Facilities Management Engineering Intern

Virginia Spaceport Authority Internship Program gives students the chance to apply their education to real-world challenges through meaningful, hands-on projects.  Top candidates are well-rounded students from a variety of backgrounds who demonstrate inquisitiveness, team-orientation, excellence, and resilience.  At the time you apply for this announcement, you must be a degree seeking student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half-time basis.

SUMMARY

Under supervision, with general direction and oversight, the Facilities Management Intern supports the Facilities Directorate in maintaining the overall health, readiness, and functionality of Virginia Spaceport Authority facilities. The position provides an undergraduate student with practical experience in facility operations, maintenance, project coordination, asset management, data analysis, and technical support within a complex industrial environment.

General Description:The intern will work alongside Facility Managers, maintenance personnel, contractors, engineers, and other VSA staff to support day-to-day facility activities and assigned projects. Responsibilities may include assisting with facility inspections, work order management, maintenance planning, project tracking, documentation, scheduling, inventory and asset management, budget tracking, and analysis of facility performance data.

The position is intended to provide practical exposure to the management of complex facilities and infrastructure while developing an understanding of the operational, technical, safety, financial, and customer requirements necessary to maintain facility readiness. Assignments will be appropriately scaled to the intern's education, experience, and demonstrated capabilities.

Responsibilities and Duties: 

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Facility Operations and Maintenance: Assists Facility Managers with coordinating, tracking, and documenting routine and corrective maintenance activities to support facility health, readiness, and customer requirements.
2. Facility Inspections and Field Support: Participates in facility inspections and field activities to identify maintenance needs, deficiencies, safety concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
3. Project Support: Assists with planning, coordinating, and tracking facility projects, including schedules, costs, resources, action items, and required documentation.
4. Technical Support: Assists with reviewing facility drawings, specifications, equipment documentation, procedures, and other technical information to develop an understanding of facility systems and requirements.
5. Data and Reporting: Collects, organizes, and analyzes facility-related data and metrics, including work orders, maintenance activities, project status, expenditures, equipment performance, and utility usage; assists with preparing reports and presentations.
6. Asset and Documentation Management: Assists with maintaining facility, equipment, inventory, work order, and project records to support accurate documentation and lifecycle management.
7. Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve facility reliability, efficiency, maintainability, safety, and customer support; researches and presents potential solutions under supervision.
8. Coordination and Customer Support: Works with Facilities, Engineering, Operations, Safety, Quality, Security, Procurement, contractors, vendors, and customers to support assigned facility activities.
9. Systems and Administrative Support: Utilizes Microsoft Office and applicable VSA systems to complete assignments, maintain records, track activities, and support facility management functions.
10. Training and Professional Development: Participates in required training and develops a practical understanding of facility operations, maintenance practices, safety requirements, and VSA policies and procedures.
11. Other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

General Education 

College: Current enrollment in an associate or bachelor's degree program from an accredited college or university.

Major: Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management, Architecture, Business, Project Management, Public Administration, Science, or other related technical field.

Job-Related Experience:

• Previous work, internship, laboratory, project, or academic experience related to facilities, engineering, construction, maintenance, project management, data analysis, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, diagrams, specifications, or other technical documentation is preferred.

Certifications: N/A

Licenses, etc.:  Valid driver's license is necessary when operating a vehicle while on agency business. 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Knowledge:

• General knowledge of facility operations, maintenance, construction, engineering, or project management principles.
• Basic understanding of building systems and infrastructure, such as mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or structural systems.
• General knowledge of project planning, scheduling, budgeting, documentation, and data analysis.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and a demonstrated ability to learn new systems, processes, and technical information.

Skills:To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical and Problem-Solving: Ability to collect and analyze information, identify problems, and develop practical solutions.
• Technical and Computer: Ability to apply academic knowledge to practical facility and project activities; proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn new systems.
• Communication and Teamwork: Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively with staff, contractors, vendors, and customers, and respond positively to direction and feedback.
• Organization and Professionalism: Ability to manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate records, meet deadlines, demonstrate initiative, and follow established safety and quality procedures.

Abilities:

• Learning and Application: Ability to learn facility systems, processes, and procedures and apply academic knowledge to practical work assignments.
• Communication and Collaboration: Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with agency staff, contractors, vendors, and customers.
• Organization and Execution: Ability to organize information, manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
• Judgment and Adaptability: Ability to recognize when guidance is needed, exercise sound judgment within assigned responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities and operational requirements.

Physical Demands:  

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; climb stairs or ladders; and talk or hear.

The employee may occasionally lift and/or move materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: 

Office and field work. Field work consists of active space vehicle and unmanned aircraft operational locations. 

Must be able to obtain and maintain eligibility for issuance of a NASA credential.

Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test.