Our Student Associate Program offers college students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on work experience while supporting key business functions during the summer months.

Student Associates play an important role in contributing to day-to-day operations, assisting with projects, and learning how their academic studies connect to real-world applications.

The program is designed to provide meaningful work experience in a professional environment without the structure of a formal internship, while still allowing participants to build skills, expand networks, and make a tangible impact.

Project Focus: Stormwater Drain Vulnerability & Spill Prevention

Position Overview

The Student Associate will support the Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) team on a focused environmental compliance and risk-reduction project related to stormwater management and chemical spill prevention. This role provides hands-on experience evaluating stormwater infrastructure near chemical offloading areas, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and developing practical, compliance-driven solutions to prevent releases to the stormwater system.

The Student Associate will conduct field assessments, analyze risks, engage with site stakeholders, and deliver a final written report and presentation summarizing findings and recommendations.

Key Objectives

Identify stormwater drains located near chemical offloading areas.
Evaluate vulnerabilities where chemical spills could enter the stormwater system.
Assess environmental risk levels and regulatory implications.
Develop and recommend feasible corrective and preventive measures.
Present findings and recommendations to EHS leadership.

Primary Responsibilities

Review facility environmental programs, including the SPCC Plan, SWPPP, and chemical offloading procedures.
Research applicable EPA, NPDES, and local stormwater regulatory requirements.
Conduct site walkthroughs of chemical offloading areas to identify and document stormwater drains.
Map storm drain locations and conditions using facility diagrams and photographic documentation.
Evaluate potential spill scenarios and pathways to stormwater.
Assess existing engineering and administrative controls (e.g., curbing, berms, drain covers, spill kits).
Rank stormwater drains based on risk (high/medium/low) and regulatory exposure.
Develop and compare spill prevention and stormwater protection solutions based on effectiveness, cost, and ease of implementation.
Interview operations, maintenance, and EHS personnel to incorporate practical insights.
Review historical spill and near-miss data to inform recommendations.

Deliverables

Comprehensive written report including:
- Stormwater drain maps and inventory
- Risk ranking matrix
- Photo log of observations
- Recommended corrective and preventive measures
- Regulatory and compliance references
PowerPoint presentation summarizing project findings and proposed solutions for the EHS team.

Qualifications

Currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Occupational Safety, or a related field.
Interest in environmental compliance, stormwater management, and spill prevention.
Ability to conduct fieldwork and document observations accurately.
Strong analytical, organizational, and technical writing skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with mapping or diagram tools is a plus.
Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with operations and EHS teams.

Learning Opportunities

Hands-on experience with real-world environmental compliance programs.
Exposure to EPA and NPDES stormwater regulations.
Practical application of spill prevention and best management practices (BMPs).
Professional presentation experience to EHS leadership.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed within a business professional office environment, with standard office equipment available.
Work conditions are typical of an office environment
This role does not require any domestic travel
Position may require the physical agility of lifting up to 15 pounds
Position may require frequent and/or infrequent of bending, squatting, pushing, pulling, stretching/reaching, use hands or fingers, talk, hear, feel objects, tools, controls and standing/walking on concrete flooring.
Position may require the physical ability to stand/walk for Less than 4 hours.

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Student Associate – Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)