Summer Internship in Water Supply Planning and Conservation Unit Water Supply Intern
Valley Water
Salary: $28.27 Hourly
Job Type: Internship/Temporary Worker
Job Number: 00268-SI
Location: CA, CA
Department: Water Supply Summer Internship
Closing: 2/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
Summer Internship in Water Supply Planning and Conservation Unit - Water Supply Intern
Location: Valley Water Headquarters (5700 Almaden Expy. San Jose, CA)
1 Internship Available!
OVERVIEW
Do you want to make a difference in your community while also gaining priceless career experience? Do you want to expand your network and build your resume while learning about the water industry? If so, a summer internship with Valley Water may be the best choice for you! Join us and use your talents to help maintain safe and clean water for a healthy environment.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship.
About Valley Water:
Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San Jose, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
About Next Gen Career Pathway's Summer Internships:
The 2026 College Summer Internship Program offers students nationwide a chance to gain practical experience while exploring careers in the water industry. Each intern will have a Valley Water staff mentor and will receive professional development training, participate in networking events, and prepare a capstone presentation at the end of the program. Although some positions in the program will follow a hybrid format, with a mix of in-office and remote work based on business needs, other roles may require interns to work on-site full-time in a lab, office, or field setting, as specified in the job postings.
About The Water Supply Planning and Conservation Unit:
The Water Supply Planning and Conservation Unit supports Valley Water's mission by leading countywide water supply planning for Santa Clara County. The unit is responsible for developing Valley Water's long-range water supply plans to guide investment decisions as well as meeting regulatory requirements. This work includes evaluating current and future water supplies and demands, developing long-term water supply strategies, and assessing existing and proposed water supply investments to ensure reliable service for the county.
Interns working with the unit gain exposure to real-world water supply planning projects, including demand forecasting, long-term planning studies, and evaluation of water supply options and infrastructure investments. The unit also incorporates the effects of long-term water conservation programs into planning analyses and supports conservation initiatives across multiple sectors as part of an integrated water supply strategy. These projects provide interns with hands-on experience in data analysis and planning, while contributing to ensuring a clean, reliable water supply for Santa Clara County now and in the future.
INTERNSHIP LOCATION STATUS: This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite. For hybrid work, intern must perform their work in the state of California within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in (San Jose, California) by their start date.
Required License or Certificate
DESIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Students pursuing a degree in water resources management, natural resources management, planning, civil or other field of engineering, environmental studies, urban planning, geology, physical sciences, earth sciences, natural sciences or a similar field.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel for data organization, basic analysis, and visualization (e.g., sorting, formulas, tables, and charts), or an interest in developing these skills further.
- Experience with word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word) to format reports, summaries, and technical documents.
- Interest in water supply planning, water resources management, or related environmental or engineering topics.
- Coursework or familiarity with data analysis, environmental studies, engineering, planning, economics, or a related field.
- Ability to organize and manage datasets, files, and documentation to support planning and analysis tasks.
- Interest in supporting technical studies, long-term planning efforts, or policy analysis related to water supply.
- Ability to follow instructions, document methods, and communicate findings clearly in written form.
- Interest in learning how water supply data, forecasts, and planning studies inform infrastructure and investment decisions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERNSHIP TASKS (Representative duties include, but are not limited to):
- Support water supply planning projects by assisting staff with data collection, organization, and basic analysis related to water supplies and demands.
- Support information gathering and documentation updates for specific planning topics under staff guidance.
- Maintain and update spreadsheets, tables, and datasets used in water supply planning, monitoring, and reporting using Microsoft Excel.
- Assist with preparing, updating, and formatting planning documents, technical memoranda, and summaries in Microsoft Word.
- Help review, organize, and document planning methodologies, data sources, and reference materials.
Selection Process
ELIGIBILITY:
- Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited community college or college/university and have completed at least two full-time years of study (i.e., entering their third/rising third or fourth year) by Fall 2026, or have graduated within the past six months.
- Graduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program at a college or university in Fall 2026 or have completed their degree within the past six months.
- Proof of enrollment will be required prior to the start of the assignment.
- Applicants must be able to work full-time (40 hours/week) during the College Summer Internship Program.
- Only applicants who have not participated in a Valley Water College Summer Internship Program before will be considered.
- Valley Water requires interns to work within 150 miles of the Valley Water office they are to report to by their start date. The intern must perform their work in the State of California, not more than 150 miles from Valley Water's Headquarters' (5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, or Valley Water's Sacramento Office: 1121 L Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, CA) for the duration of their internship.
- Selected candidates must pass a pre-employment screening process, which includes reference and background/criminal checks.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted February 2 through February 15, 2026.
To apply, applicants must submit the following through the online application system:
- A fully completed online Employment Application with all required questions answered. We encourage applicants to share details about relevant work experience, academic projects, volunteer activities, and/or extracurricular involvement.
- Complete the supplemental questions in the job application with detail and honesty. These questions help us better understand your interests and experiences. If you are applying to multiple internships, please tailor your answer to every internship you are applying for. Please ensure your supplemental responses are specific to each internship job posting. Do not indicate "see resume" as a response to any of the questions.
- Resumes and cover letters are optional but are helpful and appreciated by the Mentors reviewing the applications. Please label and include these documents in the "Attachments" section.
- Former participants in Valley Water's Summer Internship or Water Works Program are not eligible to apply.
To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scvwd/jobs/5205785/summer-internship-in-water-supply-planning-and-conservation-unit-water-supply-i
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