The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD), seeks several full-time summer interns. Assignments are expected in each of the following areas, providing experience in the practical application of coursework in a large-scale urban infrastructure system.
- Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Program Communications
- Designer/Drafting
- Engineering
- Puget Sound Nutrient Modeling
- Environmental Mitigation & Monitoring Program
Who is Eligible: This position is open to college level students currently enrolled, and/or continuing in the fall of 2021 in full or part-time status at an accredited university/college with coursework in the described areas. Proof of full or part-time enrollment status is required. Most positions require a valid driver’s license. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Temporary Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through July 5, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. It is possible that the work will be primarily performed remotely on an ongoing basis after July 5, 2021. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.
To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
Work Schedule: In most cases, the work schedule will be Monday – Friday, 8-hour days. Positions will report to various King County Wastewater Treatment Division locations. Please see descriptions below for additional details.
Job Duties
Learning Objectives and Descriptions of Internship Opportunities
1. Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Program Communications
Intern will gain knowledge of and experience with community outreach practices; learn and develop skills in event planning and communications, likely to include creative content planning, storyboard development, direction of video editing, and development of communications content. Intern will spend about half the internship hours working with the team on developing and implementing strategies to improve project accessibility for all populations including those living with disabilities. Deliverables could include virtual tours, presentations for remote meetings, event planning documents and summary of outreach on accessibility elements of the project design. The intern will work with Community Services staff to learn about outreach, participating in remote and in-person events, meetings, and programs, and other related duties as they express interest.
2. Designer/Drafting
Gain drafting knowledge and experience, working in the Engineering Unit on the CAD Designer Team, within WTD. Utilizing Autodesk software (AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, etc.) to generate design drawings, standard details, and 3D models of Wastewater Facilities. Learn how to use a 3D Scanner to generate point clouds of our facilities and utilize these point clouds within CAD Software. Learn CAD standards and record drawing management. Learn the stages of a capital project workflow and the interaction between project team members.
3. Engineering
How engineers work and perform their tasks, problem defining and solving, researching, concept and alternatives development, cost estimating, construction observation, preparation of construction documents, review and response to submittals and requests for information. Assist a seasoned engineer in the tasks needed to respond to the needs of the WWTP and offsite staff at various facilities
4. Puget Sound Nutrient Modeling
Learn how to apply computer models to real-world applications. Learn to model physical and biological/chemical processes in the environment. Simulate nutrients in Puget Sound to evaluate impact of WTD’s Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges.
5. Environmental Mitigation & Monitoring Program
Learn how to conduct field transects in wetland areas with follow-up evaluations to determine if performance standards have been met at WTD restoration sites. May also have the opportunity to learn how to operate and install water quality sampling equipment in stream/wetland areas and how to evaluate the data using Excel. If time permits, will learn about contents and requirements of monitoring reports and sit in on MCIP project meetings focused on site restoration/mitigation so intern can learn more about project considerations in restoration design.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
1. Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Program Communications
Requirements:
- Interest and some experience in personal or impersonal communications for a diverse audience.
- Must be a competent writer.
- Must be committed to creating Equity and Social Justice in workplaces and communities.
- Must have personal experience and/or roots in the disability community.
- Must effectively relate to people with all kinds of disabilities. Competency in American Sign Language is highly desired but not necessary.
This work will be best performed and of most benefit to a student pursuing studies in Disability Studies, Disability Inclusion/Access, Accessible/Adaptive Recreation, Public Involvement and Communications Studies with emphasis on equitable outreach and accessibility. Accommodations will be provided to students with disabilities.
Location: Assumed to be remote work, with occasional site visits to orient the intern to the project and key project elements.
2. Designer/Drafting
Requirements:
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- Detail-oriented and self-starter.
- Organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of Autodesk CAD Software (AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Plant 3D, and/or Recap Pro).
- Basic drafting abilities, 3D modeling, Multi-view Projections, Descriptive Geometry.
This work will be best performed and of most benefit to a student with an Engineering Design Technology, CAD certificate program, or Engineering degree focus.
Location: Assumed to be remote telecommute, with site visits and field work at facilities.
3. Engineering
Requirements:
- Civil engineering design principles.
- Knowledge of Hydraulic modeling and quantity take-off.
- Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office products.
- Organization skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- A valid Driver’s License.
This work will be best performed and of most benefit to a student with a civil, mechanical, chemical or environmental engineering focus.
Location: Assumed to be remote telecommute, with site visits and field work at facilities.
4. Puget Sound Nutrient Modeling
Requirements:
- Successful completion of college courses in computer programming, environmental processes and chemistry.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- Detail-oriented and self-starter.
- Organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines. Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office products.
This work will be best performed and of most benefit to a student with an oceanography, civil or environmental engineering focus.
Location: Assumed to be remote telecommute, with site visits and field work at facilities.
5. Environmental Mitigation & Monitoring Program
Requirements:
- Focus of academic studies should be environmental science with basic knowledge of wetland ecology and/or wetland science/restoration.
- Be able to conduct field work on uneven terrain and, in some cases, through dense vegetation.
- Excellent driving skills are essential as the intern will need to use their own vehicle, or a County vehicle if available, to drive to restoration sites due to Covid-19 safety guidelines. Interns will be reimbursed if using their personal vehicle.
- Organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office products.
- Some sampling/data collection experience is preferred.
This work will be best performed and of most benefit to a student pursuing Environmental Science with an emphasis on wetlands.
Location: Assumed to be remote telecommute, with frequent site visits and field work at various sites and facilities throughout WTD’s service area.
Supplemental Information
Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
- King County application
- Resume (when applicable)
- Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position (when applicable)
- Responses to supplemental questions (when applicable)
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Rodney O. Dungo
HR Analyst
rdungo@kingcounty.gov
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our “True North“, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles–we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.