Posting Title

(Associate/Undergraduate) Intern – Community Air Quality Monitoring

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Location

Remote

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Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

20

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Working at NLR

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking one student intern to support its collaboration with the Kern Community College District and the California Renewable Energy Laboratory (CREL).

The Air Quality Monitoring intern will join the Impacts Analysis Group within the NLR Strategic Energy Analysis Center (SEAC; www.nlr.gov/analysis), alongside researchers who perform a variety of environmental sustainability assessments of energy technologies. With objective, technology-neutral analysis, SEAC aims to increase understanding of energy policies, markets, resources, technologies, and infrastructure to address U.S. economic, security, and environmental priorities. Description of capabilities and recent air quality focused projects can be found here: https://www.nlr.gov/analysis/air-quality.html.

The intern will work with researchers in the SEAC on applied research and development of educational resources related to community-scale air quality monitoring in Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley with low-cost sensors. 

Example activities, to be confirmed in discussion between selected intern and NLR mentor:

• Research and synthesize best practices for community air quality monitoring networks

• Review existing air quality monitoring programs in California and the Kern County region

• Support development of potential configurations for integrating KernCCD-hosted low-cost sensors with existing sensor networks

• Assist with environmental data collection, analysis, and presentation

• Help develop community science and educational materials

Work Arrangement

The internship will be fully remote, with regular virtual mentoring and team meetings. NLR will provide a laptop and the required software and system access for remote work. No personal computer purchase or laboratory supplies will be required for the intern.

An optional visit to the NLR Golden Campus may be offered during the internship, subject to separate project funding, eligibility, scheduling, and NLR visitor requirements.

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Basic Qualifications

Associate: Minimum of a 2.7 cumulative grade point average. Currently enrolled in an accredited associate degree program (community college or technical college) in a related field of study. Must be at least 18 years of age.

Undergraduate: Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.

Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months, with minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.

Please Note:
• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited associate or bachelor’s degree program in engineering or engineering technology, environmental science, chemistry, energy systems, sustainability, public health sciences, data science, applied mathematics, research laboratory technology, industrial automation, or a related field
• Interest in air quality, energy systems, sustainability, applied research, or technical education
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Strong written communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment
• Experience conducting literature reviews or organizing technical information
  (Bachelor-level applicants only)

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived experience in the targeted research location (Kern County)
• Relevant coursework in engineering, science, laboratory technology, chemistry, public health, statistics, or energy systems
• Familiarity with spreadsheet analysis, data visualization, or technical documentation
• Experience preparing basic technical reports and presentations
• Experience writing or presenting technical or educational materials for diverse student audiences
• Experience working on community science projects (on any topic)
• Experience with low-cost air quality sensors or environmental field data collection (Bachelor-level applicants only)

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Undergraduate / Annual Salary Range: $34,800 - $55,700

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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