Environmental Compliance Summer Intern

The City of Midland Utilities Department offers a hands-on summer internship for students interested in exploring careers related to science, environmental protection, water and wastewater quality, and laboratory management. This internship provides high school and early college students the opportunity to gain exposure to how laboratories help protect public health and the environment. Interns will work alongside laboratory scientists and quality assurance professionals who monitor drinking water and wastewater to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Through this experience, interns will observe how environmental laboratories operate, how water quality is monitored, and how quality assurance and compliance systems ensure that testing results remain accurate and reliable. This internship is designed to help students explore potential career paths in environmental science, laboratory sciences, regulatory compliance, engineering, and public utilities while gaining insight into the role municipal laboratories play in protecting community health.

Budgetary Responsibilities
None

Under the guidance of laboratory staff and the Quality Assurance Coordinator, interns may:
• Learn how drinking water and wastewater laboratories help protect public health and the environment.
• Assist staff with organizing and reviewing laboratory records and quality control data.
• Observe and support laboratory testing processes used to evaluate drinking water and wastewater samples.
• Help organize calibration records, laboratory logs, and other documentation used to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Assist with reviewing laboratory procedures and documentation to ensure accurate recordkeeping.
• Participate in the development or improvement of laboratory documents such as forms, procedures, or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Support internal reviews of laboratory processes and documentation.
• Assist with compiling information used in regulatory reports and compliance documentation.
• Participate in research activities related to environmental regulations, laboratory testing methods, and scientific equipment.
• Gain exposure to laboratory safety practices and quality assurance systems used in environmental laboratories.
• Prepare and deliver a brief end-of-summer presentation summarizing key lessons learned during the internship. The presentation should highlight exposure to laboratory operations, environmental compliance, and quality assurance activities, and include constructive feedback or observations about the internship experience.
The internship emphasizes learning, exploration, and professional development, allowing students to better understand how science, public health, and environmental protection intersect in municipal utilities.

Internship Learning Outcomes
By the end of the internship, participants are expected to gain a better understanding of:
• How environmental laboratories support public health and regulatory compliance.
• The role of quality assurance and quality control systems in maintaining reliable laboratory results.
• How state and federal regulations influence water quality monitoring and environmental protection.
• Basic documentation and recordkeeping practices used in scientific and regulatory environments.
• Career pathways related to environmental science, laboratory management, engineering, and public utilities.

Program Benefit
This internship provides students with a unique opportunity to learn how science, environmental protection, and public service work together to protect the community’s water resources. Participants will gain valuable exposure to environmental laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance systems used in municipal utilities.

Physical and Environmental Conditions
This internship may involve time spent in laboratory environments, office settings, and occasionally visiting operational facilities.
Participants should be able to:
• Sit, stand, and move between work areas.
• Travel between nearby facilities as needed with supervision.
• Lift or carry light office materials such as binders or files.

Laboratory environments may include exposure to:
• Scientific equipment and laboratory chemicals
• Water and wastewater samples
• Mechanical equipment and operational facilities
• Outdoor conditions when visiting field locations
All safety procedures and appropriate supervision will be provided

Ideal candidates should demonstrate:

• Curiosity about science, environmental protection, or public utilities

• Interest in careers related to laboratory science, environmental compliance, engineering, or public health

• Ability to follow written procedures and instructions

• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office or similar programs)

• Attention to detail and organization skills

• Ability to communicate and work respectfully with staff and supervisors

• Interest in learning how regulations help protect water quality and public health

No prior laboratory experience is required.

Minimum Education Requirements

• Current high school student (junior or senior), recent high school graduate, or early college student (freshman or sophomore).

• Interest in science, environmental studies, engineering, public health, or related fields is encouraged.