Student Job Openings With Jacobs: Hands-on Experience Assisting Public Water Systems

Are you looking to gain hands-on professional experience in a water-related job?

Jacobs Engineering, in partnership with the Universities of Wisconsin and Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, has 15-20 openings for students interested in drinking water quality and public health and safety.

This is an exciting opportunity to get hands-on experience in assisting public water systems across Wisconsin. You will work with local government entities and public utilities; learn about drinking water regulations; and conduct data collection and field work.

The info session recording below offers details about the project and the work.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted Aug. 18 to Sept. 22 with anticipated start dates in early October. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis and should be submitted via Handshake to Greg Kleinhenz, Chair, University of Wisconsin – Department of Engineering & Engineering Technology, or directly to eric@uwosh.edu.

Applications should include:

  • Resume
  • 1-page cover letter detailing your past work, research or coursework experience, and professional goals
  • 1 professional reference’s contact information

The Work

Technical assistance to public water systems may include:

  1. Review of
    • Construction and plumbing codes, permits, and existing records or other documentation which indicates the service line materials used to connect structures to the water distribution system. 
    • Water system records, including distribution system maps and drawings, historical records on each service connection, meter installation records, historical capital improvement or master plans, and standard operating procedures. 
    • Inspections and records of the water distribution system that indicate material composition of the service connections that connect a structure to the distribution system. 
    • Any other relevant available records.
  2. Onsite Field Visits
    • Travel throughout the state with Jacobs team leaders to provide in-person review of records and education of EPA service line inventory requirements.
    • Talk directly with government entities and public utility staff to learn about their water system.
  3. Data entry:
    • Populate data into a database platform following an onsite records review visit.

Time Commitment

A minimum of 10 hours a week is desired, up to 25 hours per week during school, and up to 40 hours per week during winter school break. Data entry work offers more flexibility around working hours and can be performed remotely. Onsite visits may require longer workdays (greater than 8 hours) and overnight stays, if your schedule allows. To be scheduled for onsite visits, you must be available at least one full weekday per week to travel off campus.

Length of Program

Onboarding and training begins October 1, 2024, with work starting mid-November and continuing through February 2025.

Desired qualifications and skills

  • Universities of Wisconsin students and staff
  • Pursuing or obtained a degree in Freshwater Science, Engineering, Geology, Microbiology, Environmental Science or similar degree program
  • Strong interest in real-world, hands-on utility and water sector work
  • Ability to focus on detail-oriented tasks
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Proficiency in MS Office applications
  • Personal vehicle and valid driver’s license and car insurance required for field visits

Expected compensation

The pay range is $21-$26 per hour, depending on skills and prior experience. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.


Additional FAQs

If I have scheduling conflicts or am not available certain weeks or months of the project, am I still eligible?

The project spans between October 2024 and February 2025. Please note your availability constraints in an application, but it would not preclude you from applying.

How many individuals will be hired to complete this project?

We anticipate 15-20 students will be hired. There will be ample opportunities for students.

Will this position provide an opportunity to use GIS?

Yes, you will learn how to utilize and interact with a variety of digital data management tools that Jacobs uses, including GIS.

If you are doing remote work, would you be working in a team or how would the assignment structure work?

All the people being hired will be part of a larger team at Jacobs. You will have a mentor or someone who can directly answer questions. Every activity has a group in charge of that task who you will work with. Every job will have at least two people on site.

Will weekends be open for overnight travel, or will overnight travel only be during the work week?

Weekend hours are an option. It will depend on the water system and when they are open. It’s probably a 50-50 split between systems that are only available on weekdays and those that are open on weekends. When we schedule work, we will look at the water system staff availability first and then schedule people to do the work.

What is the maximum expected travel distance for the field work?

The systems are across the entire state. We plan to keep travel to a minimum because it’s important to have as much time at the site as possible. You may need to work on one system one day and then stay overnight to work on another system, but we don’t anticipate having students stay more than one night, especially during the school year. If someone can’t stay overnight, that’s ok.

Can international and graduate students participate?

Yes, graduate students can participate. International students can participate as long as you are able to work on campus, have a driver’s license and can be an approved driver.

Can recent graduates apply?

To be hired as a student employee, you must be enrolled in classes. It may be possible that we could work with Jacobs to hire a recent graduate, so it would be worth submitting a resume and we will review each individual application.