The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation’s Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility is seeking one (1) Engineering Intern with a background in Environmental, Chemical or Civil Engineering. The successful applicant will join GBI’s Research Associate Program.

The intern will work with an engineer, engineering technician, electrical technician, and/or research scientist. The intern will be matched with the most appropriate mentor and project depending on interest area, education, and previous experience.    

The intern will be assigned to a project based on professional goals. In order to maximize the benefit, the intern will be given a specific assignment and mentor. The specific assignment will vary depending on the interest of the intern as well as the ongoing workload. Assignments may be related to research areas such as desalination technologies, emerging contaminants, evaluation and optimization of photovoltaic systems, data analysis, and creating system drawings and models.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support research staff;
• Apply science and engineering concepts to create, test, and evaluate systems that may include proof-of-concept and pilot-scale testing;
• Maintain lab records, write reports, and give a final presentation. Topics may include new desalination methods, PFAS mitigation, optimizing systems, data analysis, beneficial reuse, and membrane-based concentrate management;
• Provide technical assistance for facility operations and maintenance to Engineering or Electronic Technician;
• Assist with regular and unplanned operations and maintenance related to the facility and/or infrastructure (daily rounds, routine sample collection, meter readings, fixing valves, troubleshooting SCADA alarms, etc.);
• Assist with set-up and infrastructure modifications to meet research client needs (cleaning, prepping, and relocating tanks; and
• Installing pipelines and valves; installing system components; managing water supplies to test pads and waste streams to evaporation ponds, etc.).

Timeline:

• May/June 2026 (or upon availability and successful adjudication of a DOI Background Investigation); 12 weeks; and
• Full Time (40 hours/week).

Location:

Alamogordo, NM is in the beautiful Tularosa Basin. There is plenty to see and do with the Lincoln National Forest to the east, Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument to the west, and White Sands National Park at the center of it all. Local attractions include outdoor recreation, museums, observatories, theaters for the performing arts, cultural events, and historical sites. Alamogordo is a starting point for adventure.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $24-25 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Support of bi-weekly stipend: $150.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A minimum of two years of progress towards a degree in Environmental, Civil or Chemical Engineering;
• Prior exposure to and knowledge of general field methodologies and data collection techniques; ∙ Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, including Excel and Word;  
• A proven ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to a diverse audience including, co‐workers and stakeholders;
• Should be self‐motivated with an expressed desire to learn and ability to maintain a positive attitude;
• Ability to work both within a team setting and independently;
• Possess a clean, state‐issued driver’s license and exhibit prior experience or a willingness to learn how to drive safely in an off‐road setting; and
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position.

If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the (Indoors/Office) position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.