About the role#
Clean Harbors is seeking a Receiving Chemist Intern for our facility in Wilmington, California. This full-time, paid internship runs during the summer of 2027. You will work on-site alongside experienced professionals to gain hands-on experience in environmental services. The program starts on May 17th or May 24th and concludes in August.
What you'll do#
- Prioritize health and safety by following all company protocols and OSHA regulations.
- Receive incoming containers, verify counts, and code waste for disposal.
- Sample incoming drums and perform basic analysis using prescribed procedures.
- Sort and consolidate alkaline batteries.
- Confirm that drums are coded accurately for routing and billing.
- Assign the correct disposal process or outbound profile to all drums.
- Move drums from staging areas to designated storage locations.
- Complete necessary paperwork while ensuring all work meets QA/QC guidelines.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a chemistry or relevant degree program at an accredited college or university.
- Ability to lift 50 or more pounds.
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar technical tools.
- Ability to work well within a professional team.
- A genuine interest in the environmental services industry.
- Forklift experience is preferred but not required.
Location & details#
- Location: Wilmington, California.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Summer 2027.
About Clean Harbors
Clean Harbors provides environmental and industrial services across North America. Founded in 1980, the company manages hazardous waste, emergency spill response, and industrial cleaning for manufacturing and government clients. It operates as a public company with over 13,000 employees. The business also recycles used oil and provides parts washing services through its Safety-Kleen subsidiary.
How to get in at Clean Harbors
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at Clean Harbors, as recruiters often review candidates before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you apply among the first. This timing ensures your resume is seen while the hiring team is still actively building their shortlist. Reaching out to the right person is often more effective than submitting an application into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral. This approach often improves your response rates compared to standard online submissions.
