Position Description 
The Storm and Surface Water Utility (SSW) within the Public Works Department, seeks an intern to assist the SSW team with: 

• Stormwater facility and systems compliance inspections, 

• Source Control business pollution prevention inspections, 

• Spreadsheet/database management, 

• Records research, 

• Data collection using Field Maps App, Cityworks, 

• Using ArcGIS for editing and creating infrastructure maps, and 

• Giving recommendations on corrective actions necessary for permit compliance. 

This position will help manage two programs: 
 
Operations and Maintenance of Stormwater Facilities 
We are instructed through the Western Washington Phase II stormwater permit to create and maintain an inspection program focused on the maintenance of stormwater facilities regulated by the City of Olympia. This program involves annual inspections, record keeping, letters of reminders, notices of non-compliance, and ongoing correspondence with site contacts/managers of stormwater facilities. 
 
Source Control Program for Existing Development 
Beginning in 2023, all Western Washington Phase II stormwater permittees have been instructed to create and implement a source control (business/site) program described in S5.C.8 of the Western Washington 2019-2024 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. (Western Washington 2019-2024 Phase II permit) Source control is a practice to implement preventative measures to stop pollution before it enters the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The Source Control Program is a proactive, preventative, inspection-based program that is focused on addressing pollution from existing land use and activities that have the potential to release pollutants to the MS4. This program relies on permittees to inspect businesses and properties, and if necessary, requires implementation of operation or structural source control best management practices (BMPs) in order to prevent pollution from entering the MS4. 
 
If you are majoring in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning or a closely related field, we invite you to apply for this opportunity to become an intern with the City of Olympia.

About the Internship 
SSW operates a public stormwater conveyance system that serves approximately 45,000 customers through approximately 16,000 accounts. Field tasks will require reviewing forms and conducting a mixture of commercial and residential site inspections to determine the condition and compliance status. Mapping tasks may require performing routine to moderately complex geo-processing, research and analysis functions, and coordinating with City Geographic Information System (GIS) staff to refine commercial and residential site layers. Work is performed with general supervision, allowing the intern an opportunity for exercising independent judgment.  The intern will report directly to the Senior Stormwater Program Specialist. To qualify, you must be a student currently enrolled in an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree program. 
 
The projected start date (flexible) is June 3, 2024 and is expected to run approximately 9 months, no longer than February 28, 2025 (flexible). 

Ideal Candidate Profile 

• Ability to interpret construction plans, drawings and legal descriptions. 

• Ability to learn and understand storm and surface water infrastructure and functions. 

• Ability to use ArcGIS, Field Maps App and Excel software. 

• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions. 

• Ability to work on uneven terrain and occasionally lift and/or carry 25-50 lbs. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

• Ability to communicate efficiently with internal personnel and the general community. 

Learning Objectives 

• Gain an understanding of municipal storm and surface water utility infrastructure and operations. 

• Develop technical understanding of compliance and guiding documents (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and the Olympia Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (DDECM). 

• Develop skills to properly conduct field site inspections. 

• Learn how to use field tools (maintenance hole puller, water quality test kits, etc.) 

• Learn how databases are utilized to store and track data. 

• Expand research skills by exploring data collection venues, examining technical documents and prepare/maintain spreadsheets. 

• Receive hands-on experience using GIS tools; gain a greater understanding of GIS and how it’s used for business decisions in a government setting. 

Job Responsibilities 
The selected intern will work with the Senior Stormwater Program Specialist and other professionals in the following activities: 

• Assist with scheduling and performing field inspections of private stormwater systems to assure compliance. 

• Assist with performing source control inspections of businesses. 

• Help fine-tune the Field Maps App for performing and collecting audit information. 

• Help modify, maintain and edit spreadsheets. 

• Perform routine to moderately complex GIS analytical and geo-processing functions, Including input, editing, hyperlinks, manipulation, management, analysis and output of spatial and tabular data sets within ESRI’s ArcGIS software. 

• Collect data from a variety of archived sources including engineering construction plans, microfilm and field books, and organize data into an electronic format. 

• Help create site maps for private stormwater systems. 

• Assist in maintaining data quality assurance and quality control with a meticulous attention to detail. 

• Provide field research and data collection to obtain and verify GIS data. 

Knowledge and Experience Qualifications 

• Demonstrated experience with geodatabase, database management and editing experience. 

• Competence with Microsoft Office; emphasis on Excel and Word. 

• Experience communicating effectively both orally and in writing. 

• Technical and precise writing and editing skills. 

• Constructive problem-solving and analytical skills. 

• Self-starter: able to work independently, multi-task and prioritize, complete tasks on time and produce quality, detail-oriented work. 

• Ability to prepare basic maps and graphics. 

• Ability to work in the field in all weather conditions. 

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License required. 

Salary and Schedule 
This internship requires that applicants be students currently enrolled in an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree program.  Work hours are up to 19 hours per week during school and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks and summer.  Generally, work hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. M-F with the possibility of a flexible schedule.  These positions are 60% fieldwork and 40% office/telework. These positions are not eligible to receive benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation, or paid holidays. 

To Apply

• Submit a cover letter and resume by attaching them to your electronic application. The cover letter must be no more than two pages long and must include specific examples of how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile (listed below) for this position.
• Open Continuous. Apply by midnight on April 13, 2024 to be considered in the first review of applications.
• Only Electronic Applications are accepted.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Kane Osstifin, Senior Program Specialist at (360) 753-8579 or via email at kosstifi@ci.olympia.wa.us.