Description
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
Summer Internship in Environmental Health and Safety
Location: Valley Water Headquarters (5700 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! Join us and use your talents to help maintain safe and clean water for a healthy environment.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protection, 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:
The 2026 College Summer Internship Program offers students nationwide a chance to gain practical experience while exploring careers in the water industry. Each intern will have a Valley Water staff mentor and will receive professional development training, participate in networking events, and prepare a capstone presentation at the end of the program. Although some positions in the program will follow a hybrid format, with a mix of in-office and remote work based on business needs, other roles may require interns to work on-site full-time in a lab, office, or field setting, as specified in the job postings.
About the Environmental Health and Safety Unit:
The Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Unit at Valley Water plays a vital role in ensuring the organization’s compliance with environmental, occupational health, and safety regulations. Our mission is to provide technical expertise and collaborate with management, supervisors, and employees to implement programs and initiatives that safeguard staff, protect the environment, and preserve property. The Unit focuses on managing a broad range of programs related to occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, fire protection, hazardous materials management, and biological safety.
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
DESIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Students pursuing a degree in business administration, industrial safety, construction technology, environmental sciences, health sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, occupational health and safety or a related field.
- Eager to learn and apply environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) standards, regulations, and procedures to real-world scenarios.
- Familiar with or willing to learn the processes, equipment, and environmental conditions involved in construction and facility maintenance work, including accident prevention measures and the use of protective devices.
- Organized and detail-oriented, with experience or interest in recordkeeping, database management, and ordering materials and supplies.
- Effective communicators and capable of drafting meeting agendas, taking meeting minutes, and preparing reports.
- Customer-service focused, capable of working collaboratively with the public, vendors, contractors, and Valley Water staff.
- Ready to develop and deliver safety training materials and assist with scheduling, coordinating, and hosting safety training sessions for employees.
- Comfortable using specialized software for presentations and reports, and proficient in standard office procedures, methods, and equipment.
- Proactive problem-solvers who can research, compile, and summarize data to support EH&S initiatives.
- Excited to work in a dynamic environment, operate safety equipment, and participate in inspections and audits to help promote a safe and compliant workplace.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERNSHIP TASKS (Representative duties include, but are not limited to):
- Provide technical support for the administration of Valley Water's environmental, health, and safety (EH&S)programs.
- Participate in staff and committee meetings, attend workshops and training sessions, and contribute to the preparation of meeting agendas and minutes.
- Assist with tracking and managing inspection forms, corrective action plans, and supporting documentation to ensure timely resolution of unsatisfactory conditions and compliance with District and regulatory requirements.
- Assist in reviewing and updating Valley Water work instructions by researching and applying applicable environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) regulatory requirements to ensure accuracy, compliance, and consistency.
- Develop one-page summary documents for work instructions that clearly communicate key requirements, hazards, and procedural steps for staff use.
- Participate in Stream Maintenance Program safety inspections alongside EH&S staff, assisting with documenting inspection findings and communicating observations and recommendations to Valley Water staff.
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/rising 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 full-time (40 hours/week) during the College Summer Internship Program.
- Only applicants who have not participated in a Valley Water College Summer Internship Program before will be considered.
- Valley Water requires interns to work within 150 miles of the Valley Water office they are to report to by their start date. The intern must perform their work in the State of California, not more than 150 miles from Valley Water’s Headquarters’ (5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, or Valley Water’s Sacramento Office: 1121 L Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, CA) for the duration of their internship.
- Selected candidates must pass a pre-employment screening process, which includes reference and background/criminal checks.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted February 2 through February 15, 2026.
To apply, applicants must submit the following through the online application system:
- A fully completed online Employment Application with all required questions answered. We encourage applicants to share details about relevant work experience, academic projects, volunteer activities, and/or extracurricular involvement.
- Complete the supplemental questions in the job application with detail and honesty. These questions help us better understand your interests and experiences. If you are applying to multiple internships, please tailor your answer to every internship you are applying for. Please ensure your supplemental responses are specific to each internship job posting. 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 Mentors reviewing the applications. Please label and include these documents in the “Attachments” section.
- Former participants in Valley Water’s Summer Internship or Water Works Program are not eligible to apply.
