WPCA Part Time Student Intern

Town of Fairfield; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Town of Fairfield’s Water Pollution Control Utility (WPCU) seeks a motivated Part-Time Intern to support the WPCF Laboratory with administrative tasks and project work. This paid internship offers exposure to SOPs, QA plans, and environmental compliance within a municipal wastewater facility.

Ideal for students in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related fields, the role emphasizes hands-on experience in laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and sample handling, with

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in science, engineering, or equivalent.
• Second-year completion preferred.
• Available to commit to the full internship session.

Responsibilities

• Learn WPCF Laboratory operations and wastewater treatment basics.
• Assist with SOPs and QA program documents.
• Review procedures for accuracy with staff guidance.
• Research testing methods, equipment instructions, and regulatory requirements.
• Organize laboratory records, calibration data, and documentation.
• Assist with environmental reporting and compliance data.
• Support special projects in wastewater treatment and monitoring.
• Complete projects with lab, operations, and admin staff.

Skills

Local government interest

Written & verbal communication

MS Word

Excel

Organizational skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Lab practices

Water quality basics

Education

Undergraduate science/engineering degree

Second year completed

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Town of Fairfield’s Water Pollution Control Utility (WPCU) is seeking a motivated Part-Time Intern to assist the WPCF Laboratory in various administrative activities. This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in wastewater laboratory operations, environmental compliance, and laboratory quality systems. As part of the WPCF Laboratory, you will undertake a variety of technical and administrative special projects designed to support laboratory operations and regulatory compliance. Projects carried out by this position are not part of the regular routine of the department but are projects of an in‑training service nature designed to provide exposure to the WPCU’s organization and services.

This position is a temporary, part-time, paid internship opportunity available to college or university students with a background in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Laboratory Science, Utility Management or a related field who are seeking experience in municipal wastewater treatment, environmental laboratory operations, and regulatory compliance.

The intern’s duties may include, but not be limited to:

• Learn about WPCF Laboratory operations and how a wastewater treatment facility works.
• Help laboratory staff develop, update, format, and organize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Help develop and maintain Quality Assurance Program Plans (QAPPs) and other laboratory quality documents.
• Review laboratory procedures and documents for accuracy, consistency, and organization with guidance from laboratory staff.
• Research laboratory testing methods, equipment instructions, environmental requirements, and laboratory practices.
• Help organize and/update laboratory records, testing methods, equipment information, calibration records, and other laboratory documents.
• Help laboratory staff organize information used for environmental reporting and compliance.
• Observe and assist with wastewater sampling, laboratory testing, and quality control activities under the guidance of laboratory staff.
• Participate in special projects related to wastewater treatment, environmental monitoring, and laboratory quality.
• Work with laboratory, operations, and administrative staff to complete assigned projects.
• Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

These duties are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a complete or exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications for the position. The Town of Fairfield reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities of job descriptions to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Required Skills

• Interest in learning about local government, utility services, wastewater treatment, and environmental protection.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and similar programs.
• Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple assigned tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with laboratory and WPCU staff.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential or sensitive information and municipal records.
• Basic familiarity with laboratory practices, wet chemistry, or biology such as through college-level laboratory coursework.
• Basic understanding of water quality, environmental science, wastewater treatment, or water pollution control.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Science, Engineering, Utility Management or related field.
• Have completed the second year of your program of study (preferred).
• Can commit to the entire internship session.

Schedule

• Part‑time position with flexible hours.

Part‑time hours will be determined by the intern and their supervisor.

Pay Range

Compensation is hourly, commensurate with experience.

Rising College Freshman - $17.09/hour

Rising College Sophomore -$17.59/hour

Rising College Junior - $18.09/hour

Rising College Senior - $18.59/hour

Affiliation

This is a non-union position.

SPECIAL NOTE

Continued school enrollment is required for continued employment in this title.

THE TOWN OF FAIRFIELD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Town of Fairfield to ensure equal employment opportunity for all employees and to prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or physical and mental disability.