Reliability Compliance Intern - Year Round

Sacramento Municipal Utility District; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) seeks a Reliability Compliance Intern to support RC&C with data analysis, risk assessment, and AI/ML initiatives in a student internship role. You will work across technical and business teams to validate data, support program requirements, and explore automation opportunities while learning SMUD's risk frameworks and compliance standards.

The internship emphasizes hands-on experience in reliability risk management, AI/machine learning, and

Qualifications

• Must be a full‑time student (12+ units) in STEM.
• Majors in Risk Management, STEM fields, or related areas.
• Experience with Power BI and Excel/PowerPoint is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and data computations.
• Ability to develop code and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Collect, organize, clean, validate, and analyze data for reliability risk and compliance.
• Refine data, validate risk information, and perform data quality reviews.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI/ML to improve processes.
• Develop, test, and maintain scripts for data processing.
• Support design, training, and evaluation of AI/ML models.
• Prepare documentation, presentations, and reports.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Coding ability

Team collaboration

Eagerness to learn

Education

STEM student enrolled 12+ units

Tools

Power BI

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Reliability Compliance Intern - Year Round

Department: Reliability Risk & Internal Controls

Category: Student

Location

Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899

Apply by Date: 10/26/2026

Hourly Minimum Pay Rate: $24.58 / hour

Hourly Maximum Pay Rate: $29.95 / hour

SMUD is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Reliability Compliance Intern to support our Reliability Compliance & Coordination (RC&C) department. The department supports SMUD's efforts to ensure the planning, design, maintenance, and operations of the Bulk Electric System meet applicable reliability and security objectives, including compliance with NERC Reliability Standards.

In this role, the intern will support reliability risk management, compliance, data analysis, process improvement, and emerging technology initiatives. The position will provide opportunities to work with technical and business teams, analyze and validate data, support risk assessments and program requirements, and explore the use of AI, machine learning, and automation to improve processes and efficiency. The position offers an excellent opportunity for a student interested in risk management, AI/machine learning, cybersecurity, engineering, data analysis, or regulatory compliance to gain hands‑on experience in a highly technical utility environment. The intern will help apply risk frameworks, working with cross‑functional teams to gather data and support various program requirements, helping advance SMUD's commitment to reliable and secure electric service.

Key responsibilities

• Collect, organize, clean, validate, and analyze data supporting reliability risk, compliance, and other program activities.
• Support the reliability risk management program by refining data, validating risk information and scores, and performing data quality and reconciliation reviews across multiple sources.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to apply AI, machine learning automation, collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data for AI/machine learning projects to improve processes and program efficiency.
• Developing, testing, and maintaining scripts for data processing and algorithm implementation.
• Supporting the design, training, documentation and evaluation of AI/machine learning models.
• Collaborating with RC&C team to identify opportunities for AI applications to improve efficiency.
• Preparing documentation, presentations, and reports on findings and progress.
• Supporting the reliability risk management program by refining data, verifying risk scores, and performing audits across data sources.
• Helping to develop and enhance processes, tools, and procedures.
• Participating in meetings with stakeholders to support enterprise and reliability goals.
• Gaining exposure to SMUD's operations, compliance standards, and risk frameworks.

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

• Majors in Risk Management, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, or related fields.
• Junior or Senior standing preferred.
• Experience with Power BI and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to perform data computations and assessments.
• Ability to develop code in relevant programming languages.
• Excellent written, graphical, and oral communication skills.
• Eagerness to learn, take initiative, and work effectively in a team environment.

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.

Official SMUD Title

STEM Student Assistant

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.