COLLEGE CO-OP WASTEWATER ENGINEERING (Watershed Planning/GIS/LiDar)
City of Cincinnati
General Statement of Duties
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The Metropolitan Sewer District posted a number of College Co-Op Job Postings for the Spring Semester beginning Jan 19, 2026. 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.
The Project plans are 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 12, 2025. Applications submitted by this date will be reviewed by MSD hiring managers before the posting closes on November 24, 2025. If selected for an interview, students will be notified via email as early as the week of November 12, 2025. 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 set up a Master Profile in the City's NEOGOV system to apply for this position. Please click here https://www.governmentjobs.com/Applications/Index/cincinnati to create your Master Profile and apply for the College Co-Op.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with completing your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.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 ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGEMENT/GIS
Mission:Utilization of geographical information systems to take large datasets and transform them into meaningful and insightful information for the purposes of planning and engineering, both for local and regional applications for water conveyance.
Purpose:Use *ArcMap to create mapping layers related to hydrology and geology, and if time allows, learn to use various hydraulic and hydrology modeling tools that will utilize the information created from the hydrology mapping effort. This information can then be used by engineers and planners at MSD to identify solutions in project development that are based on better assumptions.
*Please note: due to the complexity of functions and sheer number of legacy layers, MSD uses an older version of ArcMap, currently 10.8, or similar for most users.
Overview: Regional hydrology information such as drainage basins, storage volumes, sump identification, runoff coefficients, slope, infiltration rates, and other such data are desired to be created and checked for quality. A regional mapping layer that compiles geological bore information is also a goal. Work will require figuring out the limits of the computer workstation, and how to divide and conquer large datasets, then compile it all back together. The layers are intended to cover wide regions or the entirety of Hamilton County and will utilize some of the specialized tools and licensures in ArcMap. If time allows, the work will provide an opportunity to learn various hydraulic and hydrology modeling tools that will utilize the information created from the hydrology mapping effort.
Expectations: The co-op is expected to learn how to use advanced tools in ArcMap to create geodatabases, networks, triangular networks, raster files, and other associated mapping files that are accurate, stable, and correctly referenced, spatially. The co-op is expected to be self-sufficient in learning how to troubleshoot problems in ArcMap when issues arise while trying to crunch data. The co-op is expected to manage time and be constantly productive, working on other tasks while waiting on processes to finish in ArcMap (there may be times when it takes ArcMap over a day to perform one task). The co-op is expected to have patience and a persevering spirit, as required when learning how to deal with regional datasets in mapping software. Finally, data entry and review are often critical parts of the work.Deliverables: Co-op to deliver:-ArcMap layers with very minimal error rates.
-Documentation of methodology, how layers were created, information sources, noting critical steps and assumptions made during the process.
-Documentation of how quality assurance was implemented for each layer and any concerns or ranges of expected error.
-If time allows, hydraulic and hydrology models, and the assumptions and quality assurances associated with the work.
-If time allows, a report on the conclusions of analysis for a region, derived from hydraulic and hydrology models.
MSD to provide:
-Workstation,
-ArcMap licenses and tools,
-IT support services,
-Mapping base files,
-Hydraulic and hydrology modeling software tools,
-Oversight, guidance, and feedback from licensed engineers.
MilestonesOrientation (week #1)
Needs Assessment (week #2)
Begin Project Work (weeks #1 - 3)
- Project Manager and co-op will work together to define project goals, expectations, and timelines. Work will begin on initial map layers.
Continuation of Project Work (weeks #4 - 14)
- Develop plans on what steps and tools will be required for regional dataset goals (some goals require utilizing many tools and steps to achieve the desired output).
- Crunch the data to create maps, work through problems and limitations of ArcMap, correct problems with data quality.
- Perform mid-term review of project schedule midway of the spring semester. Make necessary adjustments to meet project objectives and project manager’s expectations.
Prepare Final Documentation and Report Out (weeks #15 - 16)
- Conclude layers and analysis, where possible.
- Provide documentation and discuss with necessary parties to enable continuation of unfinished work.
- Summarize and evaluate lessons learned.
Education Requirements:
The applicant must currently be a college student
Required:
- Completion of college coursework and a minimum of a B average in Calculus I and Physics I.
- Experience, either with classes or jobs, creating map layers with a GIS mapping system.
- Completion of at least one of the following college courses (with a minimum B average): hydrology, hydraulics, fluid mechanics, water treatment, groundwater, geomorphology.
- Attention to detail (which begins with the application and resume submitted to MSD).
- Resourcefulness, patience, perseverance, and some creativity.
Desired, but not required:
- Completion and minimum of a B average in Calculus II and Physics II.
- Experience with ArcMap version 10 and advanced ArcMap tools.
- Experience with hydrology and hydraulic modeling software.
- Experience writing code and scripts to run routines in ArcMap.
Required Education and Experience
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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
- Be enrolled in an accredited institution. *Undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Chemistry, Fire Science, or closely related field. Successful completion of basic chemistry lab coursework preferred.*
