Internship Trades Program

Introduction

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) Internship Trades Program (ITP) provides trade school and college students the opportunity to explore a wide range of career paths within the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Department. ITP provides opportunities for students to enhance their classroom learning by obtaining practical real-world work experience. The internship program is designed to provide students with meaningful work experience to supplement their academic curriculum and to enhance their future career development.

The ITP is also designed for the interns to meet the requirements from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), and the International Society of Automation to qualify for professional certifications. Interns will have the opportunities to shadow and work with staff from the Collections, Operations, Mechanical, and Electrical/Instrumentation departments.

Program Goal

Building career pathways to supply our industry with trade workers provides crucial operational reliability. The risk to our Agency, if we do not do this, is operational failure. This impacts public health, the environment, agency budgets, and the well-being of our communities. The goal of the IEUA ITP is to prepare qualified applicants for a career in operations and maintenance of the wastewater/water industry. The ITP is consistent with the Agency’s Values by staying in the forefront of the industry through education, innovation, efficiency, and creativity.

Essential Functions

• Receives on the job training in the operation of a wastewater/water treatment plant.
• May assist in reading meters and gauges to determine efficient equipment operation; records readings.
• May receive training in water quality testing, amounts of chemicals for safe usage, laboratory operations, the proper use of test equipment, and the methods and techniques used in maintaining facilities and equipment.
• May receive training in problem solving and methods for diagnosing and correcting malfunctions and resetting relays and control system components.
• Cleans tanks and other equipment; maintains facilities and grounds in a clean, safe and orderly condition.
• May assist in the maintenance of a variety of records, logs and reports.
• May operate a vehicle to travel to various Agency facilities.
• May perform minor routine maintenance tasks and repairs.

Qualification Guidelines

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent.
• Graduation or current enrollment in undergraduate or graduate studies in an accredited college or university with major course work in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Wastewater/Water Treatment Technology or closely related field.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Selection Process

• All employment applications will be reviewed for accuracy, completion, relevant experience, education, training and other job-related qualifications.
• Applicants with the strongest background relating to the responsibilities of this position will be invited to participate in the testing process which may include one or more of the following: written test, oral interview, performance/practical examination.
• The successful candidate will be required to pass a background/reference check and pre-employment physical examination including a drug screen (for safety sensitive position) at no cost to the candidate.