STUDENT PROGRAMS
Get Involved and Make a Difference!
The State Water Boards offer exciting internship opportunities. If you are interested in mentoring with professionals whose mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California's water resources, this is an opportunity for you.
The State Water Boards' Internship Program offers both paid and non-paid internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students of all majors and backgrounds.
These programs are designed to provide students who have an interest in California's water resources with practical, real-world experience. Our internships may qualify for academic credit and are coordinated between the student and school. Interns' hours vary and are dependent on the needs of the Water Boards and the intern.
If you are a student interested in water resources, an internship position with the Water Boards may be just what you are looking for.
Student Programs
Get Paid To Make A Difference!
The Water Boards are seeking undergraduate and graduate students to work with dedicated mentors on important issues including climate change, water conservation, drinking water, water quality, and groundwater. Visit CalCareers for opportunities.
To apply for a paid internship at the Water Boards, please submit the following:
- STD 678 Job Application
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Transcript
- Letter of Recommendation (1)
- Proof of Enrollment
- A Statement of Qualification (See job posting)
Have questions? Email DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@waterboards.ca.gov .
Intern with the Water Boards!
The Water Boards are seeking undergraduate and graduate talent of all majors and backgrounds who have an interest in California's water resources. The Water Boards are responsible for monitoring water quality, ensuring safe drinking water, developing polices and permits to protect all uses of water, and providing financial assistance to protect the public and environment.
To apply for a nonpaid (volunteer) internship at the Water Boards, please submit the following:
- STD 678 Job Application
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Transcript
- Letter of Recommendation (1)
- Counties of interest
- Dates of availability
Email your internship application package to DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@waterboards.ca.gov.
Legal Internship with the Office of Chief Counsel (OCC)
The Office of Chief Counsel offers summer, fall, and spring externships. Application windows will be announced through law school career offices. To be considered, applicants should submit a Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript, and 3-5 Page Writing Sample.
If you have questions, please contact Chris Moskal at Christopher.Moskal@waterboards.ca.gov
Legal Internship with the Office of Enforcement (OE)
The Office of Enforcement offers summer, fall, and spring legal internships. Application windows will be announced through law school career offices and on this page.
If you have questions, please contact Kailyn Ellison at kailyn.ellison@waterboards.ca.gov
Current Opportunities for Students
To view a complete list of employment and internship opportunities, visit the CalCareers website.
The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has 1 opening in Redding, CA for a Scientific Aid in the Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement Unit. To qualify for a Scientific Aid position, the applicant must have completed a minimum of 10 semester hours in science courses, equivalent to about 2 years of college.
Accepting applications now through August 10, 2026.
The Office of Enforcement has 1 opening in Sacramento, CA for a Student Assistant (Engineering & Architectural Sciences) in the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Prevention Unit. To qualify for this position, the applicant must be enrolled in an engineering program. The selected candidate may be able to continue working until graduation, subject to the availability of funding for the position.
Accepting applications now through August 10, 2026.
The San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board has 1 opening in Oakland, CA for a Scientific Aid in its Planning Division. To qualify for a Scientific Aid position, the applicant must have completed a minimum of 10 semester hours in science courses, equivalent to about 2 years of college.
Accepting applications now through August 12, 2026.
The Division of Water Quality has 1 opening in Sacramento, CA for a Scientific Aid in the Sustainable Water Plans and Policies I Section. To qualify for a Scientific Aid position, the applicant must have completed a minimum of 10 semester hours in science courses, equivalent to about 2 years of college.
Accepting applications now through August 18, 2026.
Stay Informed
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Contact Information
If you have questions regarding employment opportunities, internships or volunteer opportunities, please contact at DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@waterboards.ca.gov
To reach the Recruitment Team by phone, please call (916) 322-1686.
Connie Bi-On, Talent Acquisition & Outreach Coordinator
Taylor Rodriguez, Workforce Management Analyst
Jagbir Mavi, Recruitment Unit Supervisor
Sean Singh, Talent Acquisition & Admin Section Manager
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Recruitment Events
Harvey Mudd OCS Virtual Summer Series Day 3
Zoom Online Platform
August 19, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
HireUC Alumni Career Summit – San Francisco
255 S. Airport Blvd.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
August 20, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Southern New Hampshire University Virtual Info Session
Handshake Online Platform
August 25, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
UC Berkeley Fall STEM Career Fair
2301 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94720
September 1, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Scripps College Info Session
Zoom Online Platform
September 2, 2026
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
San Jose State STEM Undergraduate Job/Internship Fair
1 Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192
September 9, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fresno State Jordan College Welcome Back BBQ & Career Fair
2611 E. Barstow Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710
September 10, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
San Diego State STEM Career & Internship Fair
6075 Aztec Circle
San Diego, CA 92182
September 10, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
3rd Annual Sacramento Regional Youth Career Fest
8401 Center Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95823
September 18, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
UC Berkeley Fall Turn the Tables: Student Org Expo
2440 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
September 23, 2026
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
UC Merced Fall Career & Internship Fair
5200 North Lake Road
Merced, CA 95343
September 23, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
ACWA Pathways to Water Careers in the Central Valley
5469 E. Olive Ave.
Fresno, CA 93727
September 24, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
San Francisco State Engineering and Computer Science Career Fair
1 North State Dr.
San Francisco, CA 94132
September 25, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Harvey Mudd Fall Career & Grad School Fair
301 Platt Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711
September 30, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
UC Riverside Fall Career & Internship Fair
900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92507
September 30, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
University of the Pacific Engineering & Technology Career Fair
901 Presidents Dr.
Stockton, CA 95204
October 1, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
CSU Bakersfield Fall Career Expo
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311
October 8, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
I AM ABLE Disability Job Fair
1400 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
October 14, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
UC Davis Fall Career Fair
750 Orchard Road
Davis, CA 95616
October 14, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
CSU Fullerton STEM Career Fair
800 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92831
October 15, 2026
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
UC Irvine Fall STEM Career & Internship Fair
311 W. Peltason Dr.
Irvine, CA 92697
October 15, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Chico State Fall Government, Non-Profit & Natural Resources Job Fair
400 W. 1st St.
Chico, CA 95929
October 21, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
New Mexico State University Global Campus Virtual Career Fair
Zoom Online Platform
October 22, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. MT
University of the Pacific Engineering Industry Insights
Zoom Online Platform
October 22, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sacramento State Fall Engineering & Computer Science Career Fair
6000 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95819
October 23, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Scripps College Empowering Women Panel
Zoom Online Platform
October 27, 2026
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Virtual Environmental Career & Networking Fair
Handshake Online Platform
October 29, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cal Poly Humboldt Engineering Internship & Job Fair
1 Harpst St.
Arcata, CA 95521
October 29, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Interested in having the Water Boards do a free virtual info session for your university, program, or student organization?
Contact us at DAS-HRB-RecruitmentUnit@waterboards.ca.gov with "Info Session Request" in the Subject line. Information sessions can be tailored to your group's needs.
"It's because of the formative opportunities internships have provided me that I'm excited to see the Water Boards develop a focused program," said State Water Resources Control Board Member E. Joaquin Esquivel. "Like many sectors, the water sector is facing a tidal change as retirements multiply and challenges filling critical positions grow. I see this program as a first step to greater engagement by the Boards in workforce development challenges sector wide.
"Although it's a benefit for us as an agency to have new bright minds at the Boards, the program is designed first and foremost to meet the needs of the students," Esquivel said. "The work at the Water Boards is diverse, demanding and crucial to so many Californians. With a successful initial cohort, I'm hopeful the program will continue to expand the number of paid opportunities in future years."
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