GIS Intern - Year round

Sacramento Municipal Utility District; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is offering a year-round GIS Intern position in Sacramento, CA. The internship supports the GIS team in data creation, editing, documentation, and map production using ArcGIS Pro and Octave Networks Core.

Ideal candidates are full-time STEM students (12+ units) with a Geography GIS emphasis or related fields, and an interest in applying theory to utility operations within SMUD.

Qualifications

• Pursuing STEM degree with GIS emphasis.
• Experience with GIS concepts and data management.
• Willing to work under supervision in a technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical or research tasks for projects in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics.
• Locate sources of information; collect and organize data.
• Compute and analyze data for degree of confidence and for alternative actions.
• Assist staff with developing reports and may code material for established programs.

Job description

Title: GIS Intern - Year round

Department: Geographic Information System

Category: Student

Location: Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824

Apply by Date: 10/29/2026
Hourly Minimum Pay Rate: $24.58 / hour
Hourly Maximum Pay Rate: $29.95 / hour

We are seeking a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Intern to support the GIS team within the Energy Delivery & Operations division at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). This position offers a valuable opportunity to gain professional experience in a highly technical environment while contributing to projects that are essential to the operational services for the various business units at SMUD.

The GIS Intern will work under the direction of experienced GIS professionals and will assist with a variety of tasks, including data creation, data editing, documentation, and map creation. This internship is well-suited for junior and senior students who are pursuing a career in GIS and are interested in applying their academic background to practical, real-world applications within the utility industry. This position with create and edit GIS data in both ArcGIS Pro and Octave Networks Core.

About SMUD's College Internship Program

SMUD's College Internship Program provides college interns with an opportunity to contribute their skills and knowledge to SMUD while gaining valuable work experience. Workshops and activities will also be part of the program where interns will have the opportunity to be immersed in SMUD's culture and learn leadership skills as well as develop their professional skills.

SMUD was also recognized by Interns 2 Pros for the 2020 Internship Program of The Year Award in recognition of excellence in internship strategy, implementation, and impact and was one of five finalists for the 2023 Internship Program of the Year from Interns 2 Pros along with Paramount, Fox Corporation, Intuit, and Toyota.

Purpose

Under staff direction, incumbents in this classification are full-time students in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math program who perform research and analytical tasks for projects and assignments that utilize specific and acquired academic skills and knowledge in alignment with their educational disciplines.

Nature and Scope

The work performed in this classification calls for regular application of analytical and independent research skills. Work is closely related to the employee's academic major in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs tasks of an analytical or research nature for suitable projects or ongoing assignments which call for specific acquired academic skills and knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math.
• May locate sources of information; collect and organize data.
• Makes computations and analyzes data for degree of confidence and for alternative courses of action.
• May develop computer programs relating to assignments and may code material for established programs.
• May develop written, graphical and/or oral reports.
• May assist staff analysts and technical personnel by performing elements of their work under close supervision.

Required Education

Registration as a full-time student (minimum of 12 units) at an accredited college or university in a declared curriculum with a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) emphasis that will provide the specific skills and knowledge that will contribute to available work assignments.

Desirable Qualifications

Major: Geography degree with Geographic Information System emphasis or Computer Science, Information Technology, Urban Planning, or related degrees
Grade level: Junior or Senior standing
Skills: Applied GIS and GIS Data Acquisition and Management, ArcGIS Pro

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Application Deadline: It is guaranteed that the online system will accept applications until 5 PM on the apply by date. It is highly encouraged that applications are submitted well before the due date and time mentioned to make sure that it is submitted successfully.

Internship Program Requirements:

• Students must be able to commute to the SMUD Offices in Sacramento, CA when requested to come in.
• To have a student position at SMUD, you must not have any relatives working at SMUD.
• Students must be enrolled and maintain enrollment as a full-time student, complete and pass at least 12 undergraduate units OR 8 graduate units, and receive at least a 2.0 GPA the semester/quarter prior to employment and for the duration of the internship. SMUD does not look at cumulative GPAs.
• During the summer, students can work up to 130 hours per month.
• Currently, SMUD is not hiring candidates for its student internship positions who require sponsorship from an employer either now or in the future. Such sponsorship is not needed for citizens, a U.S. National, a permanent resident, or one granted refuge or asylum status by the U.S. government. Visa holders typically require sponsorship in one form or another at some point in time.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are a part of who we are and how we do things. Supporting efforts that promote pay equality is part of that. Salary placement for the selected candidate will be determined in alignment with the California Equal Pay Act or the applicable MOU. Determination for salary placement of internal candidates will be made without respect to current classification or compensation and will be based upon the candidate's qualifications as compared to those performing substantially similar work. In the event there is a guaranteed pay progression outlined in an applicable MOU, the MOU takes precedence.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.