Water Quality Intern

Position Description 

Under supervision, the qualified candidate will provide both administrative and field monitoring support to the Water Quality Department. The candidate will have opportunities to assist with activities in the office and in the field related to groundwater and surface water sampling throughout the Santa Ana Watershed and primarily in the northern Orange Count area. Based on schedule availability, the responsibilities of this position will include both administrative tasks (organizing, filing, sorting, documenting, composing, digitizing, computing, etc.) and will include routine outdoor field work (water sample acquisition, depth to groundwater measurement, field meter measurements, and sample deliveries to laboratories).

Typical Qualifications:
Must be enrolled in an accredited bachelor’s or graduate program with emphasis in physical or life sciences, environmental studies, and/or related fields and be available for at least one year. Basic science background (physical or life sciences, environmental studies, and/or related fields). PC computer literacy (including experience with Microsoft Office suite). Good organizational skills and ability to follow directions. A valid California Class “C” Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance are required. Experience performing basic laboratory tasks and knowledge of basic safety procedures. This position requires the incumbent to be physically able to operate outdoors on both land and, infrequently, water.
Internships intend to provide meaningful training and work experience for students pursuing academic studies related to the District’s mission and goals. Interns must submit proof of full-time enrollment, class schedules, and grades each semester/quarter. Interns are not eligible for employee benefits. Interns are “at-will” and can be terminated at the discretion of the Department Manager with or without cause and with or without prior notice. This is not a seasonal internship. Interns work year-round.

#1 - Interns must be currently enrolled full time (Fall/Spring) in an accredited bachelor’s or graduate program related to this field.
#2 - Interns must have at least one calendar year remaining in school.
(You will not be considered if you do not meet the criteria for both #1 & #2 above)
 

Please attach or include the following documents to your application:

• Cover Letter with your expected graduation date, your hours available to work (Mon-Fri), and an explanation of how your schooling relates to this internship.
• Class Schedule/Unofficial Transcript showing your current enrollment in a bachelor’s or graduate degree program. The document must list your name and school name, current GPA, units, and your current or upcoming class schedule and the hours available to work (20-25 hours per week).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Physical:
Positions in this class typically require balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Medium Work: Lifting up to 75 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 60 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10-30 pounds constantly. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors (including ability to describe odors), dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, intense noises, and travel. Incumbents require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light amounts of weight; verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision:
See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; vision to distinguish colors and describe; and to operate assigned equipment.
 

Hearing:
Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Working Environment:
Positions in this class are required to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Incumbents will be required to work in and around water on a regular basis.
 

Hourly Rate: Undergraduate: $17 per hour & Graduate: $20 per hour