External Affairs Intern

External Affairs Intern

Salary

$23.51 - $25.86 Hourly

Location

WRD Headquarters, Lakewood, CA

Job Type

Student Intern

Job Number

202600008

Department

External Affairs

Opening Date

07/06/2026

Closing Date

7/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Purpose

The Water Replenishment District (WRD or District) is a California Special District responsible for managing and protecting local groundwater resources for over 4 million people. As a local government agency, WRD ensures that a reliable supply of high-quality groundwater is available through the use of stormwater capture and recycled water.

The Water Replenishment District (WRD or District) is seeking two (2) motivated Interns for the External Affairs Department. The interns will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience supporting various professional duties in the implementation and administration of District-wide government affairs, public education, community outreach, conservation and social media relations programs, as well as plans and strategies to meet designated District public relations goals and objectives. Under supervision, this position will involve working with Public Affairs Representatives, Government Affairs Representatives, project managers, water industry stakeholders, and the general public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This multifaceted position will span a variety of activities and therefore require the incumbent to be highly motivated and exercise flexibility and discretion as they perform various tasks related to community outreach, government affairs, water education, as well as digital and print communications.The ideal candidate must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college/university and be capable of working up to 20 hours per week. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply.

Assignments may include, but are not limited to:

• Assists in implementing District-wide government affairs, public education and media outreach programs, social media campaigns, and water conservation initiatives and activities.
• Assists with creating public relations and education materials and collateral, including promotional pieces, annual reports, guides, brochures, charts and other print/graphic materials; learns and implements the District's brand guidelines; conducts background research to write materials.
• Attend a variety of community events, meetings, and WRD tours and workshops.
• Complete administrative tasks such as updating databases, tracking inventory, receiving and storing WRD promotional materials, packing and unpacking for events, processing accounting forms, and making or receiving phone calls.

Familiarity with the following is favored:

• Microsoft office products, especially Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint;
• Google Suite: Sheets, Slides, Forms and Docs
• Email campaign design and adding contacts to audience lists
• Community outreach events such as festivals, and/or education programs such as field trips, summer camps, and/or classroom presentations;
• Social media platforms including Sprout Social, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn;
• Design (Canva), photography, or video editing software a plus.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Ability to do the following is favored:

• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrate a high level of organization, tact, and a positive outlook and drive;
• Work independently, or in a team setting;
• Gain an understanding of new concepts in a constantly changing environment;
• Work weekends and evenings with prior notice;
• Work outdoors under various weather conditions.

Qualifications

Candidates must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. The Public Affairs intern must be able to communicate clear, consistent messages as they relate to environmental and sustainability issues, in a variety of media, including press releases, brochures, internet, and social media product guides. They must also have good interpersonal skills to deal with a diverse group of contacts, including multiple WRD departments, students, the general public, water industry professionals, and WRD's community partners.

1. Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university or be a recent college graduate (within 6 months) with a degree in or a closely related to the field of the internship. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply. Applicants pursuing degrees in Communications, Political Science, Marketing, Public & Media Relations, Environmental Education, or related fields are strongly encouraged to apply.

2. Successful completion of a physical and a background check

3. Must provide a copy of current college transcript

Duration

• Each internship is for one 12-month period.
• The work schedule for interns is intended to be part-time, but extended work schedules may be allowed during school breaks or as the student's schedule permits.
• Flexible, part-time (10 to 20 hours per week) schedule coordinated to work with school schedules but will not exceed more than 990 hours in the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).

COMPENSATION: $23.51 per hour for undergraduate students and $25.86 per hour for graduate students.

For purposes of employment, interns are considered temporary employees and are not eligible for any benefits unless required by law.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: Applications will be accepted until 07/17/2026. WRD reserves the right to fill or close the position at any time, before or after 07/17/2026.

To be considered for this opportunity please complete the application process for this position located at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wrd.

The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which will include a panel interview and possible written exam.

Final candidates must be able to prove legal U.S. residency, pass a background check, and a physical exam

The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application and Selection Process:

To be considered for this opportunity, please complete the application for this position located at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wrd.

Incomplete submissions may result in disqualification. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which may include a panel interview and a written exam.

Final candidates must be able to prove their ability to work legally in the U.S., pass a background check, and a physical exam.

The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For purposes of employment, temporary employees and interns are not eligible for any benefits unless required by law.

Pursuant to state law, temporary employees and interns are eligible for 40 hours of paid sick leave in accordance with the District's sick leave policy after completion of 90 calendar days of employment. Any unused hours of sick leave will be forfeited as of December 31st. A new accrual of 40 hours will be provided at the start of the calendar year. Upon completion of the internship assignment, unused sick leave will be lost.

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

Are you currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university, or are you a recent graduate (within the past six months) with a degree in, or closely related to, the field of this internship, or a current graduate student?

• Yes
• No

03

If you selected yes in the question above, please state your major here:

04

Applicants must provide copies of their college/ university transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) or degree. Have you uploaded the required documentation to your on-line application? Note: Applications received without the required documentation will be considered incomplete and removed from consideration.

• Yes
• No

05

Tell us the reason you are interested in this internship and if selected, what you expect to gain from the experience.

Required Question

Employer Water Replenishment District

Address 4040 Paramount Blvd.

Lakewood, California, 90712

Phone 562-275-4300

Website www.wrd.org