Summer Internship In The Laboratory Services Unit - Water Quality Laboratory

Salary: $26.31 Hourly
Location : CA, CA
Job Type: Internship/Temporary Worker
Job Number: 00221-SI
Division: Water Utility Summer Internship Program
Opening Date: 02/01/2024
Closing Date: 2/15/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
Summer Internship in the Laboratory Services Unit - Water Quality Laboratory
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.
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! 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 2024 Internship Program and will provide interns with training and experience leveraging collaboration tools while working both on-site and remote. 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.
This internship is in our Water Quality Laboratory which supports chemical and microbiological sampling and analysis of surface and treated water, transmission & distribution systems, recycled water, process control for treatment plants, local groundwater basins, and groundwater recharge facilities, for State regulatory compliance. It also maintains lab certification with the California State Water Resources Control Board, Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.
INTERNSHIP LOCATION STATUS: This position requires the individual to be onsite and is typically not a teleworking position.
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 chemistry, environmental science, or similar field of study.
• Interested in learning hands-on laboratory testing, quality control, and quality assurance practices in an accredited laboratory to produce data of good quality.

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.
• Perform routine bench analyses such as Alkalinity, Chloride, hardness, color, pH, turbidity, and conductivity testing.
• Collect drinking water samples from our treatment plants and delivery pipelines and/or collect water samples from our local reservoirs.
• Assist with day-to-day operations by preparing glassware and sample containers; maintain inventory and stocking supplies.
• Participate in tasks supporting the Laboratory's quality assurance program.

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 2024.

• 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
  1. May 28 - August 16, 2024, for Semester Students
  2. June 17 - September 6, 2024, for Quarter Students

APPLICATION PROCESS:
We will be accepting applications from February 1st through February 15, 2024. 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 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.

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
The Summer Internship Program will be available during the period May 28th, 2024, through September 6th, 2024. Please specify which internship assignment you will be available to work:

• May 28 through August 16, 2024 (Semester Students)
• June 17 through September 6, 2024 (Quarter Students)

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
What college/university will you be enrolled in for Fall 2024?
07
What is your student status listed on your transcript as of Fall 2024?

• First year
• Second year
• Third year
• Fourth year
• Fifth year +
• Graduate student
• Doctorate

08
What is your expected graduation date?
09
Please specify the degree you are pursuing:

• Associate's
• Bachelor's
• Master's
• Doctorate

10
What is your major/field of study:

• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Other

11
If "Other" was selected in the previous question, please indicate your major/field of study.
12
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

13
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".
14
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".
15
Please briefly describe why you are interested in a Summer Internship at Valley Water and how it will support your career goals.
16
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.
17
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?
18
Valley Water highly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).What is DEI and what does it mean to you?
Required Question