Student Intern (Ocean Monitoring)

Student Intern (Ocean Monitoring)

Salary

$21.00 - $24.00 Hourly

Location

Plant 1 - 10844 Ellis Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, CA

Job Type

Intern

Job Number

201

Department

Environmental Services

Division

Environmental Compliance

Opening Date

09/09/2026

Closing Date

9/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, wed love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect

We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving

We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability

We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning

We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety

We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Student Intern (Ocean Monitoring).

Under close supervision of the Environmental Supervisor for the Ocean Monitoring Group, the Student Intern performs various tasks that relate to the incumbents academic field of study and exposes the incumbent to OC Sans work environment.

The Student Intern may assist in the collection of various types of ocean samples aboard OC Sans 58-foot monitoring vessel Nerissa, process benthic infauna, epibenthic macroinvertebrates, and fish samples for identification in the taxonomy laboratory; assist in whole effluent and whole sediment toxicity test set-up, monitoring, and break-down in the toxicology laboratory; perform data collection, entry, tabulation, and analysis for special projects, reports, and studies; assist with the preparation and presentation of reports and other documents; maintain laboratory files and records; assist with strategic process studies such as using a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer for the analysis of microplastic samples; collect and prepare laboratory samples for assay; prepare and set up laboratory equipment for tests, clean glassware, and assist with calibrating oceanographic instrumentation; assist with preparing for field sampling events; perform scientific literature searches in support of research projects; perform related duties as required.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent;

• Full-time college student of at least junior level in good standing in a bachelor's or graduate degree program in a field of study related to the OC Sans activities.

• Valid California Class C Driver's License.

Eligibility:

• Undergraduate and graduate students must be enrolled full-time at a college or university, be in good standing, and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better to be eligible for a paid internship with the OC San.
• Majoring in marine biology, oceanography, biology, ecology, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Only students who have at least one year of school remaining will be considered.
• Verification of enrollment from the registrars office indicating "student in good standing" prior to employment with OC San.
• Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from a professor, previous employer or internship supervisor as part of their application.

Work Schedule:

This internship will run concurrently with school and will require a minimum of 15 hours of work on-site each week (and up to 20 hours a week) typically during Monday through Thursday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. but may require flexing as needed during sampling surveys. OC San will also allow flexibility during final exam periods.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies)

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 by 5:00 PM PST.

(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Application Process:

In order to receive full consideration for an internship with OC San, applicants are required to attach the following documents to their online application:

• Verification of enrollment from the school, indicating full-time enrollment

• Letter of recommendation from a professor, previous employer or internship supervisor

Compensation:

Undergraduate Student: $21.00/Hour

Graduate Student: $24.00/Hour

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting or laboratory, if applicable, and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office or laboratory, if applicable, environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Other information

For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide(Download PDF reader).

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San's pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Interns are not considered regular employees, and therefore are not eligible for benefits or holiday pay.

01

PLEASE READ. The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with your job application to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected. Do not submit a resume in place of completing these Supplemental Questions. Education obtained outside the United States must be comparable to education earned at an accredited school in the United States. We reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript. Any information you submit may be verified. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected. I also understand that I may not submit a resume in lieu of filling out the job application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

• Yes, I understand.

02

To be eligible for an internship with OC San, you must attach the documents listed below to your online application. Failure to submit these documents may disqualify you from further consideration. 1) Verification of enrollment from the school, indicating full-time enrollment 2) Letter of recommendation from a professor, previous employer, or internship supervisor. Click on the button below to acknowledge that you have read and understand this information.

• Yes, I understand.

03

Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04

This internship requires full-time enrollment in an accredited college or university. Are you currently enrolled as a full-time student?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you (or will you be) majoring in Marine Biology, Oceanography, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Studies, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

06

Please indicate the major(s) (and minor if applicable) you are pursuing as part of your education in the space provided below.

07

Please indicate your current year in school.

• Freshman Undergraduate Student
• Sophomore Undergraduate Student
• Junior Undergraduate Student
• Senior Undergraduate Student
• 1st Year Graduate Student
• 2nd Year Graduate Student
• Not currently attending a college or university

08

Do you have at least one (academic) year of school remaining?

• Yes
• No

09

Please indicate your expected graduation date (month/year) in the space provided.

10

Please describe why you are interested in this internship. What are your career goals and how will this internship help you achieve those goals?

11

Can you commit to working on site at our Fountain Valley or Huntington Beach facilities, and/or on board OC Sans ocean vessel for 15 - 20 hours per week?

• Yes
• No

12

This internship is year-round (not a seasonal internship). The duration of this internship is 12 months. Can you commit to working the entire internship (12 months) continuously?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you feel comfortable working on an ocean vessel at sea in various weather conditions (e.g., heavy ocean swells, sun, rain, wind, heat, and cold)?

• Yes
• No

14

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide your reasoning and briefly describe any experience working on an ocean vessel in the space below. If you answered "no" or have no experience, please input "N/A".

15

Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid California Class C drivers license by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Orange County Sanitation District