Utilities Regulatory Compliance Internship

City of San Clemente; San Clemente (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of San Clemente seeks motivated individuals for the Utilities Regulatory Compliance Internship in Public Works/Utilities/Water. This role offers exposure to environmental science, water quality, regulatory compliance, and public utilities in a municipal setting.

You will assist with records, data tracking, inspections, reports, and outreach under staff supervision, gaining hands-on experience in recycled water programs, backflow prevention, and regulatory reporting while supporting city

Qualifications

• Current enrollment or recent graduation in an environmental field.
• Availability to work part-time during the week (Mon-Thu, daytime).
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Responsibilities

• Organize and maintain compliance records, inspection files, and logs.
• Support recycled water, backflow, cross-connection, water quality, and environmental programs.
• Prepare reports, spreadsheets, notices, maps, and outreach materials.
• Assist with field visits, site inspections, and documentation reviews.
• Communicate professionally with staff, laboratories, agencies, and the public.

Skills

Environmental science

Data organization

Communication

Microsoft Office

Field support

Education

Environmental Science (or related field)

GPA 3.0+

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Job description

The City of San Clemente is excited to announce

we are currently accepting applications for the position of:

Utilities Regulatory Compliance Internship

(Public Works/Utilities/Water)

The City of San Clemente is seeking motivated and detail-oriented individuals to join the Public Works Department, Utilities Division as Utilities Regulatory Compliance Interns.

This internship is a great opportunity for students or early-career professionals interested in environmental science, water quality, public utilities, regulatory compliance, sustainability, public health, or local government. Interns will gain hands-on experience supporting City utility programs related to recycled water, water quality, environmental protection, backflow prevention, cross-connection control, inspections, records management, and regulatory reporting.

Working under the guidance of experienced Utilities staff, interns will assist with a variety of administrative, analytical, and field-support tasks that help the City maintain safe, reliable, and compliant utility operations.

The City’s Regulatory Compliance Analyst supports recycled water, water quality, environmental protection, backflow, cross-connection control, regulatory tracking, inspections, audits, records, reporting, and public/customer communication. This internship would be designed to support those program areas.

What You’ll Do:

• Assist with organizing and maintaining compliance records, inspection files, program documents, and tracking logs
• Support recycled water, backflow prevention, cross-connection control, water quality, and environmental compliance program activities
• Help compile, review, and organize data related to inspections, monitoring, testing, corrective actions, and compliance status
• Assist with preparing reports, spreadsheets, correspondence, maps, presentations, notices, outreach materials, and other written documents
• Participate in field visits, site inspections, recycled water site reviews, and coverage testing activities under staff supervision
• Assist with tracking backflow testing records, customer notifications, program follow-up items, and outstanding compliance documentation
• Conduct basic research on utility, water quality, environmental, recycled water, or regulatory topics
• Help review forms, program materials, procedures, and records for completeness and accuracy
• Support audits, evaluations, and follow-up tracking by organizing documentation and confirming assigned items are complete
• Communicate professionally with City staff, laboratories, outside agencies, utility customers, and members of the public, as appropriate
• Assist with special projects that improve program organization, data tracking, records retention, customer communication, or internal procedures

Interns may help with data collection, research, records, reports, and inspection support, but would not be expected to independently perform complex regulatory analysis, make final compliance determinations, issue citations, or represent the City on regulatory matters without direction.

The Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is curious, organized, dependable, and interested in learning how environmental compliance and public utility operations work in a municipal setting.

This internship is a strong fit for someone who enjoys a mix of office work, field exposure, data organization, research, and public service. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with detailed records, spreadsheets, technical information, and regulatory materials, while also being willing to learn from staff in the field.

The ideal candidate will also:

• Be interested in environmental science, biology, chemistry, water quality, public utilities, sustainability, public health, engineering, or local government
• Have strong attention to detail and the ability to keep records organized and accurate
• Be comfortable using Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, databases, shared files, and digital tracking tools
• Communicate clearly and professionally in writing, by phone, by email, and in person
• Be willing to learn about recycled water, backflow prevention, cross-connection control, water quality, inspections, and compliance programs
• Exercise good judgment, ask questions, and follow instructions carefully
• Be able to handle multiple assignments and deadlines with changing priorities
• Be comfortable participating in field visits and outdoor inspections when needed
• Take pride in supporting work that protects public health, the environment, and the San Clemente community

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current enrollment, or recent graduation, in an accredited college or university program in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Water Utility Science, Public Health, Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, or other relevant field
• Availability to work part-time during the week (Monday-Thursday, daytime flexible hours)
• Have a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher

Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review, medical examination, including drug screen, and be fingerprinted, all at City expense. If selected, acceptable identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Applications and Supplemental Questions will be reviewed and evaluated for relevant education and experience.
• Candidates considered to have the best qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process.
• The selection process will consist of an Oral Interview weighted at 100%.
• An eligibility list will be established and may be used to fill future vacancies.

As an equal opportunity employer, the City strongly encourages people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.