| Location | Sacramento, CA |
Summer Internship in the Office of Government Relations
Salary
$28.27 Hourly
Location
1121 L Street, Sacramento, CA, CA
Job Type
Internship/Temporary Worker
Job Number
00298-SI
Division
External Affairs Summer Internship Program
Opening Date
10/26/2026
Closing Date
11/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
Summer Internship in Office of Government Relations
Location: 1121 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
1 Internship Available!
OVERVIEW
Are you interested in water, natural resources, and environmental protection? Do you want to gain valuable experience working on state policies related to water supply, climate resilience, and flood 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 Countys 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 11/16/2026 - 11/20/2026.
Intern compensation is $28.27 per hour.
INTERNSHIP LOCATION STATUS:
Required License or Certificate
WE LOOK FOR INTERNS WHO ARE:
AS AN INTERN, YOU WILL:
Participate in learning sessions alongside fellow interns, focusing on elevating career readiness, cultivating professional development skills, and networking.
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 Waters 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 2027, or have graduated within the past six months before their start date.
Graduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program at a college or university in Fall 2027 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
June 2nd - August 13, 2027 (Semester Students)
June 15th - September 3, 2027 (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 process, which includes reference and background/criminal checks.
APPLICATION PROCESS: We will be accepting applications from October 26th through November 8, 2026. You will need to provide the following with the online application:
Fully completed online Employment Application through GovernmentJobs 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 are optional but are helpful and appreciated by the Managers reviewing the applications.
Interns who have participated in the Valley Waters Summer Internship Program in past years are not eligible to apply.
Students Interns or Temporary Workers are not eligible for District Benefits.
01
Have you participated in the Valley Waters Summer Internship Program in past years? Please note that due to the high demand of these opportunities, only new participants are eligible to apply.
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, then return back to part-time and conclude in September. The Summer Internship Program will be available during the period June through September 2027. Please specify which summer internship assignment you will be available to work:
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?
05
What are your preferred pronouns? ex: She/Her/Hers, He/Him/His, They/Them/Theirs
06
Do you have a valid California drivers license?
07
What college/university will you be enrolled in for Fall 2027? *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 2027?
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:
11
What is your major/field of study:
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)?
14
If you responded Career Fair, College/University, Community Organization, or Other to Question 13, please specify the name of the event/school/ or organization. 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. In your response, please address: • Your interest in Valley Water and how the Internship Program aligns with your academic and professional plans • Relevant coursework, academic focus, or educational background
17
Please explain why you are interested in this specific internship position and what you hope to learn or gain from the experience. In your response, please address: • What aspects of this specific internship interest you most? • What skills, knowledge, or experiences are you hoping to develop during the internship? • How does this internship align with your academic interests or future career goals (if known)? • Note: You do not need to have prior professional experience in this field to be considered.
18
Please describe one relevant experience that has helped you develop skills for the specific internship position you are applying for. This experience may come from a course project, a job (paid or unpaid), a volunteer or community activity, a student organization, or independent learning or a hobby. In your response, please address the following: • What was the experience or activity? • What was your role or responsibility? • What skills or abilities did you use or develop (for example: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, technical skills, organization, reliability, or learning new information)? • How did your contributions support the outcome or goal of the activity?
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