INTERNSHIP DETAILS
WRM-2026-4i Water Systems Engineering Intern
CompanyNJ Department of Environmental Protection
LocationTrenton
Work ModeOn Site
PostedFebruary 4, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will review and approve Engineering Plans and Specifications to ensure compliance with State and Federal Rules, and determine finished water storage compliance. Responsibilities also include making recommendations for public water system treatment and infrastructure, and evaluating system capacity for emergency supply maintenance.
Internship Type
full time
Company Size
1538
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
35 hours
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About The Company
On America's first official "Earth Day" — April 22, 1970, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was born. New Jersey became the third state in the country to consolidate its past programs into a unified major agency to administer aggressive environmental protection and conservation efforts. Former Governor William T. Cahill appointed Richard J. Sullivan as the first commissioner.
Since that day, NJDEP began a role to manage natural resources and solve pollution problems. In what started with about 1,400 employees in five divisions, NJDEP now has a staff of approximately 2,900 and is a leader in the country for its pollution prevention efforts and innovative environmental management strategies.
About the Role
This internship is exclusively for Cornell students and is a part of the Green Fellows program.
Title: Water Systems Engineering Intern
Posting Number: WRM-2026-4i
Closing Date: March 16, 2026
Start Date: June 1, 2026
End Date: August 21, 2026
Existing Vacancies: 2
Location: 401 East State Street, Trenton NJ 08625
Internship Hours Per Week: 28 – 35 hours per week
Hourly Rate: $30
Program: Water Resources Management- Bureau of Water System Engineering
Program Description: The Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) helps ensure that public water systems provide safe and reliable drinking water. Staff review water system designs, evaluate capacity, and make sure systems meet state and federal rules.
Project Description: The intern will be responsible for the following:
(1) Review and approval of Engineering Plans and Specifications to ensure designs are in compliance with State and Federal Rules and Regulations;
(2) Determine finished water storage compliance per State rule requirements;
(3) Make recommendations related to public water system treatment and infrastructure;
(4) Review sources and treatment plant capacity and existing demands, as well as update the deficit surplus evaluation;
(5) Review and evaluation of water systems to ensure there is sufficient capacity to maintain supply to the public in an emergency; and
(6) Assistance on special projects within the Bureau as assigned.
Specific to the Position: This internship position provides hands-on experience in the regulatory and technical aspects of drinking water management within the Bureau of Water System Engineering. The intern will work closely with professional engineers and environmental specialists to evaluate public water systems for compliance with State and Federal Safe Drinking Water regulations. The intern will also gain exposure to the permitting process, data analysis for system performance, and emergency preparedness planning to ensure the protection of public health through safe and reliable drinking water.
Preferred Area of Study: Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or other Engineering fields.
License: Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Employee Benefits
TES / Hourly employee benefits include:
Residency: All persons newly hired on or after September 1, 2011 have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain principal residence in the State of New Jersey subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L.2011, Chapter 70), also known as the "New Jersey First Act".
Authorization to Work: Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.
Veteran's Preference: To qualify for New Jersey Veteran's Preference/status, you must establish Veteran's Preference through the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. Please submit proof of your Veteran's Preference along with your resume as indicated below. For more information, please visit https://nj.gov/military/veterans/services/civil-service/preference/
SAME applicants: If you are applying under the NJ SAME program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter) must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME program, please visit https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email [email protected], or call CSC at (609) 292- 4144 and select Option #3.
Equal Opportunity Employment: The State of New Jersey seeks to increase the richness and diversity of its workforce, and in doing so, become the employer of choice for all people seeking to work in State Government. To evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts to attract and employ a diverse workforce, applicants are asked to voluntarily answer a few brief questions on the NJ Affirmative Action Information Form. All information is considered confidential and will be filed separately with the agency's affirmative action officer. This information will not be part of your application for employment and will not be considered in any hiring decision.
DEP Notices of Vacancy have a 4:00 p.m. deadline on the closing date. When filing for these opportunities, please be sure to have your letter of interest and credentials sent electronically before 4 p.m. on the closing date.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Accommodations under ADA will be provided upon request.
Title: Water Systems Engineering Intern
Posting Number: WRM-2026-4i
Closing Date: March 16, 2026
Start Date: June 1, 2026
End Date: August 21, 2026
Existing Vacancies: 2
Location: 401 East State Street, Trenton NJ 08625
Internship Hours Per Week: 28 – 35 hours per week
Hourly Rate: $30
Program: Water Resources Management- Bureau of Water System Engineering
Program Description: The Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) helps ensure that public water systems provide safe and reliable drinking water. Staff review water system designs, evaluate capacity, and make sure systems meet state and federal rules.
Project Description: The intern will be responsible for the following:
(1) Review and approval of Engineering Plans and Specifications to ensure designs are in compliance with State and Federal Rules and Regulations;
(2) Determine finished water storage compliance per State rule requirements;
(3) Make recommendations related to public water system treatment and infrastructure;
(4) Review sources and treatment plant capacity and existing demands, as well as update the deficit surplus evaluation;
(5) Review and evaluation of water systems to ensure there is sufficient capacity to maintain supply to the public in an emergency; and
(6) Assistance on special projects within the Bureau as assigned.
Specific to the Position: This internship position provides hands-on experience in the regulatory and technical aspects of drinking water management within the Bureau of Water System Engineering. The intern will work closely with professional engineers and environmental specialists to evaluate public water systems for compliance with State and Federal Safe Drinking Water regulations. The intern will also gain exposure to the permitting process, data analysis for system performance, and emergency preparedness planning to ensure the protection of public health through safe and reliable drinking water.
Preferred Area of Study: Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or other Engineering fields.
License: Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Employee Benefits
TES / Hourly employee benefits include:
- Earned Sick Time*
Residency: All persons newly hired on or after September 1, 2011 have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain principal residence in the State of New Jersey subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L.2011, Chapter 70), also known as the "New Jersey First Act".
Authorization to Work: Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.
Veteran's Preference: To qualify for New Jersey Veteran's Preference/status, you must establish Veteran's Preference through the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. Please submit proof of your Veteran's Preference along with your resume as indicated below. For more information, please visit https://nj.gov/military/veterans/services/civil-service/preference/
SAME applicants: If you are applying under the NJ SAME program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter) must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME program, please visit https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email [email protected], or call CSC at (609) 292- 4144 and select Option #3.
Equal Opportunity Employment: The State of New Jersey seeks to increase the richness and diversity of its workforce, and in doing so, become the employer of choice for all people seeking to work in State Government. To evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts to attract and employ a diverse workforce, applicants are asked to voluntarily answer a few brief questions on the NJ Affirmative Action Information Form. All information is considered confidential and will be filed separately with the agency's affirmative action officer. This information will not be part of your application for employment and will not be considered in any hiring decision.
DEP Notices of Vacancy have a 4:00 p.m. deadline on the closing date. When filing for these opportunities, please be sure to have your letter of interest and credentials sent electronically before 4 p.m. on the closing date.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Accommodations under ADA will be provided upon request.
DEP Notices of Vacancy have a 4:00 p.m. deadline on the closing date. When filing for these opportunities, please be sure to have your letter of interest and credentials sent electronically before 4 p.m. on the closing date.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Accommodations under ADA will be provided upon request.
Key Skills
Engineering Plan ReviewSpecification ReviewState Regulations ComplianceFederal Regulations ComplianceWater Storage ComplianceWater Treatment InfrastructureCapacity EvaluationDemand AnalysisEmergency PreparednessRegulatory ComplianceTechnical EvaluationPermitting ProcessData AnalysisDrinking Water Management
Categories
EngineeringEnvironmental & SustainabilityGovernment & Public SectorScience & Research
Benefits
Earned Sick Time
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