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Operator Intern Jobs in Montana (NOW HIRING)

Summer Internship-Paid

Hatteras, NC

$14.25 - $17/hr

Noise levels may be moderate to loud, especially when operating equipment such as lawn mowers, trimmers, or blowers. * Must be able to hear instructions and warnings in a noisy environment.

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Operator Intern information

What is the difference between Operator Intern vs Equipment Operator?

AspectOperator Intern
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some technical training or coursework
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supervised, training-focused
Employer UsageInternship programs in manufacturing, construction, or industrial settings
Job FocusLearning and assisting with equipment operation

In contrast, an Equipment Operator is a trained professional responsible for operating heavy machinery independently. While Operator Interns are in training, Equipment Operators have more experience and certifications, enabling them to perform tasks with less supervision. The internship serves as a stepping stone toward becoming a fully qualified Equipment Operator.

What are some common challenges operator interns face during their training period?

Operator Interns often encounter challenges such as adapting to strict safety protocols, quickly learning to operate complex machinery, and understanding detailed process documentation. The fast-paced environment requires attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions precisely. Interns may also need to develop effective communication skills to work seamlessly with experienced operators and supervisors, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing downtime.

What does an operator intern do?

An Operator Intern assists experienced operators in monitoring and controlling machinery or equipment in industries such as manufacturing, utilities, or chemical processing. Their responsibilities often include observing processes, recording data, performing routine maintenance, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. This internship provides hands-on experience and training in operational procedures, troubleshooting, and compliance with industry standards. Operator Interns work under supervision to gain the skills needed for a full-time operator role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operator intern?

To thrive as an Operator Intern, you generally need a basic understanding of industrial processes, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or current enrollment in a related technical program. Familiarity with safety protocols, process control systems, and basic computer applications is typically required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure safe, efficient operations and to support learning and growth within an industrial environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operator jobs in Montana?

The most popular types of Operator jobs in Montana are:

What cities in Montana are hiring for Operator Intern jobs?

Cities in Montana with the most Operator Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Operator Intern job openings in Montana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Full Time, 48% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

$104K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


U.S. Department Of Energy rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

143rd of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This position is part of the WAPA-RMR-Rocky Mountain Region or WAPA-UGPR-Upper Great Plains Region. As an Electronics Engineer, you will be responsible for provide engineering expertise for the development and coordination of a comprehensive program for upgrading and operating communications systems, electronic supervisory control and data acquisitions systems (SCADA), operation support system, telemetering equipment, data distribution systems and remote telemetry units (RTU) for the Region.Qualifications:

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:Applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for the 0800 Series as described below:
A. Degree: Engineering:To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
-OR-
B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  • Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. -OR-
  • Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.-OR-
  • Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. (Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
AND
In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0800 Series, applicants must meet the specialized experience below.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. The experience need not have been in the federal government.
To qualify for the GS-12:Select the one statement that best describes the experience you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of an Electronics Engineer, at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience MUST include all the following:Providing technical assistance in these technologies:
  • Fiber optics
  • Radio systems (VHF, UHF, spread spectrum, microwave)
  • Data network technologies such as MPLS or SONET, TDM, IP or VOIP
To qualify for the GS-13:Select the one statement that best describes the experience you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of an Electronics Engineer, at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience MUST include all the following:Using communications systems that support transmission system facilities for computer systems such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) or Energy Management System (EMS), data and voice communication infrastructures and in these technologies:
  • Fiber optics
  • Radio systems (VHF, UHF, spread spectrum, microwave)
  • Data network technologies such as MPLS or SONET, TDM, IP or VOIP

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is primarily sedentary. Field work may take place indoors or outdoors and involve long
periods of standing, bending, and stretching to observe and study work operations in an industrial work
area.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is normally performed in an office setting. Field work to industrial areas may involve moderate risks or discomfort. Work may occasionally be performed at substation/ transmission line involving hazards requiring special safety precautions around energized circuits and equipment. The use of personal protective equipment and observance of safety precautions is required.

Education:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Employment Type: OTHER

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