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

Get Paid To Make A Difference!

The Water Boards are seeking undergraduate and graduate students to work with dedicated mentors on important issues including climate change, water conservation, drinking water, water quality, and groundwater. Visit CalCareers for opportunities.

To apply for a paid internship at the Water Boards, please submit the following:

STD 678 Job Application
Cover Letter
Resume
Letter of Recommendation (1)
Proof of Enrollment
A Statement of Qualification (See job posting)

Have questions? Email internship@waterboards.ca.gov.

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
Letter of Recommendation (1)
Counties of interest
Dates of availability

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

Legal Internship with the Office of Chief Counsel (OCC)

The Office of Chief Counsel offers summer, fall, and spring externships. Application windows will be announced through law school career offices.

If you have questions, please contact Lauren Marshall at Lauren.Marshall@waterboards.ca.gov

Legal Internship with the Office of Enforcement (OE)

The Office of Enforcement offers summer, fall, and spring externships. All positions are currently filled. Application windows will be announced on this page and through law school career offices.

If you have questions, please contact Kailyn Ellison at Kailyn.Ellison@waterboards.ca.gov.

Current Opportunities for Students

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

All Student Internships

Central Coast Water Board has an exciting opportunity in San Luis Obispo, CA for individuals passionate about environmental and community resilience to be a CivicSpark fellow! CivicSpark is an award-winning AmeriCorps program that addresses environmental and social equity challenges through local government and community capacity building. The selected fellow will be working on climate adaptation and environmental justice work related to wastewater facilities (specific project emphasis is flexible based on the fellows specific expertise).

CivicSpark has many benefits including: $34,000 Stipend, $6895 Segal Education Award, Student Loan Forbearance, Health insurance, Childcare assistance, Professional development and leadership training, and Network development. Anyone with a degree related to environmental science, geology, engineering, or environmental justice can apply – a new graduate or even someone who has been in the job force, but is looking for a fresh new opportunity!

Accepting applications for this project now through September 29, 2023.

Central Coast Civic Spark Fellowship

The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for a Paid Student Intern in the Southern Cannabis Regulatory Unit of the Cannabis & Enforcement Division. The position could be located in either of two North Coast Regional offices: Santa Rosa in Sonoma County or Eureka in Humboldt County.

Accepting applications now through October 3, 2023.

North Coast Paid Internship

The State Water Resources Control Board has an opening in Sacramento, CA for a Graduate Student Assistant who will assist the Office of Legislative Affairs in the development of internal legislative affairs materials. The Graduate Student Assistant will work independently to review and analyze state and federal legislation impacting Water Boards, assist in preparing special legislative reports on behalf of the Water Boards, and assist in responding to inquiries from the Legislature. The Graduate Student Assistant will also assist in providing and coordinating briefings for the Legislature and legislative staff, and participating in internal staff meetings as required.

Accepting applications now through October 3, 2023.

Office of Legislative Affairs Internship

Recruitment Events

UC Merced Fall Career & Internship Fair
5200 Lake Road
Merced, CA 95343
September 28, 20233
10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

CSU Bakersfield Fall Career Expo
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311
October 5, 2023
11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fresno State Fall STEAM Career & Internship Fair
5241 N. Maple Ave.
Fresno, CA 93740
October 10, 2023
11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Virtual Career Expo
Virtual for select HSI institutions
October 12, 2023
11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Asian Resources, Inc. (ARI) Job Fair
6270 Elder Creek Rd.
Sacramento, CA 95824
October 13, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

San Francisco State Fall College of Science & Engineering (STEM) Career Fair
1600 Holloway Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94132
October 16, 2023
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

UC Davis STEM Career Fair
University Credit Union Center
750 Orchard Rd.
Davis, CA 95616
October 19, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

UC Davis 10th Annual Civil Engineering Career Fair
Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) Ballroom A & B
760 Orchard Rd.
Davis, CA 95616
October 30, 2023 & October 31, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Stay Informed

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“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."

Joaquin Esquivel, Board Chair State Water Boards