Chemistry or Engineering Intern Industrial Services

Job Description

Job Description

The Opportunity

Clean Harbors Sumter is seeking a Chemistry Intern to join our safety-focused team. This internship provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while supporting real projects that contribute to business priorities across our environmental, energy, and industrial services operations.

As part of our Industrial Services internship program, this opportunity will be based at an HPC Industrial or Thompson Industrial location, Powered by Clean Harbors. This is not a remote position opportunity - this position is at our Sumter, SC office. 

Please Note: This is a current off-cycle internship opportunity for Fall/Winter 2026 and is separate from our traditional Summer Internship Program. This opportunity is designed to provide students with an additional avenue to gain hands-on, real-world experience outside of the summer internship season.

Interns will work alongside experienced professionals, gain exposure to our industry, and develop practical skills that support their academic and early career goals.

Why Intern with Clean Harbors?

• Health and Safety is our #1 priority and we live it 3-6-5!

• Competitive Pay – Earn $20.00 per hour while gaining industry experience.

• Clean Harbors offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working alongside professionals who are leading the way in environmental, energy, and industrial services.

Our internship program is designed to provide:

• Engagement with teams, mentors, and leaders across the organization;
• Experience through meaningful projects that support real business priorities;
• Education about the environmental services industry and Clean Harbors’ operations;
• Exposure to different career paths across our lines of business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities

Ensuring that Health and Safety is the number one priority by complying with all safe work practices, policies, and processes and acting in a safe manner at all times;

• Building trusting relationships throughout the branch by spending time in the field and getting to know the critical challenges to growing the business firsthand;
• Assist with basic timekeeping review, project management, and job execution;
• Perform wet bench chemistry testing and analytical testing under supervision;
• Support pre-job engineering preparation and documentation;
• Conducting technical research to support project management activities;
• Support day-to-day operations within the team by assisting with assigned tasks and projects under supervision;
• Participate in team meetings, job briefings, and training sessions to build an understanding of the business;
• Communicate progress, questions, and issues to the manager or assigned mentor during regular check-ins;
• Complete a presentation at the end of the internship highlighting work completed and lessons learned;
• Any other responsibilities given based on your internship program agenda.

QUALIFICATIONS

What does it take to intern with Clean Harbors?  

• Currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering at an accredited college or university;

• Strong interest in learning about the environmental services industry;

• Ability to work collaboratively in a professional team environment;

• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills;

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or other relevant technical tools.

Want to learn more about starting your career with Clean Harbors?

As a Clean Harbors intern, you will gain hands-on experience working alongside field teams and operational leaders who support environmental and industrial services across North America. Your day may include time at a facility or project site, participating in safety briefings, observing operational processes, and learning how teams safely manage environmental services and hazardous materials.

Interns may also assist with project coordination, review operational data, and support team initiatives that help keep operations running safely and efficiently. Throughout the internship, you will gain practical exposure to the people, processes, and safety culture that drive Clean Harbors’ work in the field.