The Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for a Temporary Student Intern position in the Regulatory Compliance Department.
The District
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
The Position
Under general supervision, performs a variety of research tasks and support work and prepares comprehensive reports and studies as assigned, working directly with professional and technical staff in assigned areas. Temporary Student Interns will perform meaningful, productive and challenging work by making significant contributions to projects, research or other primary District functions. Temporary Student Interns will receive hands on training emphasizing teamwork, independence and development of technical skills.
Student Interns in the Regulatory Compliance Department will gain hands on training and experience performing field sample collection of water, recycled water, and wastewater facilities using multiple techniques. Interns will also gain experience with entering data for regulatory reporting, reviewing new and existing regulations in the water and wastewater industries, using software to streamline data management and regulatory processes, and gain valuable knowledge about water permitting and public health and environmental protection while serving the local community.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Student Intern is a temporary job classification who is actively enrolled as a student in an institution of higher learning at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Perform a variety of office and/or field research, data collection and analysis related to an assigned subject.
Under supervision, utilize appropriate field instruments and equipment to measure and record physical water quality parameters and/or collect appropriate water samples at various locations for laboratory analysis.
Shadow expert position(s) within the department and train in a variety of tasks.
Compile, organize and interpret data.
Prepare comprehensive technical reports and/or studies on assigned subject matter.
Perform preliminary quality assurance review of field water quality data that has been entered into Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) by Regulatory Compliance Field Monitoring Staff.
Prepare documents, memos and other correspondence as necessary for project completion.
Attend meetings as required.
Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees, the general public and management. Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with outside professionals and vendors. Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.
Mathematical Ability
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages.
Technology Ability
Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite, SharePoint and Teams (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive and confidential information.
Physical Requirements
Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stoop and stand for extended periods of time. May have to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
Environmental Adaptability
Noise level is generally equivalent to a typical office environment while in the office. For field assignments, the ability to work in an environment, which may expose employee to hazardous or malodorous materials and/or conditions. Noise level may be higher than typical office environments while in the laboratory, field or construction site.
