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Summer Internship in the Office of Government Relations

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Summer Internship in the Office of Government Relations

Salary

$28.27 Hourly

Location

CA, CA

Job Type

Internship/Temporary Worker

Job Number

00264-SI

Division

External Affairs Summer Internship Program

Opening Date

11/03/2025

Closing Date

11/16/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!

Summer Internship in Office of Government Relations

1 Internship Available!

OVERVIEW

Are you interested in natural resources and environmental protection? Do you want to gain valuable experience working on state policies related to climate change, water supply, and flood protection? Do you want to expand your network and build your resume while learning about the state legislative process? If you do, then Valley Water’s Sacramento Government Relations internship may be right for you!

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Silicon Valley with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. We manage an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection, and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. Our popular internship program provides excellent opportunities to explore your chosen career path, develop industry specific skills and knowledge, and increase your professional network!

This position is a hybrid internship where the candidate will start part-time in February, transition to full-time during the summer internship program, and return to part-time before concluding in September. During the Summer program, this intern will be given professional development training, participate in networking events, attend virtual meetings with our San Jose office, and prepare a Capstone presentation at the end of the program. Interns will travel to San Jose at least 2 times for in person events. Valley Water’s Sacramento Office of Government Relations serves as the internal and external connection for state legislation, regulation, and supplemental funding opportunities for Valley Water.

Interviews for this position will be held in person 12/15/2025 - 12/17/2025.

Intern compensation is $28.27 per hour.

INTERNSHIP LOCATION STATUS:

+ This internship will be held in Valley Water’s Sacramento Office – 1121 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, near the State Capitol.

+ This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working up to 40% remote and 60% onsite. For hybrid work, the intern must perform their work in the State of California within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in (Sacramento, California) by their start date.

Effective Monday, January 1, 2024, Valley Water will no longer require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for regular employees, temporary staff, student interns, retiree annuitants, and/or contractors.

Required License or Certificate

WE LOOK FOR INTERNS WHO ARE:

+ Pursuing a major in Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Law, Communications, or other majors with a nexus to public policy or environmental management.

+ Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

+ Excellent writing and oral communication skills, detail oriented, analytical, organized, quick learner a MUST.

+ Comfortable engaging new people in any environment.

+ Comfortable with a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

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.

+ Track and analyze legislation and work closely with local government and federal affairs staff.

+ Prepare speaking points, speeches, presentations, and other communications for Board members and staff.

+ Attend internal and external meetings and prepare white papers and summaries to brief staff.

+ Under mentor supervision, receive and respond to inquiries from external partners and Santa Clara County residents.

+ Assist in coordinating tours of Valley Water facilities for elected and appointed officials and stakeholders.

+ Assist in coordinating Valley Water's participation in community events and festivals.

+ Advocate and help secure support for Valley Water projects from elected officials and advocacy stakeholders.

+ Interact with Valley Water Board members and staff, external elected officials, diverse advocacy stakeholders, and community groups.

+ Support other Government Relations programs and projects as needed.

Selection Process

ELIGIBILITY:

+ Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited community college or college/university and have completed at least two full-time years of study (i.e., entering their third or fourth year) by Fall 2026, or have graduated within the past six months.

+ Graduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program at a college or university in Fall 2026 or have completed their degree within the past six months.

+ Proof of enrollment will be required prior to the start of the assignment.

+ Applicants must be able to work part time from February till the summer and then full-time (40 hours/week) during the Summer Internship Program

+ May – August (Semester Students)

+ June – September (Quarter Students)

+ Only applicants who have not participated in a Valley Water College Summer Internship Program before will be considered.

+ Selected candidates must pass a pre-employment screening process, which includes reference and background/criminal checks.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

We will be accepting applications fromNovember 3 through November 16. 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. 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.

01

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.

+ Yes

+ No

02

This position is a hybrid internship where the candidate will start in February (part time) and then join the summer program (full time) for June to August and conclude in September. The Summer Internship Program will be available during the period May 26, 2026, through September 4, 2026. Please specify which summer internship assignment you will be available to work:

+ Semester Students: May 26, 2026 to August 14, 2026 (12 weeks)

+ Quarter Students: June 15, 2026 to September 4, 2026 (12 weeks)

03

Please list any dates that you will not be available during the selected assignment period.

04

Are you able to work full-time (32-40 hours per week) during the Summer Internship period?

+ Yes

+ No

05

What are your preferred pronouns? ex: She/Her/Hers, He/Him/His, They/Them/Theirs

06

Do you have a valid California driver's license?

+ Yes

+ No

07

What college/university will you be enrolled in for Fall 2026? *If you have graduated, please notate what school you graduated from and when. (month/year)

08

What is your student status listed on your transcript as of Fall 2024?

+ First year

+ Second year

+ Third year

+ Fourth year

+ Fifth year +

+ Graduated with Bachelors Degree

+ Graduate student

+ Graduated with Masters Degree

+ Doctorate

09

What is your expected graduation date? (month and year) *If you have already graduated, list the month and year of your graduation.

10

Please specify the degree you are pursuing or have graduated with:

+ Associate's

+ Bachelor's

+ Master's

+ Doctorate

11

What is your major/field of study:

+ Public Policy

+ Public Administration

+ Political Science

+ Business Administration

+ Communications

+ Environmental Studies

+ Law

+ Other

12

If "Other" was selected in the previous question, please indicate your major/field of study.

13

How did you hear about the Summer Internship Program (select all that apply)?

+ Baywork.org

+ Calopps.org

+ Career Fair

+ College/University

+ Community Organization

+ Email

+ Flyer

+ Friend or Relative

+ Governmentjobs.com

+ Handshake

+ Social Media (LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)

+ Valley Water Employee

+ Valley Water Website

+ Other

14

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".

15

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".

16

Please briefly describe why you are interested in a summer internship at Valley Water and how it will support your career goals.

17

Please briefly describe a school project, extracurricular or community activities, hobbies or interests that has provided you with the knowledge and skills to be successful in this specific internship. What was your role? What skills and abilities did you bring to this project or event to assist with its success? Be as specific as possible.

18

Please describe a time where you faced a challenge. How did you overcome it and what insights or skills did you gain from the situation?

Required Question

Employer

Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)

Address

5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118

Phone

1-408-630-2260

Website

https://www.valleywater.org

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