Temporary Student Intern - Organic ChemistryAt — Irvine Ranch Water District

The Position

Under close supervision, the successful candidate will work directly with professional and technical staff performing a variety of analytical tasks and support work.  The Temporary Student Intern will perform meaningful, productive, and challenging work by making significant contributions to routine laboratory work, special projects, research, or other primary District functions. Temporary Student Interns will receive hands on training emphasizing teamwork, independence, and development of technical skills within a quality framework.
 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Students Intern is temporary job classification requiring enrollment in a minimum of 12 units of school study.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under close supervision, analyze various water, biosolids, and/or wastewater samples for general and physical chemical parameters including but not limited to conductivity, pH, WET chemistry, ion chromatography, as well as other parameters as needed.
• Support the laboratory’s daily Biosolids process control monitoring. 
• Accurately enter data results into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Assist with chemical reagent and standard preparation, as needed.
• Assist with chemical standard preparation, as needed.
• Learn and follow all laboratory safety protocols.
• Learn and follow general laboratory and analysis-specific Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocols.
• Learn and follow the laboratory’s Quality Management System (QMS) under the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (CA-ELAP). 
• Compile, organize and analyze data.
• Prepare documents, memos and other correspondence necessary for project completion.
• Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
• Attend district-wide meetings as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At the time of appointment, active enrollment as a student in an institution of higher learning, at either the undergraduate or graduate level, is required.
• Completion of chemistry and laboratory college level courses required.

Knowledge and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, research methods, and data collection techniques including  data analysis methods, English usage, grammar, punctuation, report writing techniques and intermediate to advanced level skill in Microsoft Office Suite required.

License and Certifications:

• Depending upon assignment, Class 'C' California Driver's License may be required.

Training:

Training on all laboratory safety protocols.
Training on general laboratory and analysis-specific Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocols.
Training on all the laboratory’s Quality Management System (QMS) under the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (CA-ELAP). 
Compile, organize and analyze data.

Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
Attend district-wide meetings as required.

Learning outcome:

The Student Internship program at IRWD allows students to perform meaningful, productive and challenging work by making significant contribution to projects, research or other primary functions within the District. Additionally, it allows the student to gain hands-on training with emphasis placed on teamwork, independence, and development of their technical skills.