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.