Operational Excellence Intern Jobs in Riverside, CA

Salary: $21.00 Hourly
Location : SMWD District Office and Service Areas, CA
Job Type: Intern
Job Number: 2025-31
Department: Various Departments
Opening Date: 05/15/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Description
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by individual positions.
Meet Santa Margarita Water District
Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region's largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters.
Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD's goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies.
Santa Margarita Water District's values include:

• Exemplary service excellence
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency
• Environmental and resource stewardship
• Employee development and leadership training
• Building relationships that strengthen communities

Below are different departments where you are able to do your internship with!
Communications
The Communications & Customer Engagement Intern will support the District's Communications Department with various projects that enhance internal and external communications, digital engagement, and public relations efforts. This role is ideal for a student pursuing a degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field, with an interest in water, government, or public service.
Preferred candidates will be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Communications, Marketing, PR, Journalism, or related. Familiarity with social media platforms, email marketing tools, and basic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe, Constant Contact, etc.), and be comfortable with basic data analysis and survey tools (e.g., Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, JotForm, Constant Contact).
Water Resiliency/GIS
The Water Resiliency Data Science / GIS Intern is a training position in the field of water resource management, with a focus on data science and/or geographic information systems (GIS), depending on the applicant's skillset and interests. The Intern shall support the District's deployment of GIS and related geodatabases, along with the development of the District's data warehouse and related business intelligence dashboards. The Data Science / GIS Intern will learn how to perform quality control on asset conversion datasets; geo-reference assets from record drawings and plan sets; create and maintain shapefiles, feature classes, and datasets to support District water resiliency projects; develop Esri story-maps to highlight District programs and resources; and assist with water resiliency projects and functions.
Water Conservation/Customer Service
The Water Conservation & Customer Service Intern ("Intern") will support the District's water efficiency and customer service programs through data management and customer outreach. The role provides hands-on experience with meter-to-cash processes, including measuring customer consumption, billing, revenue management, and customer engagement. The Intern will also gain practical field experience in using water meters to identify leaks and recommend on-site water use improvements. After training, the Intern will assist with outreach, scheduling, and performing residential site surveys; computer data entry and analysis; and mapping field assets.
Water Quality
The District's Laboratory Division is responsible for monitoring the quality and safety of our drinking water supply through rigorous sampling and analysis. This internship provides a valuable opportunity for a diligent college student or recent graduate to gain practical, hands-on experience in the field of water quality. Interns will apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges in the water industry, supporting the District's mission to deliver high-quality drinking water. The Water Quality Intern reports directly to the Regulatory & Logistics Manager or their designee, working closely with our team of professionals to conduct water sampling and analysis to improve the District's process control activities.
Operations
Start your utility career with Santa Margarita Water District as a Utility Intern. In this hands-on role, you'll gain valuable training and real-world experience supporting the construction, maintenance, and repair of critical water, wastewater, and recycled water systems. As an essential part of our field operations team, you'll help ensure safe and reliable service for our community-while building skills for long-term growth.
Interns will work side-by-side with experienced crew members and receive mentorship, technical instruction, and opportunities to earn required certifications.
Information Technology
Join our dynamic IT team and gain hands-on experience across key areas like cybersecurity, cloud/networking, business intelligence, and enterprise applications. You'll contribute to impactful projects and help support our IT operations, all while learning from industry professionals in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This is a unique opportunity to grow your skills, explore cutting-edge technologies, and make a real impact in critical infrastructure!
JOB SUMMARY
Santa Margarita Water District is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Intern to join our team. This internship provides a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the Administration, Communications, Finance, Information Technology, Operations, or Water Resiliency & Use Efficiency department while learning about the vital role water agencies play in public service, environmental management, and infrastructure operations.
This is a tmporary entry-level position for a college student intern who will work no more than 900 hours per fiscal year and no more than 20 hours in a seven-day period. Positions assigned to this level perform limited project-based assignments and support department operations. The incumbent is expected to work professionally.
Intern selection is based on education, career goals, and related experience. Interns are not regular full-or part-time employees, and they are not eligible for benefits, except those required by law. They do not obtain position or seniority rights. Interns are at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Intern position is designed to provide students or recent graduates with professional experience in a learning environment. Unlike permanent staff positions, this role focuses on education, skill development, and exposure to the operations of the Santa Margarita Water District. Interns work under close supervision and are not expected to have prior experience in the field. This position is temporary in nature and typically coincides with an academic program or specific project duration.
Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Assist staff with routine tasks and projects.
2. Help maintain workflow efficiency within the department.
3. Gather and analyze information for projects or reports.
4. Summarize findings and present them to supervisors.
5. Organize files, data entry, scheduling, or taking meeting notes.
6. Assist with correspondence, document preparation, or database updates.
7. Shadow professionals to understand organizational structure and job roles.
8. Attend meetings, trainings, or site visits to gain industry insight.
9. Collaborate on team assignments or individual projects.
10. Contribute ideas and complete deliverables under guidance.
11. Provide status updates to supervisors.
12. Engage professionally with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders.
13. Adhere to company protocols, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards
14. Be open to guidance from mentors or supervisors.
15. Make adjustments to improve performance and learning.
16. Filing, organizing documents, and maintaining records.
17. Assisting with reports, grant applications, or compliance paperwork.
18. Learning about state and federal regulations affecting water quality and distribution.
19. Assisting in compiling data for regulatory reporting.

Requisite Abilities/Qualifications & Guidelines
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.
• No prior work experience required.

Education, Training, and Experience:
Enrollment in a college, university. or vocational program.
Knowledge of:

• Communication & Team Collaboration
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
• Time Management
• Adaptability
• Eagerness to Learn

Ability to:

1. Follow oral and written instructions.
2. Assist departments in special projects.
3. Work effectively as part of a team and learn from experienced technicians.
4. Maintain accurate records.
5. Perform research, prepare and analyze data.
6. Make sound analyses and evaluations.
7. Adhere to District safety procedures and practices
8. Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in both oral and written forms
9. Use a variety of office and field tools, devices, and equipment
10. Ability to work independently and take initiative.
11. Attention to detail.

Other Necessary Requirements/Additional Information
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
Administrative: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 10 pounds unaided.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Operations: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; climb or balance on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and have the ability to detect odors. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds unaided and up to 100 pounds with assistance.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
Administrative: While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets people and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public.
Operations: While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses water math; learns and applies new information and skills; responds to emergencies; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Laboratory: The employee works in a laboratory environment and is regularly exposed to biological and chemical hazards, such as acids, corrosives, and cleaning materials, fumes or airborne particles, and is required to wear protective gloves, eye protection, and lab coats. The employee is also exposed to hot equipment, such as hot plates, hot testing equipment, and open flames, and may be exposed to broken glass and radioactivity.
Operations: The employee works in a shop and field environment where the noise level is usually moderate. The employee works in outdoor weather conditions, extreme heat or cold, wet, humid conditions; in confined spaces; on ladders/scaffolding or in high, precarious places; on uneven or slippery surfaces; near moving mechanical parts; near moving equipment; and near heavy traffic. The employee is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and biological hazards. The employee is occasionally exposed to loud or prolonged noise and equipment with heavy vibrations. The employee may be at risk of electrical shock.
Administrative: The e