PWD Bureau of Laboratory Services Spring Co-op/Internship - 121

  • Intern

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

  • Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
  • Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
  • Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
  • Benefits - We care about your well-being.


Agency Description

The Philadelphia Water Department is a municipal department of approximately 2500 employees working in all facets to provide water/wastewater treatment services to the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

The Bureau of Laboratory Services performs a variety of regulatory, and non-regulatory, analyses on potable and non-potable water samples from Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Job Description

This full-time internship/co-op position will begin in April 2023 and end in September 2023. Schedules will be determined during the interview. The position will require candidates to work hybrid schedules, which means in-person and remote workdays.

This position is at the Philadelphia Water Department’s General and Nutrient Analysis Lab. The person who takes this position will learn sample preparation and analysis of drinking, waste, and surface waters. These analyses will include but will not be limited to sample preservation, solids analysis, orthophosphate measurement by colorimetry, ammonia sample distillation, ammonia nitrogen measurement with an ion-selective electrode, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen digestion.

Essential Functions

The student will use pipets and micro-pipets, graduated cylinders, ovens, furnaces, balances, heating blocks, distillation and digestion apparatus, spectrophotometers, and more. The student will be responsible for their samples concerning standard prep, record-keeping, reporting and approving data, and cleaning their equipment and glassware. Formal training will include lab safety, state and federal drinking water and wastewater regulations, quality assurance requirements, and the chemistry involved with the analyses performed in the lab. Informal training will deal with the functions of drinking and wastewater plants, watershed health, and how results generated by the central lab effect (and are affected by) decisions made at the plants and in the field. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

General laboratory skills including the use of pipets, graduated cylinders, volumetric flasks, balances, etc.  Attention to detail and time management skills are very important, as is an understanding of and adherence to laboratory safety protocols.

Qualifications

Preferred Majors:

Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume.

Hourly Rate: $18 - $20

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx