Chemist Intern IS | Summer 2027

Location: Sumter, SC, United States Department: Field Technicians

The Opportunity

Clean Harbors Sumter is seeking a Chemistry 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. This opportunity is for our Summer 2027 Internship Program.

As part of our Industrial Services internship program, this opportunity will be based at Thompson Industrial location in Sumter, SC, Powered by Clean Harbors. This is an onsite, field-based internship and is not a remote opportunity. Interns should expect to spend significant time working in the field alongside our teams and traveling to customer and project sites to gain hands-on exposure to our Industrial Services operations.

Interns will work alongside experienced professionals, gain exposure to our industry, and develop practical skills that support their academic and early career goals.

Start Date

Start Dates for our Summer 2027 internships are May 17th and May 24th of 2027

Why Intern with Clean Harbors?

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

Competitive Pay - Earn $20.00 per hour while gaining industry experience.

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;

Building trusting relationships throughout the branch by spending time in the field and getting to know the critical challenges to growing the business firsthand;

Assist with basic timekeeping review, project management, and job execution;

Perform wet bench chemistry testing and analytical testing under supervision;

Support pre-job engineering preparation and documentation;

Conducting technical research to support project management activities;

Support day-to-day operations within the team by assisting with assigned tasks and projects under supervision;

Participate in team meetings, job briefings, and training sessions to build an understanding of the business;

Communicate progress, questions, and issues to the manager or assigned mentor during regular check-ins;

Complete a presentation at the end of the internship highlighting work completed and lessons learned;

Any other responsibilities given based on your internship program agenda.

What does it take to intern with Clean Harbors?

Currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering at an accredited college or university;

Strong interest in learning about the environmental services industry;

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.

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 [email protected]  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.