Intern - Utilities Laboratory

Intern - Utilities Laboratory

Salary

$18.00 Hourly

Location

Water Resource Recovery Facility - 701 Pine Street, Mankato, MN

Job Type

Intern

Job Number

202600064

Department

Public Utilities

Division

6494512 WW Treatment/ Maintenance

Opening Date

08/31/2026

Closing Date

9/10/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Grade: Intern FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive Position: No

Supervisor Title: Associate Director of Public Utilities/WRRF Lead Process Chemist

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience:

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED and be enrolled and attending college or technical college level courses in chemistry and/or biology, such as, but not limited to, analytical chemistry, general chemistry, microbiology, or limnology amounting to approximately 10 credit hours.
• Must possess a valid drivers license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.

OR

• Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may be substituted for the above requirements.

Nature of Work:

Under direction of the WRRF Process Chemist, assists or conducts chemical testing programs involved in control and treatment of water or wastewater treatment, environmental control testing, and related laboratory analysis.

About Us:

Our employees are committed to working in an environment that fosters the core values of the City of Mankato - positive attitude, accountability, respect, teamwork, and integrity. We care about making a positive difference in the lives of others. Our work is challenging and has purpose. We listen and engage with each other and our community. We are empowered and trusted to make good decisions that align with the public service principles and core values. Our organization is committed to investing and developing each other. We will recognize and celebrate our collective achievements and individual accomplishments.

We take pride in investing in our employees. Our team enjoys a supportive work environment that encourages not only success for the community we serve, but for you as well. Come grow your career with us!

Duties / Responsibilities

Primary Essential Work Functions:

• Performs analysis, including, but not limited to pH, total suspended solids, total solids, hardness, biochemical oxygen demand, fecal and total coliform, E-coli, Ortho and Total Phosphorus, nitrates, alkalinity, volatile acids, sulfides, and ammonia.
• The Laboratory Intern will pick up samples from local businesses/industries/municipalities and transport to the laboratory for analysis. May also be required to sample other areas including farm fields, manholes, creeks, river or other portions of the sanitary or storm drain system.
• Assist in the field sampling and other analysis associated with the application of biosolids.

Other Work Functions:

• Performs physical and mental demands and work environment requirements for this position.
• Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
• Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and community customers.
• Performs other related work as assigned or apparent.

The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

Communicates With:

• Internally - Public Works/Utilities employees, other city employees
• Externally - General public

Supervision:

• Non-supervisory

Qualifications / Conditions of Employment

• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
• Satisfactory completion of a background examination.
• Must meet expectations of the work functions and knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
• Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
• Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished the not public data must be properly stored according to city policy and the Minnesota Statutes.

Hours of Work

Working hours are flexible, Monday through Friday, 20-29 hours per week, with some weekends as needed.

Not applicable. There are no benefits with this position.

01

The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you currently posses valid drivers license and are eligible to drive within the State of Minnesota?

• Yes, I have a valid Minnesota drivers license and am eligible to drive.
• Yes, I have a valid drivers license from another state and am eligible to drive.
• No, I do not have a valid drivers license.

03

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High School Diploma / GED Equivalent
• Some college
• Certification in relevant field
• Associates / 2 Year Degree
• Bachelors Degree in progress
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• None of the above

04

Which of the following best describes the status of your education?

• I have taken college or technical college level courses in chemistry and/or biology, such as, but not limited to, analytical chemistry, general chemistry, microbiology, or limnology amounting to approximately 10 credit hours.
• I have taken 1-9 credits of any of the above type college or technical college level courses.
• None of the above

05

Which of the following best describes your experience performing chemical testing, environmental control testing, and/or related laboratory analysis?

• Limited - I rarely have performed the functions described above.
• Moderate - I have occasionally performed the functions described above.
• Extensive - I regularly perform the functions described above.
• N/A - I do not have experience in this area.

06

Which of the following best describes your experience utilizing standard laboratory instruments for testing and analysis?

• Limited - I rarely have performed the functions described above.
• Moderate - I have occasionally performed the functions described above.
• Extensive - I regularly perform the functions described above.
• N/A - I do not have experience in this area.

07

Which of the following public works environments do you have experience? (select all that apply)

• City
• County
• State
• Federal
• Private contractor
• N/A - I do not have experience in this area.

08

Select the experience you have performing analysis of any of the following (select all that apply):

• pH
• Total suspended solids
• Total solids
• Hardness
• Biochemical oxygen demand
• Fecal and total coliform
• E-coli
• Nitrates
• Alkalinity
• Volatile acids
• Sulfides
• Ammonia
• None of the above

09

Describe the experience you have had in the areas that you selected from the question above. If you selected none of the above, type N/A.

10

At the wastewater treatment plant, we use the following types of software. Please indicate the current versions of software that you are PROFICIENT IN USING. (select all that apply)

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• SCADA
• Water Information Management Software (WIMS)
• None of the above

11

What are the personal goals you hope to achieve from this internship?

12

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not be limited to: verification of employment and education records, identification verification, drivers license record, criminal history?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Mankato

Address PO Box 3368

Mankato, Minnesota, 56002

Phone 507-387-8531

Website http://www.mankatomn.gov/jobs