810600-038:Summer Intern, Clean Water and Technology

District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority•Washington, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties locations, and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the General Manager. At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia . We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner. The Summer Intern, Clean Water and Technology will support various research projects focused on advancing wastewater treatment solutions and improving operational efficiency. The following intern positions are available: PdNA Startup Pilot Intern : This intern will assist in piloting the PdNA (Process Design and Analysis) startup, which focuses on reducing methanol usage (currently $8-10M/year). The intern will collaborate with engineers to refine the PdNA process and transition research findings into full-scale implementation. Primary Sludge Fermentation Intern : This role will support full-scale testing of primary sludge fermentation processes, focusing on optimization and odor control. The intern will work alongside research teams to conduct field sampling and lab analysis. Primary Sludge Kinetic Studies Intern : This intern will analyze the kinetics of primary sludge fermentation to improve yields and potential methanol savings. The intern will evaluate the impact of various operational parameters on sludge yield, working alongside the research team to enhance operational strategies. Secondary High-Rate Pilot Study Intern : This intern will support a secondary high-rate pilot study aimed at improving the capacity of the wastewater treatment system. The intern will assist in process intensification studies to increase treatment capacity without physical expansion, using both biological and physical methods. Nitrate-Based Aeration Control Intern : This role involves focusing on optimizing aeration control in the nitrification process using nitrate-based systems to reduce energy consumption. The intern will help improve system performance and enhance Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) reliability. Camera-Based Polymer Dosing Control Development Intern : This intern will help develop a camera-based system for optimizing polymer dosing in dewatering processes. The intern will use image processing and acoustic sensors to improve polymer dosing accuracy and reduce manual oversight. Phosphorus Mass Balance and Ferric Chloride Use Intern : This intern will assist in improving phosphorus mass balances and evaluate the use of ferric chloride for wastewater treatment at Blue Plains. The intern will work to optimize chemical usage and enhance treatment effectiveness. PFAS Sampling and Source Evaluation Intern : This role involves focusing on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) sampling and analysis to identify sources for pre-treatment evaluation at Blue Plains. The intern will also explore novel strategies for PFAS removal.

Requirements

Coursework or experience in environmental, chemical, mechanical engineering, or related fields.
Basic laboratory experience and familiarity with wastewater treatment processes.
Must be currently enrolled fulltime in an undergraduate or graduate program
Must have at least 30 credit hours complete
Must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Ability to work effectively in team settings and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
Effective communication skills for presenting findings and working with a diverse group of researchers and engineers.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience in wastewater treatment or process optimization.
Prior experience with large-scale process testing, field sampling, or data analysis.
Research experience related to water quality, sludge fermentation, PFAS, or energy efficiency in wastewater treatment is desirable.
Prior research or internship experience in environmental systems.
Familiarity with process optimization, laboratory testing, or pilot-scale studies.
Knowledge of PFAS, phosphorus removal, aeration control systems, or polymer dosing technologies.
Preferred Major: Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biology, Environmental Science, or related fields.

Responsibilities

Assist in full-scale or pilot-scale testing and process optimization across various wastewater treatment processes.
Conduct laboratory tests, field sampling, data collection, and analysis.
Collaborate with engineers and research teams to implement research findings into real-world applications.
Report findings and contribute to the development of operational guidelines or process improvements.
Performance of assignments under the direct supervision of a department lead
Performance of other work-related duties as needed

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