What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer Internship in Environmental Health & Safety position at Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)?
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
Summer Internship in Environmental Health & Safety
Location: Valley Water Headquarters (5750 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! Come apply your talents to help secure safe and clean water for a healthy environment.
Our Commitment:
Racial equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to Valley Water. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity, contributes to inclusion, and strengthens belonging by broadening our perspective and collective understanding of the world around us to accomplish our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, 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 José, 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:
Our popular internship program provides excellent opportunities to explore your chosen career path, develop industry specific skills and knowledge, and increase your professional network! As part of the Valley Water community, you get an insider’s perspective on the way we work and the impact we are able to make. The Summer 2025 Internship Program will provide interns with training and experience leveraging collaboration tools while either working on-site or hybrid. Summer Interns will be given one-on-one mentorship, professional development training and an hourly pay of $26.31. At the end of the program interns are to prepare and present a Capstone presentation to share their experience and achievements.
About The Environmental Health & Safety Unit:
The Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Unit at Valley Water plays a vital role in ensuring the organization’s compliance with environmental, occupational health, and safety regulations. Our mission is to provide technical expertise and collaborate with management, supervisors, and employees to implement programs and initiatives that safeguard staff, protect the environment, and preserve property. The Unit focuses on managing a broad range of programs related to occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, fire protection, hazardous materials management, and biological safety.
INTERNSHIP LOCATION STATUS: This internship will be reporting in-person. This position is not eligible for a hybrid telework schedule. The intern is expected to report to the office for the duration of the internship.
Required License or Certificate:
Possession of valid California’s Driver License.
WE LOOK FOR INTERNS WHO ARE:
- Students pursuing a degree in business administration, industrial safety, construction technology, environmental sciences, health sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, occupational health and safety or a related field.
- Eager to learn and apply environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) standards, regulations, and procedures to real-world scenarios.
- Familiar with or willing to learn the processes, equipment, and environmental conditions involved in construction and facility maintenance work, including accident prevention measures and the use of protective devices.
- Organized and detail-oriented, with experience or interest in recordkeeping, database management, and ordering materials and supplies.
- Effective communicators and capable of drafting meeting agendas, taking meeting minutes, and preparing reports.
- Customer-service focused, capable of working collaboratively with the public, vendors, contractors, and Valley Water staff.
- Ready to develop and deliver safety training materials and assist with scheduling, coordinating, and hosting safety training sessions for employees.
- Comfortable using specialized software for presentations and reports, and proficient in standard office procedures, methods, and equipment.
- Proactive problem-solvers who can research, compile, and summarize data to support EH&S initiatives.
- Excited to work in a dynamic environment, operate safety equipment, and participate in inspections and audits to help promote a safe and compliant workplace.
AS AN INTERN YOU WILL:
- Participate in biweekly learning sessions held every other Friday alongside fellow interns, focusing on elevating career readiness and cultivating professional development skills.
- Provide technical support for the administration of Valley Water's environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) programs.
- Participate in staff and committee meetings, attend workshops and training sessions, and contribute to the preparation of meeting agendas and minutes.
- Assist with tracking and managing inspection forms, corrective action plans, and supporting documentation to ensure timely resolution of unsatisfactory conditions and compliance with District and regulatory requirements.
- Assist with developing, tracking, and managing Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) forms, and supporting documentation to ensure potential hazards are correctly identified.
- Perform facility EH&S compliance inspections, manage inspection metrics, and ensure that records comply with retention schedules and documentation standards.
- Assist with conducting technical training sessions on EH&S topics and providing guidance on the proper use of safety equipment for Valley Water staff.
- Research and write technical informational articles for distribution across Valley Water.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Summer Internship Program is open to undergraduate & graduate students who are third year and above enrolled in a college/university for Fall 2025.
- Pass a pre-employment screening process, including a background check.
- Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start of assignment.
- Can work full-time (40 hours/week) during the Summer Internship Program
- May 27 – August 15, 2025 (Semester Students)
- June 16 – September 5, 2025 (Quarter Students)
APPLICATION PROCESS:
We will be accepting applications from February 3rd through February 17, 2025. You will need to provide the following with the online application:
- Fully completed online Employment Application with all required questions answered. We are very interested in learning about your previous work experience, school projects, volunteer events and/or extracurricular activities.
- Complete the supplemental questions in the job application with detail and honesty. These questions will help us get to know you better. Please tailor your answer to the specific internship you are applying for. 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 Managers reviewing the applications.
- Interns who have participated in the Valley Water's Summer Internship Program in past years are not eligible to apply.
Salary : $26
