Job Description

Job Location: Rock Hill, SC 29730
Position Type: College Intern
Salary Range: $15.00 - $19.00 Hourly

Job Category: Utilities - ElectricInternship Overview
Join our team at the City of Rock Hill as an Energy Systems Engineering Intern, where you will gain hands-on experience in the critical areas of electric utility operations: Efficiency, Lightning Protection, System Reliability, and Transformers. This internship is designed for students with an interest in advancing their technical knowledge in the power and energy sector, with exposure to Underground Residential Distribution (URD) systems as project needs allow.
As part of a DEED-member public power utility, you will work alongside experienced City engineers and technicians, contributing to real projects that support reliable, efficient, and safe delivery of electric power to our community. This internship aligns with DEED’s mission to cultivate the next generation of energy professionals. Student must select a DEED member as a sponsor/mentor. Student will work at an APPA/DEED member utility and submit written reports on experience and accomplishments.
Key Learning Objectives
- Efficiency:
- - Analyze and help implement strategies for improving energy efficiency across the electric distribution system.
- - Learn how utilities monitor, measure, and report on energy losses.
- - Participate in efficiency audits and recommend actionable improvements.
- Lightning Protection:
- - Understand the causes, impacts, and mitigation of lightning on utility infrastructure.
- - Assist with the evaluation and upgrade of lightning arresters and protection devices.
- - Support field inspections and data analysis on lightning event impacts.
- Reliability:
- - Study reliability metrics (e.g., SAIDI, SAIFI) and their significance for utility performance.
- - Help identify root causes of outages and interruptions.
- - Contribute to reliability improvement initiatives, including equipment upgrades and system hardening.
- Transformers:
- - Gain hands-on familiarity with transformer operation, testing, installation, and maintenance.
- - Shadow technicians during transformer diagnostics and learn about asset management best practices.
- - Participate in transformer sizing and placement planning exercises.
- URD (Underground Residential Distribution):
- - Receive introductory exposure to URD systems and their benefits/challenges.
- - Observe field operations and maintenance activities related to underground infrastructure.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist with data collection, analysis, and reporting for ongoing utility projects.
- Support engineers in the design, evaluation, and implementation of improvements relating to efficiency, reliability, and protection.
- Participate in field visits to observe equipment inspections, installations, and testing procedures.
- Contribute to technical documentation, presentations, and internal knowledge sharing.
- Attend staff meetings, safety briefings, and professional development sessions.
- Complete a capstone project or report on a relevant topic (to be proposed and approved at the start of the internship).

Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an accredited vocational institution, line worker program, or 2-4 year college/university.
- Interest in pursuing a career in electric utilities, power systems, or related technical fields.
- Applicants must not be graduating within 12 months of the application deadline.
- Basic understanding of electrical principles and safety practices is preferred.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Willingness to learn in both office and field environments.
Application Requirements
- Complete Application
- Official College Transcript
- Letter of Recommendation
This Notice is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties, knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the job. This is intended only to describe the general nature of the job. A more comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities and essential job functions is available on the job description. The City of Rock Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, political affiliation, disability, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), or age.