Internships
The purpose of an internship is to provide opportunities to students and community members who are interested in pursuing a career in wastewater or the water sector. As an intern, you will benefit from job shadowing and hands-on experience that will enhance your resumes, teach you valuable skills, and help you determine if a career in wastewater meets your skillset and goals.
We offer student and non-student internships.
Note: Internships and job shadows do not constitute a job interview nor any other part of the hiring process for Johnson County Government. Participants are not guaranteed employment but are welcomed to include the internship and job shadow experience on future job applications with Johnson County Government, if desired.
All interns will be given a copy of the Internship and Job Shadow Program Guide prior to the start of their internship.
Job Shadows
Not ready to commit to a full internship, but you still want to see what we do? Sign up for a job shadow! This is a great way to see for yourself how we do this important work.
Internship Opportunities
We are no longer accepting applications for a spring internship with Asset Management. This is an unpaid internship.
The asset management internship will give you hands-on experience with the engineering team and the process of managing billions of dollars of infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities:
- Hands-On Training: Support the team by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS/EAM/Lucity) software, and onsite field work to identify and improve wastewater infrastructure system data, develop innovative solutions, and equipment maintenance. This may include helping resolve data discrepancies, locate manholes and structures, asset tagging, and field mapping.
- Asset and Project Management: Learn how Johnson County Wastewater plans, budgets, and oversees asset management programs (CAMP & FAMP) to ensure we protect our environment, serve our customers, and enhance our communities now and in the future.
- Communication & Collaboration: Engage with stakeholders, including engineers, wastewater superintendents, operations & maintenance field technicians, Department of Technology and Innovation, and consultants.
Ideal Candidate?
- Educational Background: Interest in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Geographic Information Systems or a related field.
- Skills and Interests: Ability to work in a team environment, in addition to be self-motivated and work independently with tasks. Strong attention to detail, willing to work both in an office setting and field. Ability to use Microsoft Office products, specifically excel and word.
- Commitment: Enthusiasm for learning and the dedication to keep JCW a world-class utility driven by empowered employees.
Scheduling
Interns will be working in an office setting during normal business hours. Additionally, there will be field work completed under the supervision of JCW staff.
We are no longer accepting applications for a spring internship in the Water Quality Lab. This is an unpaid internship.
Are you passionate about environmental science and eager to gain practical experience in laboratory processes? Join our Water Quality Lab internship program for a valuable hands-on introduction to the methods and techniques used in analyzing water and wastewater.
Key Responsibilities:
- Hands-On Training: Engage directly with lab processes, including sample collection, preparation, and analysis. Gain practical experience in water quality testing, from handling samples to interpreting results.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Learn about the regulatory frameworks that govern water quality standards. Understand the rules and guidelines that ensure compliance and protect public health.
- Data Analysis: Participate in analyzing water samples to evaluate various parameters such as pH, turbidity and contaminants. Develop skills in using specialized lab equipment and software for precise data collection and interpretation.
- Lab Techniques: Acquire practical skills in advanced analytical methods, including spectroscopy, chromatography and microbiological testing. Learn the principles and applications of each technique.
- Reporting and Documentation: Assist in documenting experimental procedures, results, and reports. Enhance your ability to communicate findings clearly and contribute to ongoing research and quality assurance efforts.
Ideal Candidate:
- Educational Background: Interest in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology or a related field.
- Skills and Interests: Strong attention to detail, analytical mindset, and a commitment to environmental sustainability.
- Commitment: Enthusiasm for learning and a dedication to contributing to meaningful environmental research.
Apply now to gain valuable insights and hands-on experience in water quality management!
Student and Non-Student Internships
Are you considering a career in wastewater? If so, you may enjoy an internship with Johnson County Wastewater!
Student internships with JCW help high school and college students get hands-on experience working in the public sector, specifically at a wastewater utility. There is a wide variety of skillsets needed to run a utility, so students can build an internship experience that is diverse and helps them determine if working in this field is right for them.
The purpose of the internship is primarily to benefit the student and guide them in their career goals. Students can intern independently or through a program or requirement of their educational establishment.
Non-student internships with JCW are to support recent graduates or community members who are interested in working in a new profession. There is no education requirement for non-student internships.
All student interns must be at least 16 years old and currently enrolled full or part-time in an accredited high school, college or university, and there is no residency requirement for student interns.
Any person under the age of 18 years old must have permission from a parent or guardian. All applicants must agree to comply with all program procedures; local, state and federal laws; policies and procedures; and county policies.
Non-student interns must reside in the Kansas City metro area and must be at least 18 years old.
Scheduling
Student and non-student interns and their program supervisor will work out a schedule that works best for the intern and the staff member. Interns can work up to 10 hours per week for no more than 12 weeks. Interns will follow all county closures. It is the intern’s responsibility to arrive and leave on time.
Internships are a commitment of no more than 12 weeks in one service area. Interns can apply to intern in additional service areas at the conclusion of their current internship but can only intern in one service area at a time.
Networking
Interns will have an opportunity to meet with JCW leadership, ask questions, and get to know more about the industry, recruitment, and utility outlook. If possible, interns may also have a chance to meet with County leadership.
Public meetings
Interns will attend one county event, such as a Board of County Commission Meeting or other public meeting during their internship. The internship supervisor will communicate these opportunities and it is the intern’s responsibility to select one and attend. This attendance will count toward hours worked and cannot put the intern over the maximum weekly hours.
Resume Support
In the final weeks of the internship, interns will have the opportunity to receive a resume audit and job interview preparation from professionals. This is optional and is available for all interns.
Interns will receive training from their program supervisor, or another designated staff member. Training will include all necessary safety and job training for the intern to be safe and have a successful internship experience.
Additionally, formal safety training will be provided at orientation.
Internships are unpaid unless otherwise specified on a case-by-case basis determined by program funding at the time of the internship and the recruitment needs of the work area. Reimbursement of ancillary expenses, such as mileage, is not provided. Interns are responsible for their own personal expenses. Additionally, there is no cost or fee to participate in the program.
All work areas are eligible to host interns, so long as all safety protocols are followed, and there is ample work available for the intern.
Interns must comply with all county policies and procedures, in addition to following all local, state and federal laws. They must also comply with all safety requirements. Failure to follow these policies, procedures, laws and safety protocols may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Participants who ride in a county-owned vehicle must provide valid, state-issued identification. Participants are not authorized to drive county vehicles.
Participants are required to wear steel toed boots, jeans and a shirt for an O&M internship or job shadow, in addition to any weather-appropriate outerwear. JCW will supply a safety vest as well as gloves glasses and hardhat. For all other work areas, dress will be determined based on work area on the advisement of the staff supervisor.
If an intern in the program is unable to furnish the necessary clothing for an O&M position, they can discuss options with the program director. There is no guarantee JCW or Johnson County Government will furnish clothing for an intern or job shadow participant.
Get Started
Apply
The deadline to apply for the Spring 2026 semester has passed. Internships will begin the week of Feb. 23, with a mandatory orientation the week prior.
Note: Potential interns will be assessed based on the quality of their applications, staffing and opportunities available in the desired workgroup, funding (if applicable), availability of applicant, or recommendation (if requested).
While letters of recommendation are not required for all interns, we reserve the right to request letters of recommendation when determining if an applicant can intern in a particular work area.
Welcome Letter and Onboarding
If you are selected for an internship, you will receive a welcome letter with all necessary paperwork that must be completed by you and/or your parent or guardian (if you are a minor). All paperwork must be submitted prior to the start of the internship. Paperwork includes liability waivers, development plan and internship agreement.
Your Internship
This is the fun part! You will work with your designated program supervisor and gain valuable experience in wastewater.
You will maintain an internship log to track your hours worked. If you are interning as part of a school requirement, you may follow your school's recordkeeping protocols instead.
Complete offboarding tasks
You will work with your staff supervisor to ensure all county items are returned and final tasks are completed.
Help us improve the program by completing a short offboarding survey and exit interview.