What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer Internship in Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support - Biologist position at Santa Clara Valley Water?
Summer Internship in Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support – Biologist
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Summer Internship in Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support – Biologist
Salary
26.31 Hourly
Location
CA, CA
Job Type
Internship / Temporary Worker
Job Number
00262-SI
Division
Watersheds Summer Internship Program
Opening Date
02 / 03 / 2025
Closing Date
2 / 17 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
Summer Internship in Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support – Environmental Compliance Biologist
Location : Valley Water Headquarters (5750 Almaden Expy. San Jose, CA)
1 Internship Available!
OVERVIEW
D o 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 Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support Unit :
The Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support Unit is responsible for managing environmental compliance and support functions for Valley Water operations and maintenance (O&M) activities in both Watersheds and Water Utility Enterprise. A key focus of the unit is supporting implementation and environmental permit compliance of projects under the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP). Work performed under the SMP includes bank stabilization, instream sediment removal for flood risk reduction, minor maintenance, trash and debris removal, vegetation management, and installation and maintenance of mitigation habitat restoration sites. To meet permit requirements, the unit relies on biologists to provide biological surveys, monitoring, and clearances in compliance with environmental standards. Interns will focus primarily on providing biological support for SMP activities.
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
Required License or Certificate :
Possession of valid California’s Driver License.
WE LOOK FOR INTERNS WHO ARE :
Students pursuing a degree in biology, ecology, zoology, wildlife management, fisheries science, botany, or a related discipline in a life sciences field.
Experienced in identifying the local flora and fauna of Santa Clara County.
Interested in biological field surveys, environmental permit compliance, habitat restoration, and natural resource management.
Willingness to understand and interpret environmental laws and permitting.
GIS experience is a plus.
Able to communicate clearly (oral and written).
Valid CA driver’s license, and comfortable with driving.
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.
Conduct biological surveys and monitoring for wildlife and fish and document findings with GIS.
Communicate results of biological surveys and biological constraints for projects.
Collect data on vegetation impacts of sediment removal and bank repair activities.
Assist with fish relocation during stream dewatering events.
Attend relevant Stream Maintenance Program meetings.
Learn about Valley Water’s Stream Maintenance Practices and Procedures.
Selection Process
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 areoptionalbut 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 arenot eligibleto apply.
Students Interns or Temporary Workers are not eligible for District Benefits.
Have you participated in the Valley Water's Summer Internship Program in past years? Please note that due to the high demand of these opportunities, only new participants are eligible to apply.
The Summer Internship Program will be available during the period May 27th, 2025, through September 5th, 2025, Please specify which internship assignment you will be available to work :
May 27 – August 15, 2025 (Semester Students)
June 16 – September 5, 2025 (Quarter Students)
Please list any dates that you will not be available during the selected assignment period.
Are you able to work full-time (40 hours per week) during the Summer Internship period?
What are your preferred pronouns? ex : She / Her / Hers, He / Him / His, They / Them / Theirs
What college / university will you be enrolled in for Fall 2025?
What is your student status listed on your transcript as of Fall 2025?
First year
Second year
Third year
Fourth year
Fifth year
Master's Student
Doctorate Student
Graduated
What is your expected graduation date?
Please specify the degree you are pursuing :
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate
If you have applied to multiple summer internship positions, please list your top three preferred roles in order of interest with the corresponding job number (listed on each job posting). Example : 1. 00242-SI Groundwater Management – Water Resources / Engineering 2. 00248-SI Environmental Health & Safety 3. 00250-SI Office of Communications – Graphic Services
What is your major / field of study :
Biology
Ecology
Zoology
Wildlife Management
Fisheries Science
Botany
Other
If "Other" was selected in the previous question, please indicate your major / field of study.
How did you hear about the Summer Internship Program (select all that apply)?
Baywork.org
Calopps.org
Career Fair
College / University
Community Organization
CUWA and CSU-WATER Webinar on 2.5.2025
Flyer
Friend or Relative
Governmentjobs.com
Handshake
Social Media (LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
Valley Water Employee
Valley Water Website
Other
If you responded Career Fair, College / University, Community Organization, or Other to Question 13, please specify the name. If this does not apply to you, please enter "N / A".
If you responded Email or Valley Water Employee to Question 13, please specify who informed you. If this does not apply to you, please enter "N / A".
This position requires the intern to travel to various sites to fulfill their job responsibilities. Do you possess a valid California Driver's License? NOTE : Valley Water does offer fleet vehicles, so you do not have to drive your personal vehicle.
Yes, I have a valid California Driver's License.
No, I do NOT have a valid California Driver's License.
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to work at Valley Water. Include relevant coursework, career goals, what you know about our agency, and how this internship fits your career plans. (Tailor your answer to the specific internship you are applying to).
Please describe a school project, extracurricular activity, work experience, community involvement, or hobby that has helped you develop the skills needed to succeed in this Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support – Environmental Compliance Biologist Internship. What was your specific role in this activity or project? What skills and abilities did you contribute to ensure its success? Please provide specific examples of how you contributed and the overall outcome of the project or activity. (Tailor your answer to the specific internship you are applying to).
Please describe an experience where you had to manage multiple tasks or responsibilities. How did you prioritize them, and what was the outcome? If you used any software or tools to help manage the tasks, please list them.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are core values at Valley Water. What does DEI mean to you and how will you demonstrate your commitment to DEI in this role?
I acknowledge that all Valley Water Employees (including temps and interns) must live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs.
Required Question
Employer
Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)
Address
5750 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, California, 95118
Phone
1-408-630-2260
Website
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Salary : $26