General Statement of Duties The Metropolitan Sewer District posted a number of College Co-Op Job Postings for the Spring Semester beginning January 18, 2027. Please read through all Job Postings and apply for the position(s) you would like to be evaluated for and/or interviewed for as a Co-Op Student Intern.
Each job Project Plan is included in the Job Postings. For more information about the different projects please contact jerrold.ware@cincinnati-oh.gov. The Priority Deadline for applications is November 8, 2027. Applications submitted by this date will be reviewed by MSD hiring managers before the posting closes on November 20, 2027. If selected for an interview, students will be notified via email as early as the week of November 15, 2027. All applications are accepted through the posting close date. If selected for an interview, you will be contacted via the email provided during the application process. All applicants should have availability for work scheduled 32 - 40 hours per week.
TO APPLY:
Applicants must first create an account through govenmentjobs.com to apply for this position.
Please click here to create your applicant profile and apply for the College Co-Op/Student Intern opportunity.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with completing your application, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627.
**Applicants with student visa and OPT, CPT, and current valid EAD at time of hire, are welcome to apply.
Interns/Co-ops/Externs for the City of Cincinnati may be performing duties in any potential field within the City's structure. These fields may include office-level work/assignments, fieldwork, and/or civic services. The nature of the work will be based on areas of interest, degree programs, or organizational needs. Candidates should have the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)
MSD WASTEWATER TREATMENT (ENGINEERING & SCADA)
Mission:
To establish a partnership with colleges and universities, exposing as many undergraduate engineering students to employment opportunities in the Wastewater Industry, with an emphasis in the mechanical or electrical engineering discipline and to help them gain professional experience for a professional engineer’s license and for the next generation workforce.
Overview: Throughout the course of the year several college students will join MSD’s Throughout the course of the year several college students will join MSD’s staff for a cooperative experience.Under direct supervision of the project manager or a member of WWT staff, the Co-Op will perform assigned work by applying established engineering principles and theories to practical applications. The co-op will interact with other plant personnel including management, administrative, operations, maintenance, and plant engineering staff.
Learning Purpose: Co-ops will aid Wastewater Treatment Maintenance division engineers on a variety of efforts ranging from supporting operations/maintenance staff during day to day operations and maintenance activities; performing process equipment and system design, startup, and project management; conducting capital project design and constructability reviews; performing drafting/solid modeling and AutoCAD drafting; and facilitating field investigations and contractor field coordination, including such areas as: Project coordination, planning, and design for Asset Renewal projects, processing division Work Order engineering requests, and review of capital wastewater treatment projects for sewage treatment unit process improvements and replacements. These may involve HVAC systems, pumping systems, compressed air systems, sewage and sewage solids conveyance and management, electrical improvements, and general wastewater treatment plant facility infrastructure. Specific tasks can include: Work in AutoCAD to update underground piping dwgs, potable water line surveys, and utility investigations or to update CIP reference map & index to contract maps; Incineration access door skin temperature insulation calculation, Mill Creek grit bldg.skimmings bag drainage design upgrade, Incinerator or centrifuge support systems upgrades, Mill Creek dewatering collection bin camera specification and installation; Primary Sludge temporary pumping system, Non Potable water pumping system evaluation, and field coordination of process improvement projects at any of the 9 District WWTPs, regional and neighborhood pump stations, and various wet weather facilities.
Duties include conducting unit process or facility walkdowns; identifying and addressing wastewater process equipment and electrical service requests; monitoring preventative and/or corrective action equipment activities; equipment installation or repair facilitation, startup, and closeout for mechanical and electrical facility systems. These design and process support tasks will be in the areas of Electrical or Mechanical Engineering discipline.
Learning Expectations:
Provides work outcomes that correspond to the student’s level of education and prior experience under professional engineering supervision. Apply knowledge and reasoning skills to analyze and solve practical engineering problems in the mechanical or electrical engineering disciplines.
CO-OP LEARNING & DELIVERABLES:
Fall 2026 Deliverables •
- Budget: Desk phone, computer Salary of student for the duration of their semester (roughly 15 weeks)
Logistics:
Student’s work station will be in the Mill Creek WWTP CMF Building or adjacent offices.
Training:
The student must be trained in MSD and City policies, rules, and regulations
CO-OP LEARNING MILESTONES:
Needs Assessment (week #2)
Begin Project Work (weeks #1 - 3) Project Manager and co-op will work together to develop a working document that defines projects and timelines that ensures that project goals and objectives will be achieved. The projects will be tailored to suit the student’s interests as available.
Continuation of Project Work (weeks #4 - 14) Investigate solutions, gather information from various sources, and work as necessary to complete project deliverables as well as possible additional ideas on project solutions.
Perform mid-term review of project schedule and timeline at week #8. Make necessary adjustments to meet project objectives and project manager’s expectations.
Prepare Final Documentation and Report Out (weeks #15 - 16) Conclude projects, where possible.
Provide documentation and discuss with necessary parties to enable continuation of unfinished work.
Summarize and evaluate lessons learned.
CO-OP EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Must currently be a college student actively taking college classes in a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
HR Contact: Jerrold Ware, Jerrold.Ware@cincinnati-oh.gov
Required Education and Experience
In order to qualify for the Intern/Co-op Program, a student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a non-citizen with proof of eligibility to work in the United States
- Individuals under eighteen will require a work permit
- Submit a City job application for employment
- Must pass a drug screen and background check
Benefits
The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.
The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.
The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws. Holidays
The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include:
New Year's Day Martin Luther King Day President's Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Christmas
Health Insurance
The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.
Eligible dependents include:
Legal Spouse or Equal Partner Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order") Step-child Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian
Basic Life Insurance
A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.
Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.
Flexible Benefits Plans Healthcare Flex Spending Account
City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members. Dependent Care Flex Spending Account
City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses. Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account
City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount. Healthy Lifestyles Program City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.
Retirement Plan
The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.
Deferred Compensation
As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.