Internships

2024-2025 Office of Physical Plant Internship Opportunities

Penn State’s Office of the Physical Plant is seeking student interns for the fall 2024 and the spring/summer 2025. If interested, you must submit an application in Workday, including a cover letter, resume, and two reference letters. The internship job posting can be found in Workday searching "Office of Physical Plant Internship" or REQ_0000060651.

Applications will be accepted through April 11, 2025. Cover letters should indicate the specific area of interest (see below for opportunities), otherwise applications materials may not be considered.

During the fall and spring semesters, interns may work up to 20 hours a week. During the summer, interns are expected to work 40 hours a week. Schedules and onsite locations can be discussed with the supervisor. Internships are available at University Park with compensation of $14 per hour.

Questions: Contact OPP Intern Committee at [email protected]

Facilities Project Management - Design and Construction

The Project Management department oversees and coordinates the design and construction of all new construction, renovation, and major maintenance projects for the University Park Campus. They also serve as the primary interface between customers, architects, engineers, and contractors. The Project Management intern position will be responsible for field and office work such as coordinating project resources and contractors, assisting with project documentation, and organization and assisting with project controls and budget management. It is preferred the candidate is pursuing a degree in an engineering or architecture related field. First, second, and third year architecture or engineering students are encouraged to apply.

Electrical Engineering – Design and Engineering Services

Design and Engineering Services - Electrical Engineering Group is accepting applications for Student Interns. Interns will be focused on support for the existing campus electrical utility networks, along with building electrical systems. Work duties will include but are not limited to: preparing documents for the electrical engineering team, updates and revisions to the University Design and Construction Standards, assisting troubleshooting of electrical systems, reviewing NEC/IEEE codes, drafting in AutoCAD, performing calculations, and assisting on-site building evaluations. Interns will work closely with the electrical engineering department and gain experience in the following subdisciplines: building power, lighting, and emergency backup power systems. Student may also have some exposure or learning opportunities related to power distribution, utility underground distribution, micro-grids, combined heat and power plants, and natural gas/diesel power generation. Student interns are recommended to be in an engineering field, preferably electrical, electro-mechanical, architectural engineering or similar. If interested, please complete the online application and submit a cover letter and resume.

Civil Engineering - Design and Engineering Services

Penn State's Office of Physical Plan Design and Engineering Services Civil Engineering Department has internship(s) available for summer 2025. Design and Engineering Services encompasses all stages of design from initial feasibility studies through concept development, bid document stages, and construction support. Projects primarily focus on campus beautification, roadway, parking, sidewalk, landscape/hardscape, stormwater management, and utility projects across University Park Campus and Commonwealth Campuses.

The position involves the use of AutoCAD Civil3d to prepare construction drawings, detail and other CAD related drawings. Interns will also be responsible for developing and preparing engineering proposals (Word), attending job conferences and other project-related meetings, and documenting and distributing meeting minutes. Additionally, interns will provide support using our PMIS system, e-Builder, for construction administration tasks, including preparing bulletins, responding to RFI's a, and reviewing submittals. 

Document Center – Strategic Programs

The Office of OPP Strategic Programs is seeking an intern to support the Document Center Operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Collect data for project closeout from project management sources for archive. Typical data include record drawings, engineering reports and shop drawings.
• Follow up with project teams for a complete and timely transfer.
• Perform administrative review of documents for completeness and coordinate review by stakeholders.
• Provide customer support for locating building plans and system information.
• Receive customer requests.
• Perform research on archived data, and report results as directed by supervisor.
• Assist other Document Center staff in interpreting and fulfilling customer requests.
• Print, scan and laminate paper documents to fulfill customer requests.
• Convert legacy documents into digital format for Enterprise Document Management application (DocFinity) from various media formats: blueprints, photographs, microfiche, microfilm, aperture card etc.
• Review quality (image quality, metadata quality, record completeness, format compliance) of electronic data and make quality corrections.
• Upload the document to the Document Management application.

Architecture/Landscape Architecture

The Division of Planning, Design, & Properties is seeking landscape architecture and architecture interns for the summer of 2025.

The primary mission of this group is to promote wise stewardship of the University’s physical assets and to provide responsive, high quality, and creative planning & design solutions, as well as project oversight, for both exterior and interior spaces, in support of the University’s mission.

Core responsibilities include master planning, architectural design and oversight, interior space planning and programming, landscape architectural design and oversight, exterior and interior signage, and managing University real estate.

Based on the applicants’ backgrounds and interests, the successful candidates will assist staff with a wide variety of tasks, some of which may include:

• site reconnaissance and research
• design conceptualization and development
• project design meetings and job conferences
• graphic design and production
• documentation and database management
• construction observation
• historical review and/or cataloging information regarding existing buildings
• observations and polling of user satisfaction of recently completed projects
• e-Builder and process improvement support

Excellent visual, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills are important, along with proficiency using AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office. Hand drawing skills are a plus.

Training and Development

The Office of Physical Plant Training and Development Team is responsible for the implementation of programs and facilitation of training activities focused on employee development. The team works closely with department directors, managers, and supervisors to understand professional training needs, assist and facilitate the development of training plans/programs, source and evaluate contracted service providers for training and organizational development programs, and assist with overseeing instructional design initiatives across OPP. We are seeking an intern to aid in the development and delivery of online, hybrid, and face-to-face OPP educational programs and initiatives. Desired intern duties include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting Instructional Design: Assisting in the design, development and delivery of asynchronous instructional materials and courses for the University community.
• Assisting with Program Logistics: Supporting the coordination and scheduling of logistical arrangements for training sessions, including booking locations, technology setup, and communicating with participants.
• Assisting with Content Updates: Reviewing and revising training and evaluation materials to reflect new information, processes, or organizational changes and providing recommendations to enhance learning.

Occupational Health and Safety

The intern will be assigned special projects to support the development of safety operations for the Office of Physical Plant and will help meet the overall safety compliance requirements associated with the higher education industry. The intern will assist with the development of injury prevention strategies and perform assessments for existing safety programs and procedures. Candidates should be at least in their second year of higher education, studying Occupational Health and Safety or related field.

Operational Technology

As an intern on our Operational Technology Team you would collaborate with Systems Administrators in the planning, design, maintenance, implementation, and administration of infrastructure/servers that support Operational Technology. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the implementation and utilization of robust security processes and procedures. Job responsibilities include:

• Network Design and Planning: Collaborate with our team on solutions that support the university's operations and strategic goals.
• Installation and Testing: Assist in the configuration and testing of equipment, ensuring reliability and performance.
• Operational Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Learn how to diagnose and resolve technical and process issues.
• Security Process and Procedure Development: Contribute to the implementation of security processes and procedures to protect our infrastructure from potential threats. 
• Account Management: Gain experience with an enterprise incident management platform and understanding of authorization/authentication processes.

Environmental Health and Safety - Radiation Protection Team

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for the development and implementation of environmental and all occupational health and safety programs throughout Penn State's multi-campus system. Depending on the unique skills and educational experiences of the intern candidate, possible projects may include:

• Radiological Characterization of Geological Samples - Assist with identifying and characterizing the radiological makeup of samples and specimens, including obtaining radiological measurements and identifying elemental compositions; performing trending analyses of isotopic data; assisting with documentation. Candidates should be a third or fourth year undergraduate pursuing a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or chemistry. Candidates who are third or fourth year undergraduates pursuing a Geosciences degree with a strong concentration and demonstrated knowledge in chemistry will also be considered. Projects span Spring and First Summer Semester 2025.
• Radiological Incident and Emergency Response - Perform radiological analyses, interpret and communicate results, and use the analysis outcomes to assist with advanced planning to support Incident and Emergency Response. Candidates should be either an undergraduate senior or early graduate student pursuing a degree in Nuclear Engineering. Strong analytical and communications skills desired. Experience or knowledge of Incident and Emergency Response preferred, but not required. Projects span Spring and First Summer semester 2025.
• Radiation Producing Equipment Safety - Assist with inspections and measurements of x-ray producing equipment and, as applicable, shielding evaluations and calculations. Candidates should be a student pursuing a degree in Physics. Candidates who are third or fourth year undergraduates pursuing an Electrical Engineering degree with a strong concentration and demonstrated knowledge in physics will also be considered. Experience with laboratory equipment preferred, but not required. Projects span Second Summer and Fall semesters 2025.
• Radiation Safety & Health Physics - Assist with radiation and contamination surveys and measurements; assist with radiation survey meter upkeep and calibration; provide support for laboratory counting – including liquid scintillation counting and gamma spectroscopy. Candidates should be a student pursuing a degree in Physics, Medical Physics, Health Physics, or Nuclear Engineering or a closely related field. Experience with hand-held electronic equipment preferred but not required. Projects span Second Summer and Fall semesters 2025.
• Radon Testing & Analysis - Plan, test, analyze, and report on indoor radon concentrations within University buildings and structures. Candidates should be a third or fourth year undergraduate pursuing a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, chemistry, or nuclear engineering. Candidates who are third or fourth year undergraduates pursuing Environmental Sciences or Environmental Studies with strong concentrations and demonstrated knowledge in chemistry or physics will also be considered. Projects span Fall 2024 and Spring & Summer 2025 semesters.

Environmental Health and Safety - Research Safety Team

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for the development and implementation of environmental and all occupational health and safety programs throughout Penn State's multi-campus system. Depending on the unique skills and educational experiences of the intern candidate, possible projects may include:

• General Laboratory Safety - Assist with the development of tools and resources for laboratory-related focus areas including but not limited to instructional safety, laboratory specific safety training, research equipment safety, and laboratory security. Assist in planning Laboratory Safety Week. Candidates must have completed 2 years of undergraduate laboratory courses and possess superior verbal and written communication skills. Experience working in a research laboratory is strongly preferred. Projects span spring, summer, and fall semesters depending on need.
• Biosafety - Assist University Biosafety Officers in routine tasks including risk assessments, the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), laboratory inspections and audits and incident investigations. Assist in the planning and implementation of Biosafety month. Evaluate metrics and trends in data and draft reports. Candidate should be a third or fourth year undergraduate pursuing a degree in life sciences. Candidates who are third or fourth year undergraduates pursuing Environmental Sciences or Environmental Studies with strong concentrations and demonstrated knowledge in biology, biochemistry, or other related fields will also be considered. Projects span spring, summer, and fall semesters depending on need.
• Chemical Safety - Assist with risk assessments, the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), inventory audits, and incident investigations. Evaluate metrics and draft reports. Assist with quality control of information in the safety information database. Candidates should be a third or fourth year undergraduate pursuing a degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or other related field. Candidates who are third or fourth year undergraduates pursuing Environmental Sciences or Environmental Studies with strong concentrations and demonstrated knowledge in chemistry will also be considered. Projects span spring, summer, and fall semesters depending on need.