Lab Chemist

Clean Harbors Buttonwillow, CA Facility is seeking a Lab Chemist 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. We are searching for a reliable and team-oriented individual with an excellent commitment to safety to join our growing team during Summer 2027!

This internship is an in-person opportunity based at our Buttonwillow Landfill and is not eligible for remote work. Interns will work alongside experienced professionals, gain exposure to our industry, and develop practical skills that support their academic and early career goals.

Start dates for our Summer 2027 Internship Program are May 17th or May 24th of 2027. Internships will run through the summer and end in August.

Why Intern with Clean Harbors?

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

• Competitive pay

• 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.

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;

• Learn about the analysis of various metals to include but not limited to mercury

• Learn about wet chemistry testing including Chlorine and Fluoride analysis

• Learn about analysis of facility samples and instrumentation through GC, IC, ICP, and various analytical laboratory instruments

• Shadowing supervisor and technician,

• Learn about properly manage waste generated as a result of analytical procedures, document control-data analysis, reviewing, updating, and validating accuracy in all documents.

• Maintain a safe working environment that complies with all applicable OSHA regulations

• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by management 

What does it take to intern with Clean Harbors?

• Currently pursuing a degree in biology, chemistry, or other relevant field at an accredited college or university;

• Experience in a laboratory setting;

• Knowledge of wastewater, TOC (Total Organic Carbon), and ICP instrumentation for metals, wet chemistry, flashpoint, Calorimetry knowledge is a plus!

• Strong interest in learning about the environmental services industry;

• Ability to document, record, and analyze data and information;

• 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;

• Lift up to 50lbs, climb stairs, bend, stoop and stand for long hours.  

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.

About Clean Harbors

40-years of sustainability in action. At Clean Harbors, our mission is to create a safer, cleaner environment through the treatment, recycling, and disposal of hazardous materials. Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy, and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Everywhere industry meets environment, Clean Harbors is on-site, providing premier environmental, energy, and industrial services. We are solving tough problems through innovation and proven methodology. Come be part of the solution with us.

Join our safety-focused team today! To learn more about our company and apply for this opportunity, visit: https://careers.cleanharbors.com/intern-co-op-programs 

Clean Harbors is an equal opportunity employer.

Clean Harbors is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact ect@cleanharbors.com  or 1-844-922-5547.

Clean Harbors is a Military & Veteran friendly company.

Clean Harbors is committed to complying with applicable pay transparency laws and ensuring fair and equitable compensation. The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this role. Final compensation may vary based on factors such as location, experience, skills, and business needs. In addition to the base salary, some roles may be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

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