San Diego County Water Authority

Regional water and wastewater agencies volunteer to participate in the water and wastewater internship program. Agencies appoint a mentor to work with the interns and evaluate the interns’ performance at the end of each eight-week session. Participating agencies also play a role in career days and job fairs at regional high schools and colleges.

Program Overview

The goal of the internship program is to familiarize and train potential entry-level job candidates for positions in the San Diego region. The program provides local high school and college students with education, on-the-job training, and exposure to career opportunities. Completion of the program provides students with the necessary knowledge and training to apply for state water and wastewater certification exams.

Approximately 20 college students are selected each year to rotate through four different career experience modules; System Maintenance, System Operations, Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment, over the course of 33 weeks. Interns are paid $10 an hour, and work a minimum of 20 hours per week, beginning with the fall semester. Interns are concurrently enrolled in water and/or wastewater technology courses at Palomar College or Cuyamaca College.

Roles & Responsibilities

The San Diego Region Water and Wastewater Internship Program is a partnership with local water and wastewater agencies and community colleges. Without this strategic partnership, the program could not provide the education and on-the-job experience that equips interns for career opportunities in water and wastewater technology.

Water Authority & Internship Program Committee

Program development
Communication and coordination between colleges and internship providers
Scheduling and placement of interns
Initial program orientation and general safety training during first week of internship
Development of training and experience objectives to be carried out by internship providers
Graduation and announcement of the graduate's availability for employment
Annual evaluation of the internship program
Disciplinary actions and intern removal from program if necessary

Water and Wastewater Agencies

Water and wastewater agencies provide the internship opportunities, sign the Host Agency Agreement, and have the following responsibilities:

Provide workers' compensation insurance for interns
Interview and select interns as members of the Intern Selection Committee
Provide qualified mentors for interns over an eight week period
Provide site-specific safety training and orientation
Provide training and experience in accordance with the internship career module objectives
Pay student interns at rate of $10/hour
Evaluate interns and forward to Internship Program Committee at end of eight week term
Recommend intern for next rotation or program graduation

Community Colleges

Water and wastewater technology curriculum
Coordination with San Diego County Water Authority and internship providers on implementation of program
Access to Live Scan, an automated background check process

How to Become Involved

If you belong to a water or wastewater agency in the San Diego area that is not participating in this program, please contact Gary Eaton, Director of Operations & Maintenance, San Diego County Water Authority at 760/233-3237.

For Agencies