Water Careers Education Intern (AISD)

POSITION SUMMARY
This position is an entry-level, temporary/seasonal position. The position will primarily observe and assist in a variety of situations, projects, and assignments. Tasks and functions normally assigned to this level are generally routine in nature, and any deviations or decisions from routine are generally assisted or approved by upper-level staff.

NOTE: This position is intended for seasonal part-time employees from the Arlington Independent School District. Employee benefits for vacation, sick leave, pension, hospitalization, life insurance, and other benefits provided to permanent employees of the Authority are not provided to employees hired for this
position. It is stipulated that the seasonal part-time status should not extend longer than nine (9) months.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A Water Careers Education internship with the Trinity River Authority of Texas is intended to be focused on one of the four areas listed below, but may include a rotation based on the needs of TRA. Interns may request a rotation, but TRA will ultimately decide if a rotation is approved.

Central Regional Wastewater System - Operations Intern: An Operations Intern at TRA’s CRWS can expect to learn about wastewater treatment, including sources and pretreatment of domestic wastes and characteristics of wastewater. Interns will gain experience and knowledge associated with a job working with collection systems, lift stations, preliminary treatment, and flow measurements, as well as gaining knowledge in sedimentation, biological treatment, and activated sludge.

Interns will be provided training in wastewater plant safety and will have the opportunity to observe and possibly participate in water sampling and testing procedures.

Central Regional Wastewater System - RS&C Lab Tech Intern: An RS&C Lab Tech Intern can expect to learn about lab safety, flow measurements, instrumentation, and biological treatment. Interns will be provided training in wastewater plant safety and will have the opportunity to observe and possibly participate in water sampling and testing procedures. 1 or more courses in any of the following are required: Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or other related topics.

TRA General Office – HR/OD Intern: An HR/OD Intern can expect to develop training that supports the growth of TRA’s staff. Audio/Visual, technical, and administrative capabilities will be required. Technologies an intern is likely to use include Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, SharePoint, and learning management software. Technical and reading skills are critical for this role. Creativity is encouraged.

TRA General Office – Northern Region Planning/Development: An intern will explore a variety of topics, including TRA drinking water and wastewater systems overview, water cycle, public agency governance, state laws and regulatory issues for water-related systems, water supply planning, infrastructure planning and funding, operations overview, customer billing rates, engineering contracts, pipeline and treatment plant design, easements and right-of-way, construction process, and construction inspection. Typical daily expectations will include general administrative work, such as filing, sorting, analyzing information, and reporting.
Tools may include spreadsheets, databases, engineering graphs, Geographic Information Systems maps, or others.

Field work, if included, will be limited to engineering site visits, observation of construction from a proximate distance, attendance at a construction progress meeting, or similar. Interest in business and technology is highly preferred.

Tarrant County Water Supply Project – Engineering Intern: An intern will explore a variety of topics, including TRA drinking water and wastewater systems overview, water cycle, public agency governance, state laws and regulatory issues for water-related systems, water supply planning, infrastructure planning and funding, operations overview, customer billing rates, engineering contracts, pipeline and treatment plant design, easements and right-of-way, construction process, and construction inspection. Typical daily expectations will include general administrative work, such as filing, sorting, analyzing information, and reporting.

Appropriate intern activities include shadowing the laboratory technician responsible for bacteriological field sampling, as well as the TCWSP operations staff. A qualified intern would also have the opportunity to travel with our instrumentation staff to Murphy Pump Station to explore online instrumentation maintenance and some of the city vaults.

Observation of maintenance staff as they work on various parts of the plant, booster stations, and/or the raw water pumps at Lake Arlington is also an option. An intern would be introduced to the TCWSP monthly operations report required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, plus all appropriate testing and bookkeeping that correspond with the report.
Tools may include spreadsheets, databases, engineering graphs, Geographic Information Systems maps, or others.

Some assignments will require repetition; however, it is expected that the student will be exposed to a variety of different tasks. There will also be some opportunities for infrequent field work, which may be conducted in inclement weather. According to interest and ability, the intern may have additional opportunities to learn about GIS, utility management, regulatory issues, and various other water supply issues.  Interests in engineering, science, and math are highly preferred.

WORK LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
This position does not regularly provide work leadership or full personnel management to any employees.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
None

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION
Current high school student enrolled in the Arlington Independent School District’s Water Careers Education course/internship program.

EXPERIENCE
Entry level.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid Texas driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE
None

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Must have good attention to detail and the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.

GUIDANCE RECEIVED
Receives ongoing detailed supervision and standard procedures. Follows standard procedures and/or detailed instructions for each task or assignment; any situation that calls for something different is referred to a supervisor or a more senior position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires moderate physical exertion with daily lifting requirements of up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Exposure to weather, chemical hazards, gases, and dust.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Hand tools, various types of automatic sampling equipment, calibration and maintenance equipment, measuring devices, and office equipment.