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 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
- Transcript
- 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. Application windows will be announced through law school career offices and on this page.
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.
The Office of Enforcement has an opening in Sacramento, CA for a Student Assistant (Engineering - Architectural Sciences) in the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Prevention Unit. 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 until graduation.
Accepting applications now through November 4, 2024.
The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening in San Diego, CA for a Data Conversion Intern (Student Assistant) in the Healthy Waters Branch. To qualify for this position, the applicant must be enrolled as a student in a college or university program.
Accepting applications now through November 19, 2024.
Stay Informed
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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.
To reach the Recruitment Team by phone, please call (916) 322-1686.
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
Sacramento, CA 95814
Recruitment Events
- 3/13/2025 9AM to 1:30PM - Twin Rivers USD Career Fair, Citrus Heights, CA
- 4/2/2024 10AM to 1PM - Chico State Non-Profit & Government Career Fair
- 4/9/2025 12PM to 4PM – UC Berkeley Spring Diversity & Inclusion Career & Internship Fair
- 4/10/2025 2PM to 4PM – UC Davis 4th annual Environmental Research & Internship Fair
- 4/16/2025 11AM to 3PM - UC Davis Spring Career Fair
- 5/22/2025 9AM to 2:30PM - Wk4CA Spring Career Fair, Sacramento, CA
Interested in having the Water Boards do a free virtual info session for your university, program, or student organization?
Contact us at recruitment@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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