GIS Intern

MWRD's Internship Program offers paid internship positions. While the main focus is on wastewater management, there are opportunities to gain knowledge and practical experience in a wide range of functions in each department.

Paid Interns

Paid interns are limited to 119 working days per calendar year and receive $18.00 per hour.

Required Documents:

• Letter of recommendation from a class instructor, professor, or Internship Coordinator from current school or university.
• Cover letter stating interest in position.
• Resume.

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program in an accredited college or university and will be enrolled in the 2026/2027 school year.
• Permanent residency within the territorial boundaries of the MWRD (students may attend school outside the territorial boundaries).
• You must be a citizen or national of the United States, or an individual who is otherwise legally authorized to work in the United States.

Candidates are required to submit the Online Internship Application, cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation through MWRD’s Online Employment Center.

Questions regarding the internship program may be directed to MWRDInternships@mwrd.org.

Position Title:

GIS Intern

Department:

Maintenance and Operations Department

Location:

Stickney Water Reclamation Plant

6001 West Pershing Road

Cicero, IL 60804

Description:

The Maintenance and Operations Department at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is currently seeking an intern to contribute to the creation, development, and conversion of diverse GIS datasets used within the organization. 

Intent of internship is to assist with the creation/development/conversion of various GIS datasets used at MWRD. Potential GIS work includes consolidation of ENG and M&O department contract work history, conversion and updating of Stickney MUPPS layers to GIS feature class/extension of Stickney MUPPS to outlying facilities, updates to reservoir facility feature class, updates to small streams feature class to include minor drainage systems. Perform various data analysis of DCS and maintenance data.

Knowledge goals for the internship are to learn/improve their GIS/data analysis skills through real world data and the opportunities/limitations this type of data presents. To gain an understanding and ability to parse through various datasets and evaluate the validity and usefulness of the data.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:

• Familiarity with GIS software, i.e. ArcGIS and data analysis.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Educational Requirements:

• Min 2 years of undergraduate work with some familiarity in GIS and data Analysis.
• Engineering or GIS Major. Engineering with GIS familiarity preferred. 
• Some programming experience required.