Summer 2027 Emergency Management Internship in Lenexa, Kansas at WaterOne

Required_Degreee: High school
Manage Others: No

Contact Information:

• Email: careers@waterone.org

The purpose of this position is to support WaterOne’s Emergency Management Program while gaining practical experience in emergency planning, training, exercises, continuity of operations, and public utility operations. The intern will work primarily with the Supervisor - Risk Mitigation to help develop and improve emergency preparedness materials, support tabletop and field exercises, maintain program documentation, and participate in after-action evaluation. The internship is intended to provide meaningful, project-based experience for a college student pursuing emergency management or a related field.
Compensation for this position is $20/hr. WaterOne's summer internship program runs from May 17, 2027 until August 6, 2027.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supports the development, review, and update of WaterOne emergency management plans, procedures, checklists, contact lists, and supporting documents.

Assists with the design and development of emergency exercises based on WaterOne’s operational risks. Work may include scenario development, exercise objectives, exercise injects (simulated events or information), participant materials, facilitator guides, evaluation tools, and exercise documentation.

Assists with planning and, when appropriate, facilitating tabletop, notification, functional, or field exercises under the direction of Risk Mitigation staff.

Supports exercises involving severe weather, water contamination, boil water advisories, major water system disruptions, extended power outages, active threats, treatment plant failures, chemical shortages, and Risk Management Plan scenarios.

Helps collect observations and participant feedback following exercises and assists with after-action reports, improvement plans, lessons learned, and tracking corrective actions.

Conducts research on emergency management standards, recognized practices, utility preparedness, continuity of operations, and relevant local, state, and federal guidance as assigned.

Assists with Emergency Operations Plan maintenance and helps ensure supporting information remains organized, current, and usable during an incident.

Participates in meetings, planning sessions, facility visits, and coordination activities with WaterOne departments and, when appropriate, outside emergency response and emergency management partners.

Help develop training materials, presentations, job aids, and other preparedness resources for employees with emergency responsibilities.

Provides administrative and project support for the Emergency Management Program, including document control, exercise records, meeting notes, schedules, research summaries, and other program materials.

Learns how emergency management principles apply to drinking water production, treatment, distribution, critical infrastructure, and continuity of essential services.

Supports other Emergency Management Program projects and assignments as needed based on organizational needs and the intern’s experience and capabilities.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience

High school diploma or GED required AND currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and actively pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Public Safety, Public Administration, Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health and Safety, or a closely related field.

Must have completed at least one year of college and a minimum of 24 total college credit hours, including at least 6 credit hours of coursework in Emergency Management, Safety, Homeland Security, Public Safety, or a closely related field.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to research, organize information, and produce clear written work.

Ability to manage assignments, meet deadlines, maintain attention to detail, and work independently with direction and collaboratively as part of a team.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when working with emergency, security, operational, or employee information.

Ability to travel between WaterOne facilities and participate in field assignments as needed.

Possess a valid driver’s license and continually meet WaterOne driving standards.

Must pass post offer medical exam, including background verification and drug screen.

Physical Requirements
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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
An employee in this position may lift or move up to 5 lbs. occasionally, and 10 lbs. rarely. Employees in this position may frequently work in outdoor weather conditions. Outside working conditions are dependent on the weather, which involves extreme heat (above 90 degrees) in the summer and cold in the winter (below freezing). Some work may be in non-heated and non-air-conditioned structures. Employees in this position may also perform field assignments in poor weather and driving conditions and deal with other hazards of field work such as working at varying heights up to 15 feet above the floor and tolerate noise levels that are generally minimal but may be excessive for brief periods of time (hearing protection is provided).
This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary, standing and/or sitting position for up to several hours a day. Employees must be able to constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine, telephone, and computer and be able to move from one location to another. Employees must be able to ascend and descend ladders to work on equipment, including climbing water towers and other structures. In addition, they must be able to stand or work on elevated surfaces. Employees are required to use personal protective equipment and navigate construction sites.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Protective equipment, including but not limited to personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, may be required and shall be maintained in the sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of process or environment, chemical hazards, or mechanical hazard encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.
Equal Opportunity Employer
WaterOne is an equal opportunity employer and upholds a non-discrimination policy. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, military status, or marital status in making employment and business decisions. We also prohibit harassment and retaliation in the workplace and in our dealings with the public. We encourage and welcome diversity of backgrounds in our workforce. WaterOne complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).
Complete job description is available upon request and will be provided during the selection process.
Additional Information:

• Work Location: On Site