Water Resources and Environmental Intern

Sweetwater Authority is seeking a Water Resources and Environmental Intern in Chula Vista, CA. The intern will assist the Engineering and Operations Department with tasks related to water system planning, environmental compliance, habitat assessments, and various projects. Responsibilities include fieldwork, data analysis, research, and report writing. Candidates should be proficient in Microsoft Office and ArcGIS, and possess strong communication skills.
This position will play a vital role in supporting and assisting the Engineering and Operations Department in the Water Resources and Environmental section and may be assigned special projects tailored to match special specific educational or career goals with the primary objective of supporting the Engineering and Operations Department. This position will perform and support existing water resources and environmental staff with routine water system planning; easement and encroachment research; environmental compliance and habitat assessments tasks; cost estimation; watershed modeling; reservoir management; capital improvement program projects; field work; and perform other related water resources and environmental duties as directed.

Department: Engineering and Operations

Disclaimer:
The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Supervision Received/Exercised:
• General supervision is provided by the Director of Engineering and Operations, Assistant General Manager, and General Manager.
• Direct supervision is provided by the Engineering Manager – Water Resources/Environmental and Land and Environmental Manager.
• Aquifer level tracking relative to well operation.
• Reservoir level analysis and forecasting.
• Support environmental staff with aquatic environmental permitting.
• Assist environmental staff with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis.
• Assist with reviewing proposed cellular macro-site installations.
• Assist with locating and obtaining rights for watershed monitoring wells.
• Monitoring and production well data analysis.
• Assist with Desalination Optimization project.
• Assist with watershed modeling efforts.
• Assist with memo and report writing.
• Assist with communications with agencies and stakeholders.
• Assist with research projects.
• Assist biologist with resource mapping in the Sweetwater River.
• Support easement management tasks and respond to encroachments.
• Support land management staff with Property Operations and Maintenance Plan updates, as needed.
• Assist with coordinating replacement of Sweetwater Dam Emergency Release Tunnel Valve MV38.
• Assist with reviewing design.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
Knowledge of:
• Modern office procedures and practices, equipment, and clerical techniques.
• Computer programs and software, such as Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, Adobe Acrobat.
• Safe work practices and procedures.
• Proper English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:
• Read and interpret maps, land management documents, and engineering drawings.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Perform field work under varying weather conditions.
• Interact with the public, other departments, contractors, and staff in a positive, consensus manner to further the goals of the Authority.
• Operate various kinds of office machines and equipment with accuracy.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Keyboard proficiently.
• Write clearly and effectively for identified audience.
• Use interpersonal skills effectively as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education/Training/Experience (positions in this class typically require):
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Senior standing from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, Water Resources, Geography, Planning, and/or Environmental Studies.
Licenses/Certifications – Required Conditions of Employment:
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License.
• Maintain an acceptable, safe, and active driving record, together with proof of insurability.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:
• Hear normal conversation in person and on the telephone.
• Mobility of arms to reach, and the dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects and to write legibly.
• Visual ability (which may be corrected) to read small print and video messages, including good peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Speak in a normal voice; able to be heard and understood on the telephone, in person, and to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Use office equipment such as personal computers, copiers and fax machines.
• Operate standard passenger vehicles.
• Lift, carry, push or pull up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Keyboarding for extended periods of time.
• Fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Mobility to stand, walk, stoop, bend and extend legs on uneven ground.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) per standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Work outside in weather extremes of the local climate.
Working Hours:
• 20 hours per week (Monday through Friday) between the hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, as assigned by supervisor. Internship shall not exceed 960 hours per year.
Other Conditions:
• It is important that incumbents in this position maintain a professional and businesslike image to the public at all times:
• A neat, clean and pressed appearance in clothing, hair and personal hygiene is important every day.
• Good judgment is expected in determining proper dress and appearance.
• All facial hair must be kept neat and trimmed.