About this role
2026 College Student Summer Internship – Office of Water Treatment and Reclamation
Position pays from: $16.75 - $18
Posted Until Filled
Internship Details - May 21, 2026 – July 29, 2026 (In-person)
General Description
The Office of Water Treatment and Reclamation oversee the operation and maintenance of the City of Atlanta’s water and wastewater treatment facilities to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. The intern will gain hands-on experience in water and wastewater treatment operations, data analysis, and process optimization. This position provides an excellent opportunity to learn about environmental compliance, plant operations, and the critical role water reclamation plays in protecting public health and the environment.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities for the Office of Water Treatment and Reclamation The following duties represent typical responsibilities for this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed.
Assist with the collection, entry, and analysis of operational and water quality data.
Support special projects aimed at improving plant efficiency and optimizing treatment processes.
Participate in compliance monitoring activities and learn about regulatory reporting requirements.
Observe and assist operators and engineers in daily plant operations.
Conduct research and assist in preparing technical summaries, charts, or reports.
Help maintain and organize documentation related to environmental compliance and performance metrics.
Attend team meetings and contribute to discussions on process improvements.
Support administrative functions such as data filing, document control, and record management.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support the department’s goals.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Interest in environmental science, engineering, or water resource management.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Basic understanding of scientific or technical principles related to water treatment is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a professional environment.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the internship, the intern will:
Gain practical experience in water and wastewater treatment operations.
Develop an understanding of regulatory compliance and reporting processes.
Strengthen analytical and data management skills through hands-on project work.
Learn how to apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in a technical environment.
Build professional communication and teamworking skills essential for a career in water resources management.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be eighteen years of age or older
- Must be authorized to work in the United States of America
- Must be a sophomore or above college student at application submission
- Minimum overall GPA 3.0
- Must attach College Transcript – Unofficial IS acceptable (NO screenshots)
- Currently pursuing a bachelors, associates or above from an accredited college or university.
- Must have at least one semester remaining at the start of the internship
- Must attach Resume (NO screenshots)
- Preferred Major: Environmental Science
It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.
The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.
Other facts
About City of Atlanta
The City of Atlanta remains a transportation hub, not just for the country but also for the world: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the nations busiest in daily passenger flights. Direct flights to Europe, South America, and Asia have made metro Atlanta easily accessible to the more than 1,000 international businesses that operate here and the more than 50 countries that have representation in the city through consulates, trade offices, and chambers of commerce. The city has emerged as a banking center and is the world headquarters for 13 Fortune 500 companies.
Atlanta is the Capital city of the southeast, a city of the future with strong ties to its past. The old in new Atlanta is the soul of the city, the heritage that enhances the quality of life in a contemporary city. In the turbulent 60's, Atlanta was "the city too busy to hate." And today, in the 21st Century, Atlanta is the "city not too busy to care".
For more than four decades Atlanta has been linked to the civil rights movement. Civil Rights leaders moved forward, they were the visionaries who saw a new south, a new Atlanta. They believed in peace. They made monumental sacrifices for that peace. And because of them Atlanta became a fast-pace modern city which opened its doors to the 1996 Olympics.
Die-hard Southerners view Atlanta as the heart of the Old Confederacy; Atlanta has become the best example of the New South, a fast-paced modern city proud of its heritage.
In the past two decades Atlanta has experienced unprecedented growth -- the official city population remains steady, at about 420,000, but the metro population has grown in the past decade by nearly 40%, from 2.9 million to 4.1 million people. A good measure of this growth is the ever-changing downtown skyline, along with skyscrapers constructed in the Midtown, Buckhead, and outer perimeter (fringing I-285) business districts.
What you'll do
- The intern will assist with collecting, entering, and analyzing operational and water quality data while supporting special projects focused on improving plant efficiency and optimizing treatment processes. Responsibilities also include participating in compliance monitoring, observing plant operations, and assisting in preparing technical reports.
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