Temporary Student Intern - Engineering

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.

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 Position

Successful candidates will, under general supervision, perform a variety of tasks working directly with professional and technical staff in various assigned areas including some field work. Temporary Student Interns will perform productive and challenging work by making essential contributions to projects, research or other District functions. Interns will receive hands-on training emphasizing teamwork, communication, independence, and development of technical skills.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Student Intern is a temporary job classification requiring enrollment as a full-time undergraduate engineering student.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Perform a variety of research, data collection, compilation, and analysis.

• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and/or studies.

• Prepare exhibits, spreadsheets, charts, and graphs.

• Prepare documents, memos, and other correspondence.

• Perform field work such as site visits, equipment witness testing, and taking measurements and photos.

• Perform tasks outside of the office, such as recording documents with the County.

• Attend meetings and prepare meeting minutes.

• Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.

• Perform administrative duties, including filing, copying, scanning, and emailing.

• Work a minimum of 10 hours per week.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Education:

• High School graduate. Actively enrolled as an Engineering student in an institution of higher learning at the undergraduate level is required throughout the duration of the assignment.
• Civil, Environmental, Mechanical or Construction Management Engineering majors preferred.
• Students with an interest in Water and/or Environmental Engineering preferred.

Experience:

• Knowledge of research methods and data collection techniques, including statistical methods, English usage, grammar, punctuation, report writing techniques, and intermediate-level skills in Microsoft Office Suite is required.
• Experience with AutoCAD is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• MS Office Suite (Word, Excel).
• Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees and management.
• Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with outside professionals and vendors.
• 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.
• Perform basic mathematics, including multiplication, division, and calculating percentages.
• Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.
• Remain calm in crisis and emergency situations.
• Use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive and confidential information.

Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stoop, and stand. Occasionally required to lift up to 25 lbs. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time while performing tasks at a desk or workstation. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. This may involve repetitive hand movements for extended periods. Ability to reach for documents, supplies, or equipment at varying heights (within a standard office environment) and grasp them, including the use of filing cabinets or shelves. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Occasional standing is required, such as when presenting. Some bending or stooping may be necessary to retrieve files or materials from lower shelves or desks. Good vision is necessary for reading documents, working with computer screens, and performing tasks that require fine detail. Ability to hear in a standard office environment for communication, phone calls, and meetings. Frequent verbal communication with team members, clients, and other stakeholders, including both in-person and virtual meetings, requiring clear speech and hearing. Occasional travel may be required to other worksites or conferences for meetings, training, or other work-related activities. The job may require sustained concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Ability to walk long distances over uneven terrain. The employee should be able to manage work-related stress in a fast-paced environment. These physical demands may vary depending on the specific duties and expectations of the position.

Noise level is generally equivalent to a typical office environment. The office is maintained at a comfortable room temperature. The office is equipped with air conditioning and ventilation systems designed to maintain comfortable indoor air quality. The work area is equipped with adequate artificial lighting, supplemented by natural daylight from windows where available. The employee will work primarily at a desk, using a computer and other office equipment. The office complies with standard safety regulations, including the use of fire exits, first aid kits, and emergency procedures. Employees are expected to adhere to safety guidelines. The office environment is free from significant environmental hazards such as chemicals, heavy machinery, or extreme weather conditions.