Logo of Huzzle

Home

Matches

Explore

Manage

Aquatic Ecology Intern

M

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Mar 31

Applications are closed

  • Internship
    Full-time
    Off-cycle Internship
  • Science
    Sustainability
  • Chicago

Requirements

  • Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:
  • Ability to lift over 10 pounds in a long-handled fish net, and lift and carry a 3-gallon bucket of water for 30 yards.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather and be able to work on a boat or in wadable streams.
  • Previous experience with basic environmental sampling and some fish identification is preferred, but not required.
  • Educational Requirements:
  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program majoring in biology or environmental science.
  • Possess two years of college experience.
  • Completed Biology 101 and other coursework related to environmental science

Responsibilities

  • The intern will work alongside staff and assist with collecting environmental samples, including water, sediment, and fish. The intern will also assist with the preparation and maintenance of monitoring equipment including sample gear, handheld meters, and water quality sondes. The intern will gain knowledge and skills on proper sampling and processing techniques and the identification of fish species for evaluating fish populations and diversity in the Chicago area waterways. The intern will also gain knowledge on the types of equipment used for monitoring the water quality of surface waters.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

The MWRD treats wastewater and manages stormwater for the Chicago region.

Government
Industry
1001-5000
Employees
1889
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Established in 1889, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is an award-winning, special purpose government agency responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management in Cook County, Illinois. The MWRD provides services throughout an 883 square mile area which includes the City of Chicago and suburban communities. The MWRD serves an equivalent pop. of 10.35 million citizens; 5.25 million people, a commercial and industrial equivalent of 4.5 million people, and a combined sewer overflow of .6 million people. The MWRD's 554 miles of intercepting sewers and force mains range in size from 12 inches to 27 feet in diameter and are fed by approximately 10,000 local sewer system connections. The MWRD's Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) is one of the country’s largest public works projects for pollution and flood control. Four tunnel systems total 109 miles of tunnels, nine to 33 feet in diameter and 150 to 300 feet underground, are in operation. Three TARP reservoirs are in operation and construction is in progress on the remaining 6.5 billion gallon portion of the McCook Reservoir. The MWRD owns and operates the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, the world’s largest, in addition to six other plants and 23 pumping stations. Treating an average of 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater each day, the MWRD's total wastewater treatment capacity is over 2 billion gallons per day. The MWRD recycles all biosolids and has an aggressive outreach program.