Summer Internship in the Office of Government Relations

Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA); San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Capstone project

Job summary

Valley Water is offering a Summer Internship in the Office of Government Relations in Sacramento with a hybrid schedule. The program runs Feb–Sept with part-time start, full-time summer, and part-time return, including professional development, networking events, and Capstone presentation.

Interns will travel to San Jose for in-person events, and interviews occur in November. Compensation is $28.27 per hour, with hybrid telework and CA-based work requirements.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a major in Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Law, Communications, or related fields.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills; detail-oriented, analytical, organized.
• Comfortable engaging with new people in any environment.
• Comfortable with a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in learning sessions with interns, focusing on career readiness and networking.
• Track and analyze legislation and work with local government staff.
• Prepare speaking points, speeches, and presentations for Board members and staff.
• Attend meetings and prepare white papers and summaries to brief staff.
• Respond to inquiries from external partners and Santa Clara County residents under supervision.
• Assist in coordinating tours of Valley Water facilities for officials and stakeholders.
• Support Valley Water's participation in community events and festivals.
• Advocate and help secure support for Valley Water projects from elected officials and stakeholders.
• Interact with Board members, staff, officials, and community groups.

Skills

Policy analysis

Oral communication

Writing skills

Education

Undergraduate enrollment

Graduate enrollment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY!

Summer Internship in Office of Government Relations

Location: 1121 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA

1 Internship Available!

OVERVIEW

Are you interested in water, natural resources, and environmental protection? Do you want to gain valuable experience working on state policies related to water supply, climate resilience, and flood protection? Do you want to gain valuable experience working on state policies related to climate change, water supply, and flood protection? Do you want to expand your network and build your resume while learning about the state legislative process? If you do, then Valley Water’s Sacramento Government Relations internship may be right for you!

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!

This position is a hybrid internship where the candidate will start part-time in February, transition to full-time during the summer internship program, and return to part-time before concluding in September. During the Summer program, this intern will be given professional development training, participate in networking events, attend virtual meetings with our San Jose office, and prepare a Capstone presentation at the end of the program. Interns will travel to San Jose at least 2 times for in person events. Valley Water’s Sacramento Office of Government Relations serves as the internal and external connection for state legislation, regulation, and supplemental funding opportunities for Valley Water.

Interviews for this position will be held in person 11/16/2026 - 11/20/2026.

Intern compensation is $28.27 per hour.

INTERNSHIP LOCATION STATUS

• This internship will be held in Valley Water’s Sacramento Office – 1121 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, near the State Capitol.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working up to 40% remote and 60% onsite. For hybrid work, the intern must perform their work in the State of California within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in (Sacramento, California) by their start date.

WE LOOK FOR INTERNS WHO ARE:

• Pursuing a major in Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Law, Communications, or other majors with a nexus to public policy or environmental management.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills, detail oriented, analytical, organized, quick learner a MUST.
• Comfortable engaging new people in any environment.
• Comfortable with a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

AS AN INTERN, YOU WILL:

• Participate in learning sessions alongside fellow interns, focusing on elevating career readiness, cultivating professional development skills, and networking.
• Track and analyze legislation and work closely with local government and federal affairs staff.
• Prepare speaking points, speeches, presentations, and other communications for Board members and staff.
• Attend internal and external meetings and prepare white papers and summaries to brief staff.
• Under mentor supervision, receive and respond to inquiries from external partners and Santa Clara County residents.
• Assist in coordinating tours of Valley Water facilities for elected and appointed officials and stakeholders.
• Assist in coordinating Valley Water's participation in community events and festivals.
• Advocate and help secure support for Valley Water projects from elected officials and advocacy stakeholders.
• Interact with Valley Water Board members and staff, external elected officials, diverse advocacy stakeholders, and community groups.
• Support other Government Relations programs and projects as needed.

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 or fourth year) by Fall 2027, or have graduated within the past six months before their start date.
• Graduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program at a college or university in Fall 2027 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 part time from February till the summer and then full-time (40 hours/week) during the Summer Internship Program
  1. June 2nd – August 13, 2027 (Semester Students)
  2. June 15th – September 3, 2027 (Quarter Students)
• Only applicants who have not participated in a Valley Water College Summer Internship Program before will be considered.
• Selected candidates must pass a pre-employment process, which includes reference and background/criminal checks.