Engineering Co-op Student (Part-Time) – Water and Sewer

Engineering Co-op Student (Part-Time) – Water and Sewer

Responsible for performing entry-level engineering and technical work in support of water and wastewater utility operations, capital projects, and asset management programs. Assignments are designed to provide practical experience applying engineering principles in a municipal utility environment and to build technical skills in engineering design, field inspection, and data analysis. The position provides hands-on experience in project management, system operations, and infrastructure planning while working under the close supervision of licensed engineers and utility staff. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Job functions of this position are designed for the student to gain broad and practical experience in municipal utility project management and infrastructure delivery; water and wastewater system operations; and regulatory requirements.

Project Management & Engineering Support

• Assist with administration and design of capital improvement and maintenance projects
• Support project scheduling, budgeting, and cost estimating activities
• Review engineering plans, specifications, and contractor submittals for compliance with standards
• Assist in construction observation, documentation, and project closeout activities
• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, and internal departments to support project delivery

Water & Sewer Operations Engineering

• Assist with analysis of water distribution and wastewater collection system performance
• Support operational initiatives such as leak detection, inflow/infiltration reduction, and asset management
• Participate in field investigations including inspections, data collection, and GPS/GIS mapping
• Assist with hydraulic modeling, system planning, and evaluation of system improvements
• Support regulatory compliance efforts, reporting, and permit documentation

Technical & Administrative Support

• Prepare maps, drawings, and technical documents using CAD, GIS, and related software
• Maintain engineering records, databases, and asset management systems
• Assist in preparing reports, studies, and presentations for internal and public use
• Attend meetings with engineers, operations staff, and external stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Enrollment in an associates or undergraduate program in Civil or Environmental engineering or related field.  

Special Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be 18 or older due to the nature of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• General knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of engineering.
• General knowledge of engineering design and construction standards and calculations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills. 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work in this classification is defined as light work requiring physical exertion of 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work requires dexterity in the hands for typing and operation of standard office equipment and visual acuity is necessary to read handwritten and typewritten materials and to operate a computer terminal. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection of products, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an environmentally controlled office environment but requires exposure to outside environmental conditions including extreme heat, cold and noise requiring employee to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level; workplace hazards which may include proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles and atmospheric conditions that may affect the respiratory system including fumes, odors, dust, mists and gases.

All Applicants are required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, a background check and a State Bureau of Investigations background check prior to beginning their employment.

The City of Hendersonville is located in Henderson County, North Carolina. Hendersonville consisting of six square miles and multiple historic districts, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sits between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, 22 miles south of Asheville, NC. With an altitude of 2200 feet above sea level, the region provides wonderful year-round recreational opportunities.  The City is home to over 14,000 residents and operates under a Council- Manager form of government. A thriving Hendersonville Historic Downtown district, and member of the NC Main Street Program, Hendersonville is host to a variety of businesses, festivals and activities throughout the year. This beautiful mountain community strives to maintain its quality of life for year-round residents as well as the seasonal influx of tourists in Fall and Summer.

The mission of the Water and Sewer department is to operate a great utility for our customers: inside customers, outside customers, municipal customers, wholesale customers, industrial customers, etc