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
- Transcript
- Letter of Recommendation (1)
- Proof of Enrollment
- A Statement of Qualification (See job posting)
Have questions? Email DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@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
- Transcript
- Letter of Recommendation (1)
- Counties of interest
- Dates of availability
Email your internship application package to DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@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 Water Board’s Office of Enforcement seeks legal interns for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026. Legal interns will conduct legal research and writing related to water quality and water rights enforcement matters, interpret statutes and regulations, and prepare legal documents such as subpoenas, memoranda, reports, summaries, etc.
Prerequisite: We are only accepting applications from students currently attending law school.
To apply for an unpaid legal internship with the Office of Enforcement, submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and writing sample to kailyn.ellison@waterboards.ca.gov by July 14, 2025.
Current Opportunities for Students
To view a complete list of employment and internship opportunities, visit the CalCareers website.
The Division of Water Quality has an opening in Sacramento, CA for a Scientific Aid in the Sustainable Water Plans and Policies Section. 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 July 14, 2025.
The Water Board’s Office of Enforcement seeks legal interns for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 in Sacramento, CA. Legal interns will conduct legal research and writing related to water quality and water rights enforcement matters, interpret statutes and regulations, and prepare legal documents such as subpoenas, memoranda, reports, summaries, etc. The applicant must currently be attending law school.
Applications must be received by July 14, 2025.
The Division of Water Quality has an opening in Sacramento, CA for a Scientific Aid in the Wetlands Permitting and Planning Unit. 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 July 10, 2025.
The Division of Water Rights has 2 openings in Sacramento, CA for a Student Assistant in the Records Management and Digitization Unit. This is a one-year paid internship from July 2025-June 2026. The applicant must be enrolled in a college or university program.
Accepting applications now through July 10, 2025.
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening in Los Angeles, CA for a Scientific Aid in the Land Disposal and Wastewater Consolidation Unit. 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 July 3, 2025.
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening in Los Angeles, CA for a Scientific Aid in the Watershed Regulatory Seciont. 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 July 3, 2025.
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Contact Information
If you have questions regarding employment opportunities, internships or volunteer opportunities, please contact at DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@waterboards.ca.gov
To reach the Recruitment Team by phone, please call (916) 322-1686.
Connie Bi-On & Jonelle Greenwell, Talent Acquisition & Outreach Coordinators
Taylor Rodriguez, Workforce Management Analyst
Jagbir Mavi, Recruitment Unit Manager
Jenny Fitzgerald, Talent Acquisition & HR Liaison Section Manager
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Recruitment Events
Future Events Coming Soon
Interested in having the Water Boards do a free virtual info session for your university, program, or student organization?
Contact us at DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@waterboards.ca.gov with "Info Session Request" in the Subject line. Information sessions can be tailored to your group's needs.
"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."
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