student program banner

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Get Involved and Make a Difference!

The State Water Boards offer exciting internship opportunities. If you are interested in mentoring with professionals whose mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources, this is an opportunity for you.

The State Water Boards’ Internship Program offers both paid and non-paid internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students of all majors and backgrounds.

These programs are designed to provide students who have an interest in California’s water resources with practical, real-world experience. Our internships may qualify for academic credit and are coordinated between the student and school. Interns' hours vary and are dependent on the needs of the Water Boards and the intern.

If you are a student interested in water resources, an internship position with the Water Boards may be just what you are looking for.

Student Programs

Intern with the Water Boards!


The Water Boards are seeking undergraduate and graduate talent of all majors and backgrounds who have an interest in California’s water resources. The Water Boards are responsible for monitoring water quality, ensuring safe drinking water, developing polices and permits to protect all uses of water, and providing financial assistance to protect the public and environment.

To apply for a nonpaid (volunteer) internship at the Water Boards, please submit the following:

  • STD 678 Job Application
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Transcript
  • Letter of Recommendation (1)
  • Counties of interest
  • Dates of availability

Email your internship application package to internship@waterboards.ca.gov.

Current Opportunities for Students

To view a complete list of employment and internship opportunities, visit the CalCareers website.

The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening in Riverside, CA for a Scientific Aid in the Municipal Stormwater Unit to assist in the administration of its stormwater programs. To qualify for a Scientific Aid position, the applicant must have completed a minimum of 10 semester hours in science courses, equivalent to about 2 years of college.

Accepting applications now through April 4, 2024.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Financial Assistance has an opening in Sacramento, CA for a Student Assistant (Engineering-Architectural Sciences) in the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Section. To qualify for this position, the applicant must be enrolled in an engineering program. Depending upon availability of funding for the position, the selected candidate would be able to continue working in the Sacramento office until graduation.

Accepting applications now through April 4, 2024.

Recruitment Events

Chico State Nonprofit & Government Fair
400 W. 1st St.
Chico, CA 95926
April 3, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.

University of San Francisco Best Places to Work Pop-Up
2130 Fulton Steet
San Francisco, CA 94117
April 4, 2024
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

UC Davis Environmental Science & Policy Undergraduate Research & Internship Fair
350 N. Quad
Davis, CA 95616
April 5, 2024
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m

Caltech & Harvey Mudd Spring 2024 STEM Virtual Career Fair
Handshake Online Platform
April 16, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Napa Valley College Career Fair
2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy.
Napa, CA 94558
April 16, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

UC Davis Spring Career Fair
750 Orchards Rd.
Davis, CA 95616
April 17, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

UC Santa Barbara Industry Without Borders Dinner
UC Santa Barbara
Goleta, CA 93106
April 18, 2024
6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

University STEM Virtual Career Info Session
Handshake Online Platform
April 23, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Stay Informed

Email Subscription Topic

Subscribe to receive notifications and the latest updates on employment, internship, and volunteer opportunities.

Joaquin Esquivel

"It's because of the formative opportunities internships have provided me that I'm excited to see the Water Boards develop a focused program," said State Water Resources Control Board Member E. Joaquin Esquivel. "Like many sectors, the water sector is facing a tidal change as retirements multiply and challenges filling critical positions grow. I see this program as a first step to greater engagement by the Boards in workforce development challenges sector wide.

"Although it's a benefit for us as an agency to have new bright minds at the Boards, the program is designed first and foremost to meet the needs of the students," Esquivel said. "The work at the Water Boards is diverse, demanding and crucial to so many Californians. With a successful initial cohort, I'm hopeful the program will continue to expand the number of paid opportunities in future years."

Get Involved

Shuka

Value of An Internship

View
Joaquin Esquivel

Importance of Internships

View
Cedric Irving

Being An Environmental Scientist

View

Follow Us

#OurWaterOurFuture
#CaWaterBoards

twitter logo

linkedin logo

youtube logo

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding internship and volunteer opportunities, please contact internship@waterboards.ca.gov.

If you have questions regarding employment opportunities, please contact recruitment@waterboards.ca.gov.

 

Connie Bi-On & Daniel Sandoval, Talent Acquisition & Outreach Coordinators
Jagbir Mavi, Recruitment Unit Manager
Jenny Fitzgerald, Talent Acquisition & HR Liaison Section Manager

1001 I Street, 18th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Static map of CalEPA Bldg located at 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Static map can also be clicked to open in Google Maps within a new browser tab.