Utilities Department Internship Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Nature of Work

The Summer Intern position is intended to support plant operations, maintenance, and technical staff within the City of Appleton Department of Utilities. This position provides hands-on exposure to municipal water and wastewater treatment processes, infrastructure maintenance, safety practices, and regulatory compliance activities. The internship is designed to provide students with practical experience in public utilities while developing technical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

This is a technical internship position responsible for supporting a wide variety of day-to-day operations and maintenance activities at the Appleton Wastewater Treatment Plant and Appleton Water Treatment Facility. Assignments will vary and may include operational support, inspection tasks, documentation, housekeeping, and project assistance. Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments and may involve exposure to mechanical equipment and varying weather conditions under close supervision and established safety protocols. The intern shall report to the Operations Supervisor of the Utilities Department facility where work is assigned.

Job Functions

JOB FUNCTIONS
 

• Assist Plant Operators and Relief Operators on an as-needed basis with a variety of job duties related to facility maintenance. 
• Assist with sampling and laboratory-related activities under supervision
• Under the direction of the Environmental Programs Coordinator, assist with off-site soil testing and compost monitoring
• Support housekeeping and facility organization efforts
• Observe and support safety practices, including confined space and lockout/tagout awareness
• Provide general support for small operational or maintenance projects
• Attend safety briefings and team meetings
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements of Work

This position requires the applicant:
 

• Be enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program with a focus on science or environmental studies.
• Maintain regular punctual attendance.
• Hold and maintain a valid Wisconsin driver license 
• Be at least eighteen years of age.

Knowledge applied in this position includes but is not limited to:
 

• Wastewater and/or drinking water treatment plant operations and processes.
• Mechanical systems including large capacity pumps, engines, drives, and control mechanisms.
• State and Federal regulation governing operation of wastewater and/or drinking water treatment plants.

An applicant for this position must have the following abilities:
 

• Work independently with minor supervision.
• Read engineering drawing and utilize operations and maintenance manuals.
• Understand and follow oral or written instructions.
• Maintain effective relations with other employees and deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Withstand various weather conditions, fumes, odors, and dust generally associated with wastewater and drinking water treatment processes.
• Perform tasks which require frequent standing, climbing, reaching, squatting, bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying.
• Perform all duties in a safe manner consistent with department and city safety policies and procedures.