Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Water Intern

💰 $15 - $30 / hour

EnvironmentalWater ResourcesInternship

🎯 Role Definition

The Water Intern supports water resources and environmental teams by assisting with field monitoring, laboratory testing, data management, GIS mapping, regulatory reporting, and community outreach. This position provides hands-on experience in water quality sampling (surface water, groundwater, stormwater, and wastewater), instrument calibration, chain-of-custody procedures, sample preservation, and interpretation of analytical results to support compliance with NPDES, SDWA, and state-level water quality standards. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, safety conscious, eager to learn treatment and monitoring protocols, and capable of translating field observations into clear technical documentation.

Keywords: water intern, water quality intern, environmental intern, stormwater intern, wastewater intern, water resources internship, NPDES, EPA, field sampling, GIS, hydrology, water treatment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Undergraduate student (Environmental Science, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Biology)
  • Volunteer or seasonal field technician or lab assistant supporting water monitoring
  • Recent graduate in environmental studies or related technical certificate programs

Advancement To:

  • Water Resources Technician / Field Technician
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist (NPDES, stormwater, wastewater)
  • Junior Environmental Engineer or Hydrologist
  • Water Quality Analyst or Laboratory Technician

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Technician (environmental focus)
  • Construction inspector for water infrastructure
  • Environmental outreach or education coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist in the design and implementation of routine and event-based water quality monitoring programs, including development of sampling plans, site selection, and scheduling to support regulatory and research objectives.
  • Conduct field sampling of surface water, groundwater, stormwater, and wastewater following EPA-approved methods and documented chain-of-custody procedures, including proper sample preservation, labeling, and transport to analytical laboratories.
  • Perform in-field measurements using portable meters and sondes (pH, DO, conductivity, turbidity, temperature, chlorophyll, and other parameters), ensure instrument calibration and maintenance logs are current, and troubleshoot routine equipment issues.
  • Prepare, process, and analyze water samples in a laboratory setting under supervision, including preparation of reagents, filtration, colorimetric tests, and operation of common analytical instruments (spectrophotometers, Hach kits, BOD incubators).
  • Record, validate, and manage field and laboratory data in electronic databases and spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets), apply quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) checks, and flag anomalies for supervisor review.
  • Support the development and execution of watershed assessments, pollutant source tracking, and sampling for nutrients, bacteria (E. coli/coliforms), metals, pesticides, and emerging contaminants.
  • Assist engineers and scientists in hydraulic and hydrologic data collection (flow gauging, stage/discharge measurements) and help run simple hydrologic/hydraulic models or prepare inputs for models such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, SWMM.
  • Help maintain and calibrate deployed monitoring equipment, telemetry and SCADA connections, data loggers, and remote sensing devices, and contribute to troubleshooting field telemetry and data transmission issues.
  • Conduct stormwater inspections and sampling for construction sites and municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4), document site conditions, and support preparation of inspection reports and corrective action tracking.
  • Assist with compliance monitoring and support preparation of regulatory reports including NPDES permit monitoring reports, discharge monitoring reports (DMRs), and state water quality agency submittals.
  • Support source water assessments and drinking water protection activities, including sampling for primary and secondary contaminants and assisting with sanitary surveys under SDWA guidance.
  • Collect and compile field notes, photographic documentation, GPS coordinates, and chain-of-custody records, ensuring all field data are auditable and traceable for regulatory compliance.
  • Contribute to environmental sampling campaigns related to remediation, brownfield assessments, or contaminant fate-and-transport studies under the supervision of senior staff.
  • Prepare clear, timely technical summaries and standard operating procedure (SOP) updates based on field experience, and draft sections of monitoring plans, methods, and technical reports for client and agency review.
  • Assist with laboratory inventory management, calibrations, consumables ordering, and maintenance of safety data sheets (SDS) and chemical inventory logs to ensure uninterrupted sampling and analysis.
  • Conduct desktop data analysis and visualization using Excel, R, or Python to produce charts, summary statistics, and initial interpretations to support senior analysts and project managers.
  • Support community outreach and stakeholder engagement activities, such as public sampling events, educational workshops, and presentations on water quality findings and best practices.
  • Participate in construction observation and inspection for water infrastructure projects (pipeline, pump stations, treatment units) to document compliance with environmental specifications and erosion control measures.
  • Assist with preparation of grant applications, funding support documents, and technical appendices that summarize monitoring needs, expected outcomes, and budgetary requirements for water resource projects.
  • Implement and follow site-specific health and safety plans, confined space procedures, and PPE requirements while conducting fieldwork near waterways, treatment plants, and construction sites.
  • Conduct bacteriological sampling and follow incubation and colony counting protocols, ensuring QA/QC and adherence to laboratory accreditation standards when applicable.
  • Support pilot testing of treatment technologies (e.g., filtration, disinfection, nutrient removal) by assisting with sampling, parameter monitoring, and documentation of operational adjustments and performance.
  • Aid in asset and permit tracking systems by updating records for monitoring locations, sample points, permit expirations, and equipment maintenance to support long-term program continuity.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, permitting, laboratory services, GIS) to translate field observations into actionable recommendations and scope adjustments for ongoing projects.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities, training sessions on new monitoring technologies, and vendor demonstrations to stay current on methods and instrumentation for water quality and resource management.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Water quality sampling techniques (surface water, groundwater, stormwater, wastewater) and strict adherence to chain-of-custody protocols.
  • Laboratory methods and instrumentation experience: spectrophotometry, Hach DR, BOD/COD, TSS, nutrient analysis (TN/TP), microbiological methods for coliform/E. coli.
  • Field instrumentation and sensor maintenance: multiparameter sondes, dissolved oxygen probes, turbidity meters, calibrated pH/conductivity meters.
  • Familiarity with NPDES permit requirements, discharge monitoring, DMR preparation, and basic regulatory reporting under EPA and state water programs.
  • GIS and spatial analysis (ArcGIS, QGIS) for mapping sampling locations, watershed boundaries, and producing geospatial visualizations.
  • Basic hydrology/hydraulics concepts and exposure to modeling tools or model inputs (HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, SWMM) or spreadsheet-based flow calculations.
  • Data management and analysis in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, charting), and introductory experience with R or Python for environmental data processing.
  • Experience with GPS/GNSS units and smartphone data collection apps for accurate field location capture and metadata.
  • Knowledge of laboratory QA/QC procedures, SOP documentation, and experience participating in or supporting accredited lab workflows.
  • Familiarity with SCADA/data telemetry fundamentals, remote data logging, and timeseries data handling for continuous water quality monitoring.
  • Basic understanding of wastewater treatment unit processes, disinfection, nutrient removal principles, and process monitoring parameters.
  • Experience with site health and safety protocols, PPE use, and confined space or field safety training relevant to water fieldwork.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare field notes, technical summaries, and client-facing updates.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in sample collection, data entry, and QA/QC verification to maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to adapt to changing field conditions and prioritize tasks in dynamic project environments.
  • Teamwork and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams—engineers, scientists, lab staff, and municipal clients.
  • Time management and organizational skills to manage multiple sampling locations, laboratory submissions, and reporting deadlines.
  • Initiative and eagerness to learn new monitoring techniques, instrumentation, and regulatory frameworks.
  • Professionalism in client and stakeholder interactions, including clear communication during public outreach and field events.
  • Cultural sensitivity and community engagement skills for public-facing sampling and educational events.
  • Resilience and physical stamina for fieldwork that may include lifting equipment, working outdoors, and travel to remote sites.
  • Ethical conduct and integrity in maintaining data transparency, reproducibility, and confidentiality when required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a bachelor's program in Environmental Science, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Geology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific/technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Water Resources, or Environmental Science.
  • Coursework or certification in water quality monitoring, environmental sampling, GIS, or laboratory methods.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Civil / Environmental Engineering
  • Hydrology / Water Resources
  • Biology / Chemistry
  • Geosciences / Geology
  • Public Health (environmental emphasis)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–2 years (student internships, seasonal field technician roles, lab assistant experience)

Preferred: Prior field sampling or laboratory experience (academic research projects, paid/volunteer environmental monitoring), familiarity with NPDES or state water programs, and hands-on use of field meters and basic GIS mapping.

Additional desirable items: valid driver’s license, ability to travel to field sites, certifications such as OSHA 10 (or site-specific safety training), and motorized boat operation certification if applicable to sampling locations.

Explore More Careers