Stormwater Inspection Intern

Position Description

The Storm and Surface Water Utility (SSW) within the Public Works Department seeks an intern to assist the SSW team with:

• Stormwater facility and systems compliance inspections
• Source Control business pollution prevention inspections
• Spreadsheet/database management
• Records research
• Data collection using Field Maps App, Cityworks
• Using ArcGIS for editing and creating infrastructure maps
• Giving recommendations on corrective actions necessary for permit compliance

This position will help manage two programs:

We are instructed through the Western Washington Phase II stormwater permit to create and maintain an inspection program focused on the maintenance of stormwater facilities regulated by the City of Olympia. This program involves annual inspections, record keeping, letters of reminders, notices of non-compliance, and ongoing correspondence with site contacts/managers of stormwater facilities.

Beginning in 2023, all Western Washington Phase II stormwater permit tees have been instructed to create and implement a source control (business/site) program described in S5.C.8 of the Western Washington  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. Source control is a practice to implement preventative measures to stop pollution before it enters the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).

The Source Control Program is a proactive, preventative, inspection-based program that is focused on addressing pollution from existing land use and activities that have the potential to release pollutants to the MS4. This program relies on permit tees to inspect businesses and properties, and if necessary, requires implementation of operation or structural source control best management practices (BMPs) to prevent pollution from entering the MS4.

If you are majoring in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning or a closely related field, we invite you to apply for this opportunity to become an intern with the City of Olympia.

SSW operates a public stormwater conveyance system that serves approximately 45,000 customers through approximately 16,000 accounts. Field tasks will require reviewing forms and conducting a mixture of commercial and residential site inspections to determine the condition and compliance status. Mapping tasks may require performing routine to moderately complex geo-processing, research and analysis functions, and coordinating with City Geographic Information System (GIS) staff to refine commercial and residential site layers.

Work is performed with general supervision, allowing the intern an opportunity for exercising independent judgment. The intern will report directly to the Senior Stormwater Program Specialist. To qualify, you must be a student currently enrolled in an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree program.

The projected start date (flexible) is June 2, 2026 and is expected to run approximately 4 months, no longer than September 30, 2026 (flexible).

• Ability to interpret construction plans, drawings and legal descriptions.
• Ability to learn and understand storm and surface water infrastructure and functions.
• Ability to use ArcGIS, Field Maps App and Excel software.
• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain and occasionally lift and/or carry 25‑50 lbs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate efficiently with internal personnel and the general community.

• Gain an understanding of municipal storm and surface water utility infrastructure and operations.
• Develop technical understanding of compliance and guiding documents (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and the Olympia Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (DDECM)).
• Develop skills to properly conduct field site inspections.
• Learn how to use field tools (maintenance hole puller, water quality test kits, etc.).
• Learn how databases are utilized to store and track data.
• Expand research…