1

Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant Jobs in Decatur, AL

Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$10

$18

$25

How much do internship reverse osmosis plant jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship reverse osmosis plant in Decatur, AL is $18.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.34 and $20.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Intern at a Reverse Osmosis Plant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Intern at a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant, you need a background in chemical, environmental, or mechanical engineering, along with basic knowledge of water treatment processes. Familiarity with SCADA systems, laboratory testing equipment, and safety protocols is typically required, and certifications in water treatment or safety can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help interns excel in team settings and technical troubleshooting. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring operational efficiency, compliance, and the safe production of high-quality water.

What types of hands-on projects can interns expect to work on at a reverse osmosis plant?

Interns at a reverse osmosis plant often participate in a variety of practical projects, such as monitoring water quality, assisting with routine equipment maintenance, and collecting operational data for efficiency analysis. They may also support senior engineers with troubleshooting system issues and implementing process optimizations. These experiences provide valuable exposure to large-scale water treatment operations and help interns develop both technical and teamwork skills essential for a career in environmental or chemical engineering.

What is an internship at a reverse osmosis plant?

An internship at a reverse osmosis (RO) plant is a temporary work placement where students or recent graduates gain practical experience in water treatment processes, specifically using reverse osmosis technology. Interns typically assist with monitoring plant operations, conducting water quality tests, learning about system maintenance, and supporting engineers or plant technicians. This hands-on experience helps interns understand the real-world applications of RO systems and prepares them for future roles in the water treatment industry.

What is the difference between Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant vs Internship Water Treatment Plant Operator?

AspectInternship Reverse Osmosis PlantInternship Water Treatment Plant Operator
Required CredentialsBasic technical knowledge, possibly some certifications in water treatmentSimilar certifications, often overlapping with water treatment basics
Work EnvironmentOperate and monitor reverse osmosis systems in water treatment facilitiesManage overall water treatment processes, including filtration and chemical dosing
Industry UsageCommon in desalination and high-purity water productionUsed broadly in municipal and industrial water treatment

Both internships involve water treatment processes, but the Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant focuses specifically on operating reverse osmosis systems, while the Internship Water Treatment Plant Operator covers a broader range of water treatment methods. The choice depends on your interest in specialized membrane technology versus general water treatment operations.

What are popular job titles related to Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant jobs in Decatur, AL? For Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant jobs in Decatur, AL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant jobs in Decatur, AL look for? The top searched job categories for Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant jobs in Decatur, AL are:
What cities near Decatur, AL are hiring for Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant jobs? Cities near Decatur, AL with the most Internship Reverse Osmosis Plant job openings:
Power Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Chemistry and Water Treatment

Power Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Chemistry and Water Treatment

International Paper Company

Huntsville, AL • On-site

$125.90K - $167.80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


International Paper rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 281 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

297th of 512 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Description
Position Title:
Power Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Chemistry and Water Treatment
Pay Rate:
$125,900 - $167,800
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.
Category/Shift:
Salaried Full-Time
Location:
Remote - Ability to travel up to ~60%
The Job You Will Perform:
  • This position is in the Power Manufacturing Solutions Group, and provides technical guidance and direction to our mill teams in the water treatment areas. Specific areas of support and expertise includes raw water clarification, corrosion inhibition, filtration, demineralization, condensate treatment, boiler water controls, and specialty chemicals. This support will be a combination of remote and also travel to mill locations. Expected travel is 40-60%. You will be expected to learn all the specific types of treatment equipment and processes in our IP mill system, and provide technical support for planned work and troubleshooting for problems encountered.
  • Develop relationships at each mill in utilities areas to better understand the needs of the mill processes and equipment. This position requires someone that will be a good communicator, both in mentoring and listening to the operators and managers to understand potential issues and desires for each mill.
  • Understand the water quality specifications and chemical treatment programs for each pressure range for the operating boilers. The candidate will know and ensure the IP policies and specifications that guide proper water quality are being applied. The candidate will gain understanding of the different types of boilers and the circulation of water for each. The candidate should recognize potential water quality excursions, and be able to guide others on steps to identify contamination sources, eliminate the problem, and correct trends in water chemistry to resume operation within specification.
  • A considerable part of the role includes communication and execution of the boiler acid cleaning policy. This includes assisting mill teams with inspections and data acquisition plans to complete annual acid cleaning condition based scorecards. These scorecards are submitted to Power Technology for review and determination of when the boilers should be cleaned based on internal conditions, chemistry control and monitoring, and deposition data. When these cleanings are executed, this role includes onsite support for the plans, recipes, logistics, execution of steps, validation of the cleaning process, flushing, inspections, and startup procedures.
  • This position requires someone who will develop relationships with specialty chemical suppliers, and will maintain a neutral position with each supplier to benefit IP. This person will participate in the Specialty Chemical Global Sourcing events annually that award new business to mills with renewing contracts. This participation involves reviewing specifications for each mill and review of the bids from participating suppliers to ensure comparable products are being bid for the utility area chemistries.

The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry required.
  • Work experience in water chemistry related field, preferably in chemical sales and treatment programs supporting the pulp/paper industry, or work experience in mill power plant process water and boiler water treatment areas. Must have a core knowledge of chemical safety and industrial process safety management.
  • 10+ years' experience in pulp and paper industry is a must, including knowledge of specific criticality of recovery boilers in addition to power boilers and other auxiliary water and condensate processes.
  • Understanding each unit process is important to know the quality of water one can expect from each process. An in depth knowledge of clarifiers, filters (sand, Multimedia), demineralizers (cation, anion, WBA, Mixed Bed, packed beds, etc), and Reverse Osmosis skids are just a few of the unit processes found in IP mills.
  • Troubleshooting skills and technical understanding of all aspects of water chemistry, treatment, control, and testing.

COMPETENCIES:
  • Organization • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Time management • Technical Learning
  • Customer Service • Presentation and Communication Skills

About Us
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
The Career You Will Build:
Leadership training, promotional opportunities
The Impact You Will Make:
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you'll see why our team members say they're Proud to be IP.
The Culture You Will Experience:
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.
The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable our customers, teammates and shareowners to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains and create lasting value. Learn more at internationalpaper.com.
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.

What International Paper employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


International Paper logo

About International Paper

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

International Paper is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion.

Industry

Paper manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Memphis, TN, US

Year founded

1898