Internship and training programs

Internship And Training Programs At EBMUD

EBMUD offers a variety of paid internship and training programs as part of its long-term workforce development strategy to attract, recruit, and retain a diverse, qualified workforce. EBMUD internships, managed by the Diversity and Inclusion Office, offer valuable hands-on experience/training to individuals pursuing/exploring careers in water and wastewater services. Internships help interns compete for future regular employment opportunities at EBMUD.

High School Summer Internship (HSSI) Program

East Bay program

Each summer, EBMUD welcomes high school students from throughout the EBMUD service area to participate in our HSSI program, which runs for 6 weeks from mid-June through July. High school interns work approximately 15 hours per week and receive paid stipends.

High school interns develop a variety of skills critical to their future academic and career success through dynamic hands-on work experience, which includes weekly enrichments, career exploration opportunities, and support/mentorship from EBMUD staff.

The application period has closed for the East Bay HSSI program.

Applicants who applied prior to the deadline of Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm will be notified of next steps in April 2024.

  • Eligibility Criteria:

    • Current high school students (sophomores - seniors)

      • Students who will graduate in spring 2024 are eligible for the 2024 HSSI program

    • Must have US employment authorization

    • Must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination

      • Those with sincerely held religious beliefs or valid medical reasons may be exempted.

    • Must be available for duration of program (June 17 – July 26, 2024)

    • Must be able to secure own transportation to/from assigned internship site (parking not provided)

  • Application Process:

    • 11:59 pm on Friday, February 23, 2024: Online applications for the 2024 HSSI program are due 

    • March 2024: applications are reviewed by EBMUD staff

    • April 2024: Offers made to successful candidates (up to 35 interns will be selected)

    • May 2024: Pre-employment on-boarding of confirmed interns

  • The HSSI program offers a variety of internship areas/placements each year. Previous internship areas have included Engineering, Human Resources, Communications, Water Conservation, Skilled Trades, Wastewater, and Administration. 
  • High school interns will be placed in an on-site internship at an EBMUD worksite. Though most high school interns are assigned to worksites in Oakland, worksites vary based on internship placement.
    • Examples of previous reporting locations are: Oakland, Walnut Creek, Orinda, and Lafayette.
  • Schedules will vary depending on internship placement/location.
    • EBMUD business/operation hours are Monday - Friday, from 8:00am - 4:30pm. 

HSSI interns will:

  1. Work closely with EBMUD staff to develop skills through hands-on work experience in a field of interest
  2. Be paired with an EBMUD mentor and network with peers and professionals in their field of interest
  3. Gain valuable insight into the professional work environment and a variety of excellent water/wastewater career opportunities at EBMUD
  4. Develop skills critical to their future career/academic success such as business writing, teamwork, organization, communication, networking, professionalism, and planning
  5. Learn and utilize a variety of tools/software to complete work projects, manage their time, and communicate
  6. Understand the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
  7. Become familiar with EBMUD’s values of stewardship, integrity, respect, and teamwork
  8. Learn about EBMUD’s role in responsible and equitable natural resource management
Mokelumne Watershed HSSI (pilot) program

The application period has closed for the Mokelumne HSSI program.

Applicants who applied prior to the deadline of Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm will be notified of next steps in April 2024.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Current high school sophomores - seniors

    • Must attend one of the following high schools: Amador, Argonaut , Bret Harte Union, Calaveras, or Mountain Oaks School

  • Must have US employment authorization

  • Must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination

    • Those with sincerely held religious beliefs or valid medical reasons may be exempted

  • Must be available for duration of program (June 24-28, 2024)

  • Must be able to secure own transportation to/from internship site (Pardee Center: 3535 Sandretto Road, Valley Springs, CA 95252)

Application Process:

  • 12:00 am on Monday, February 19, 2024: online application opens

  • 11:59 pm on Friday, March 8, 2024: online applications are due

  • March 2024: Application reviewed and referral forms completed

  • April 2024: Offers made to successful candidates (up to 3 students will be selected)

  • May 2024: Pre-employment on-boarding of confirmed interns

  • June 24 – 28, 2024 (one week program)
  • 7:00 am – 3:30 pm (Includes two, 10-minute paid breaks and a 30-minute unpaid lunch)
  • Up to 8 work hours per day (approximately 40 hours total)
  • End-of-program stipend based on total number of hours worked (equivalent to $16.00/hour)
  • Up to three (3) students will be selected to participate

Learn about careers in the water/wastewater/watershed industry in this week-long internship program. Mokelumne watershed HSSI interns will have the opportunity to shadow staff, get hands-on experience, and develop important skills for their future career/academic success.

Direct internships

In direct internships, individuals are hired directly by EBMUD into part time (PT) or limited term (LT) classifications including PT Engineering Aide, LT Junior Engineer, PT Human Resources Intern, PT/LT Information Technology Intern, PT/LT Ranger/Naturalist I, and Student Intern.

Openings for the following direct internship positions will be posted on EBMUD's Job Opportunities Page as they become available:

1. LT Special Employment Program

  • Recruitment opening in winter 2024/spring 2025 - dates TBA

2. PT/LT Ranger/Naturalist I

3. College students/recent graduates (see below)

Current upper division college students or recent graduates are hired for one-year terms beginning either 1) summer or 2) winter and are eligible to work an additional year if they meet eligibility requirements.

Direct intern positions tend to be PT during the academic year (if applicable) and full time during the summer. 

Sponsored internships

Sponsored internships are unique opportunities for individuals to gain hands-on training and experience at EBMUD while being employed by a community-based organization (CBO). Sponsored internships include skilled trades and non-trades internships, such as Information Technology Service Desk and Ranger/Naturalist internship positions.

Application information for upcoming sponsored internships will be posted on this page as programs become available. 

  • A Ranger Internship (East Bay and Mokelumne Watershed) is being planned for Fall 2024 - dates TBA.
Speciality internships (Sponsored)

EBMUD partners with Toolworks, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities, to provide internship opportunities at EBMUD. Individuals interested in participating in the sponsored Toolworks internship at EBMUD should first contact Toolworks.

For any questions regarding EBMUD internship opportunities or to discuss becoming a partner with the District, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Office by telephone at 510-287-0710 or by email at dioffice@ebmud.com. 

Training programs

EBMUD offers in-house training programs for positions that prepare trainees for regular EBMUD staff positions. Trainees meet skill-development milestones within specified timelines.

Openings for trainee positions will be posted on EBMUD's Job Opportunities Page as they become available. 

To receive notifications when an EBMUD position opens in the next 12 months, click on the position title below, then click "Subscribe." You can find additional positions on EBMUD's Job Descriptions and Salary Information page.