Intern

Santa Margarita Water District • SMWD District Office and Service Areas, CA

210d

About The Position

Santa Margarita Water District is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Intern to join our team. This internship provides a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the Administration, Communications, Finance, Information Technology, Operations, or Water Resiliency & Use Efficiency department while learning about the vital role water agencies play in public service, environmental management, and infrastructure operations. This is a temporary entry-level position for a college student intern who will work no more than 900 hours per fiscal year and no more than 20 hours in a seven-day period. Positions assigned to this level perform limited project-based assignments and support department operations. The incumbent is expected to work professionally.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.
• Enrollment in a college, university, or vocational program.
• No prior work experience required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Communication & Team Collaboration.
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking.
• Time Management.
• Adaptability.
• Eagerness to Learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist staff with routine tasks and projects.
• Help maintain workflow efficiency within the department.
• Gather and analyze information for projects or reports.
• Summarize findings and present them to supervisors.
• Organize files, data entry, scheduling, or taking meeting notes.
• Assist with correspondence, document preparation, or database updates.
• Shadow professionals to understand organizational structure and job roles.
• Attend meetings, trainings, or site visits to gain industry insight.
• Collaborate on team assignments or individual projects.
• Contribute ideas and complete deliverables under guidance.
• Provide status updates to supervisors.
• Engage professionally with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders.
• Adhere to company protocols, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.
• Be open to guidance from mentors or supervisors.
• Make adjustments to improve performance and learning.
• Filing, organizing documents, and maintaining records.
• Assisting with reports, grant applications, or compliance paperwork.
• Learning about state and federal regulations affecting water quality and distribution.
• Assisting in compiling data for regulatory reporting.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience in various departments.
• Mentorship from experienced professionals.
• Opportunity to gain practical experience in the water industry.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Industry: Administration of Environmental Quality Programs
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees