Intern - Environmental

Foothill/Eastern•Irvine, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

TCA is accepting applications for undergraduate and/or graduate students for a paid internship within the Environmental Planning / Environmental Department. The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) is a public agency responsible for planning, financing, constructing and operating California’s largest toll road network. The 51-mile public toll road network, which includes State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261, are owned by Caltrans, financed with private funds, and built with virtually no tax dollars. In addition to providing regional mobility solutions that reduce congestion, TCA maintains a strong environmental commitment, having conserved and restored more than 2,100 acres of open space and wildlife habitat across 17 mitigation sites in Orange County. Funded by toll revenues, TCA has invested over $100 million in environmental initiatives that protect ecosystems and support long‑term habitat preservation.

Requirements

Must be a student or graduate student attending an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5, majoring in Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Biology, Geography, or a closely related field.
No prior professional experience is required.
Basic understanding of environmental planning principles, regulations, or natural resource topics
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to organize information, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, SharePoint, and PowerPoint)
Detail-oriented, dependable, and eager to learn in a professional environment
Ability to perform entry-level environmental planning or analysis work

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CEQA, NEPA, or permitting processes is desirable
Familiarity with GIS or data analysis tools is a plus

Responsibilities

Assist environmental staff with environmental planning, compliance, and permitting activities
Support preparation, review, and organization of CEQA/NEPA documents, technical studies, and permit materials
Assist with tracking and documenting mitigation measures and environmental commitments
Conduct environmental research, data collection, and basic analysis under staff direction
Prepare reports, summaries, and presentations for internal use
Support coordination with engineering, construction, consultants, and regulatory agencies
Participate in meetings, site visits, and occasional field inspections, as appropriate
Maintain organized project files and environmental records