STUDENT PROGRAMS

Get Involved and Make a Difference!

The State Water Boards offers 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.

News Advisory: Water Boards Announce New Statewide Internship Program

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 internships@waterboards.ca.gov.

Current Internship Opportunity

Region 8 - Santa Ana: Non-Paid Internship Opportunity

Legal Internship with the Office of Chief Counsel (OCC)

None at this time.

If you have questions please contact Anne.Hartridge@waterboards.ca.gov

Legal Internship with the Office of Enforcement

The Water Board's Office of Enforcement seeks legal interns for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024. 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. Opportunities for partial telework within the State of California may be available. Prerequisite: Only accepting applications from students currently attending law school.

To apply for an unpaid legal internship with the Office of Enforcement, submit the following to kailyn.ellison@waterboards.ca.gov:

A cover letter
A resume
An unofficial transcript
A writing sample (7 pages or less)

Applications must be received by July 14, 2023. Applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Recruitment Events

San Jose State University
Fall '22 Business, Financial Services & Logistics Job/Internship Fair
September 13th, 2022
In-Person, 12 pm - 5 pm

University of Nevada, Reno
STEM Career and Internship Fair
September 14th, 2022
In-Person, 10 am - 2 pm

Long Beach State University
Engineering and Technology Career Fair
September 14th, 2022
In-Person, 12 pm – 4 pm

Chico State University
Technical Career Fair
September 15th, 2022
In-Person, 11:30 am - 3:30 pm

UC Merced
Fall 2022 UC Merced Career & Internship Fair
September 27th, 2022
In-Person, 11 am - 2 pm

CSU Dominguez Hills
2022 Fall Business, Government & Technology Fair
October 5th, 2022
In-Person, 12 pm - 3 pm

Stanford University
Job and Internship Fair
October 12th, 2022
In-Person, 9 am - 2 pm

UC Davis
Job and Internship Fair
October 12th, 2022
In-Person, 10 am - 2 pm

UC Irvine
STEM Career Fair
October 13th, 2022
In-Person, 10 am - 2 pm

University of Redlands
Job and Internship Fair
October 18th, 2022
In-Person, 9 am - 2 pm

CSU Bakersfield
Job and Internship Fair
October 18th, 2022
In-Person, 9 am - 2 pm

Cal State Fullerton
Stem and Internship Fair
October 19th, 2022
In-Person, 3 pm - 5:30 pm

Sacramento State University
Fall 2022 Engineering & Computer Science Career Fair
October 21st, 2022
In-Person, 9 am - 2 pm

UC Berkeley
2022 Fall Civil & Environmental Engineering
October 26th, 2022
In-Person, 4 pm - 7 pm

Oregon Institute of Technology - Klamath Falls Campus
Fall 2022 Engineering & Technology Fair -
November 9th, 2022
In-Person, 1 pm - 4 pm

“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