Driver’s License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.

About Mwd The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state‑established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource‑management programs.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call [phone] or email: [e-mail].

Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).

Application Filing Period: Closes at 11:59 pm PST on the date stated in the job announcement. However it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part‑time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.

Sponsorship: Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment‑based immigration case).