Project Evolve SELOC Energy Intern- PT

Project EVOLVE SELOC Energy Student Intern

Olive-Harvey College's Project EVOLVE and its corporate partner, SELOC Energy, are seeking motivated students for the Project EVOLVE SELOC Energy Internship Program.

This hands-on internship provides students with direct experience in electric vehicle (EV) conversion, electrification systems, and advanced automotive technologies. Interns will work alongside industry professionals while gaining practical exposure to high-voltage systems, battery technologies, electric motors, diagnostics, and vehicle integration procedures.

Students will apply industry-standard safety protocols and participate in real-world EV conversion projects, including battery installation, motor system evaluation, troubleshooting, and system commissioning.

This opportunity is ideal for students interested in clean energy, transportation technology, advanced manufacturing, and EV workforce development.

Position Responsibilities

Interns may assist with and support the following:

• Apply advanced safety protocols for working with lithium-ion batteries, high-voltage systems, and electric drivetrains, including hazard recognition, PPE use, lockout/tagout, and emergency response procedures
• Perform hands-on installation, removal, and handling of EV battery systems, demonstrating proper disconnection techniques, charging safety, thermal management, and compliance with MSDS requirements
• Diagnose and evaluate Battery Management Systems (BMS) by interpreting alerts, monitoring state-of-charge and state-of-health data, updating firmware, and conducting routine system diagnostics
• Install, inspect, and troubleshoot electric motors and power delivery systems, including identifying overheating, mechanical failures, electrical shorts, vibration issues, and software-related malfunctions
• Execute high-voltage system procedures, such as isolation testing, grounding verification, arc-flash risk mitigation, and emergency shutdown operations
• Utilize diagnostic tools and testing equipmentincluding multimeters, insulation resistance testers, thermal imaging devices, and oscilloscopesto identify faults and verify system integrity
• Interpret and apply EV component specifications, including torque limits, material strength requirements, safety interlocks, and fail-safe design principles
• Document work accurately and professionally, maintaining compliance records, diagnostic logs, incident reports, and system installation documentation.
• Participate effectively in the EV conversion process, demonstrating readiness to support real-world shop operations through safe practices, technical competence, and adherence to industry standards.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years old Have work permit consent (if applicable)
• Be eligible to work in the United States
• Be actively attending one of the City Colleges of Chicago
• Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours (credit or pre-credit)
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (waived for first-semester new students)
• Be in good academic standing with no City Colleges restrictions
• Not be current full-time or part-time employees of City Colleges of Chicago
• Be available to work up to 20 hours per week

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or currently pursuing a GED through City Colleges of Chicago
• Professional demeanor and willingness to learn
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to analyze and solve problems
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Completion of Level I or Level II EV Conversion Training through Olive-Harvey College's SELOC Training Program
• Active enrollment in Olive-Harvey College's Essential Employability Skills Academy
• Basic understanding of electrical and/or mechanical systems
• Ability to follow written and verbal technical instructions

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference may be given to students with experience or interest in:
• Be dependable and willing to learn
• Have a basic understanding of electrical and/or mechanical systems
• Have the ability to follow written and verbal technical instructions
• Hands on experience in either of the following: mechanics, electrical, welding, fabrication, 3D printing, coding, information technology, and computer systems
• Familiarity with EV components and/or vehicle repair
• Previous shop, lab, or manufacturing experience

Skills Developed

Students participating in this internship may gain experience in:

• Career readiness within the clean energy and transportation sector
• Fabrication
• Advanced HV safety protocols and risk assessment
• Installation, testing, and validation of HV batteries, inverters, DC-DC converters
• Lockout/tagout (LOTO) oversight and verification
• Fault isolation in HV systems
• Motor and drivetrain integration
• CAN bus interpretation and basic reprogramming
• System compatibility assessment across EV components
• Calibration support and performance verification
• Root-cause analysis for electrical, mechanical, and software-related failures
• Interpretation of wiring diagrams, schematics, and OEM documentation
• Use of advanced diagnostic tools (scan tools, multimeters, insulation testers)
• Final build verification and inspection
• Compliance with internal SOPs and external safety standards
• Coaching Level I and II technicians during live builds
• Supporting competency assessments and skill sign-offs
• Acting as technical escalation point for junior staff
• Supporting workload distribution under Lead/Master Technician direction
• Reinforcing safety culture and procedural discipline
• Identifying process inefficiencies and improvement opportunities
• Supporting standardization of tools, methods, and documentation
• Providing field feedback for training, engineering, or management
• Determining when escalation is required versus independent resolution
• Prioritizing safety, compliance, and quality under production pressure
• Exercising discretion in troubleshooting and system modifications

Note: The Project Evolve SELOC Energy Intern position supports the collective educational and workforce development missions of Olive-Harvey College's Project Evolve and SELOC Energy. Under the guidance of Lead or Master Technicians, the Project Evolve SELOC Energy Intern will engage in safe, supervised, and meaningful work-based learning experiences, which include but are not limited to:

Independently performing advanced conversion, diagnostic, and integration tasks; and providing technical guidance to lower-level technicians and supporting engineering and quality assurance activities.

Student worker rate is $17.00/hr. If variance from $17.00/hr is required, College HR/Recruitment must discuss with District Compensation. The rate paid is in accordance with City Colleges approved salary scale.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!

TBD