Public Affairs Intern

San Diego County Water Authority; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness Center

Wellness Program

Employee Assistance Program

Additional Voluntary Benefits

Job summary

San Diego County Water Authority is seeking a Student Intern in the Public Affairs Department. The role provides real‑world experience in public affairs, including drought communications, community engagement, and media support.

The intern will learn under professional staff in a fast‑paced environment and contribute to Water Authority initiatives. Applicants should be enrolled full‑time in a college or university, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and have strong written communication skills.

Qualifications

• Enrolled full-time as a junior or senior with a 2.5+ GPA in the last 60 units.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite and web-based tools is desirable.
• Strong written communication skills and ability to interact with the public after training.

Responsibilities

• Gather news from various websites and compile a daily newsletter.
• Gather facts for posts, social media, and video content.
• Produce content for social media and websites, including video/audio.
• Assist staff at job and education fairs and events.
• Support speaking engagements and news conferences behind the scenes.
• Perform basic administrative tasks for professional staff.
• Prepare award entries for events.
• Review practices and suggest improvements.

Skills

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPt

WordPress

Drupal

Photoshop

Video editing

Social media content creation

Education

Enrolled full-time in accredited college/university

Tools

Constant Contact

Job description

The Organization

JOIN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY!

The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency established in 1944 that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. Our mission is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to 22 retail water providers, including cities, special districts and a military base. For jobseekers, the Water Authority offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, high-impact work. Our team supports a $267 billion regional economy and the quality of life for 3.3 million residents through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, maintaining major infrastructure, and forward‑thinking policies that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. We’re also exploring new ways to strengthen regional water security, support strategic water resource management across Southern California, and deliver cost savings for local families. Learn more at www.sdcwa.org.

The Public Affairs Department

The Public Affairs (PA) Department establishes, fosters, and strengthens relations with business and civic organizations, community leaders, school-age children, members of the news media, and the general public to build and sustain support for Water Authority programs and initiatives. The department employs a range of tactics to communicate the Water Authority's priorities and messages. The department also implements regional programs to support member agency efforts to communicate the value of water, water‑efficient practices and smart investments in regional infrastructure.

The department is also responsible for coordinating outreach on Water Authority Capital Improvement projects and promoting the Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program.

The Position

The Water Authority is looking for a Student Intern in the Public Affairs Department. If interested in this position, please apply promptly as the first application review will be Thursday, November 5, 2026. The recruitment will remain open until filled.

Student Interns receive real‑world work experience in the field of public affairs and prepare for job opportunities after graduation by obtaining professional work experience to build their resume. Interns will be trained by innovative and professional staff in a high‑performing, fast paced environment. Interns will gain experience in a wide range of Water Authority activities related to water supply, drought communications and community engagement. We are looking for someone who is passionate about community engagement, interested in learning more about regional water issues, is self motivated and has a desire to serve their community.

As The Public Affairs Intern, You'll Learn How To

• Gather news from various websites and compile for a daily newsletter. Check out the Water News Network at www.waternewsnetwork.com, a website focused on news related to water-related issues affecting San Diego County.
• Gather facts and information for website posts, social media, and video. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• Produce content for social media and websites, including video and audio.
• Prepare for and help staff booths at job and educational fairs and other events.
• Provide behind‑the‑scenes support for speaking engagements and news conferences.
• Perform basic administrative tasks to assist professional staff.
• Prepare award entries for events.
• Review current practices and make recommendations for improvements.

Qualification Guidelines

Education Experience: Candidates must be enrolled full‑time in an accredited college or university at a junior or senior class level. Student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better in the last 60 semester units.

Skills and Job Knowledge: Experience in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Desirable skills include WordPress, web‑based software programs, Drupal, Photoshop, video editing, and Constant Contact. Experience conducting on‑line research is highly desirable. Candidates must have excellent written communication skills; after receiving training, interns must be able to interact with the public on a variety of water‑related topics.

Working Hours

15-20 hours per week (Monday – Friday) during normal business hours, with the possibility of evening and weekend assignments. Applicants must be able to start work between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. during the normal work week (Monday - Friday). Potential for more hours during school breaks.

Licenses / Certificates / Special Requirements

A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Social Security / Medicare

Employees are covered under the provisions of Federal Social Security (OASDI) and Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI). The total employee contribution is 7.65% of salary.

Sick Leave

On July 1 of each fiscal year, student workers/interns will be credited with 40 hours of sick leave for use in the fiscal year (July 1 of a calendar year through June 30 of the following calendar year). An employee may use sick leave credits beginning on the 91st day after commencement of employment. Unused sick leave credits will not be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.

Wellness Center

Employees have access to an on‑site fitness facility at no cost. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in the Water Authority's Wellness Program by attending sponsored, on‑site wellness training and screening sessions.

Employee Assistance Program

Employees have access to no-cost confidential, third‑party personal counseling, financial and legal advice, and more. This benefit is available to employees and members of their household.

Additional Voluntary Benefits

• Employees' Association – Employees have the option to join the Employees' Association. Events and reduced ticket prices offered to employees through this association include the annual picnic, annual holiday party, sporting events, movie tickets, and much more.

This benefit summary is intended to provide an easy way for current and prospective employees to access fringe benefit information, including voluntary options. This summary is intended to be accurate, but it is not an official plan document, and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contract, or otherwise, and does not alter or amend any provision of the Compensation Plan, Memoranda of Understanding, Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual, Administrative Code, retirement contract, insurance policy contract, or any other official document of the Water Authority. All insurance benefits described in the summary are subject to the terms and limitations of the Water Authority's insurance contracts with individual insurance providers.

Should you have any questions pertaining to information in this summary, please contact the Human Resources Division at [phone].

The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin.

The San Diego County Water Authority welcomes veterans or transitioning military. If you have questions whether your Military Occupational Specialties or rating qualifies you for a job opening, please visit TIPS & RESOURCES FOR VETERANS APPLYING FOR JOBS IN WATER, on the Water Authority’s regional workforce development website, SanDiegoWaterWorks.org.

Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at [phone].

We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our e‑mails (i.e., for the non‑delivery of e‑mail or if you fail to check your e‑mail inbox on a timely basis). Read any notices that we send carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. We recommend that you print and keep hard copies of our notices for your records.