Summer Internship Biologist

Description

VIRTUAL/ ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AND MONTORING UNIT/ INTERNSHIP/ SAN JOSE

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Silicon Valley with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. We manage an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents.

Our popular internship program provides excellent opportunities to explore your chosen career path, develop industry specific skills and knowledge, and increase your professional network! Summer 2021 will be the first-ever virtual cycle of our Summer Internship Program and will provide interns with training and experience with virtual collaboration tools and remote work. Each intern will have a mentor and will be provided virtual professional development training, participate in virtual networking events, attend virtual meetings, and prepare a virtual Capstone presentation at the end of the program. We do have some positions that require the intern to be in the lab, office or field so check the internship location status below.

The Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Unit is responsible for: managing long-term mitigation monitoring programs for Valley Water; ecology-oriented, stewardship Safe Clean Water Programs; land management and easement monitoring for mitigation lands; oversight of the plant pathogen program; providing biological subject matter expertise to support over 30 capital projects and long range planning programs; and managing the Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Collaborative Effort (FAHCE). Unit staff provide ecological and biological expertise supporting Valley Water activities, projects, and programs to effectively manage natural resources, stewardship, and comply with environmental laws and regulations. The Unit specializes in special-status species, jurisdictional habitats, impact and habitat function assessments, avoidance and minimization measures, mitigation design and monitoring, and environmental permitting and stewardship.

INTERNSHIP LOCATION STATUS: This internship is 100% virtual. For virtual work, Interns must perform their work in the State of California not more than 150 miles from Valley Water's office (5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA).

Required License or Certificate

WE LOOK FOR INTERNS WHO ARE:

• Students pursuing a Bachelor's in degree in biology, ecology, botany, zoology, or a related discipline in the life sciences.
• Experience working with the local flora and fauna of Santa Clara County.
• GIS experience is a plus.

AS AN INTERN YOU WILL:

• Biological monitoring for Mitigation and Monitoring Projects.
• Plant and habitat mapping/monitoring, riverine CRAM field assessments, conservation easement monitoring, data analysis and reporting.
• Planning, design and construction biological support for Capital Projects.
• Data entry/analysis and equipment maintenance/management.
• If allowed, we hope the intern can complete field visits.

Selection Process

YOUR MENTOR :
Les L. graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Fisheries Science. He is been at Valley Water for 5 years monitoring local fisheries and working on dam operation and retrofit projects. In his free time you can find him fly fishing and mushroom hunting throughout the west coast.

ELIGIBILITY:
The Summer Internship Program is open to undergraduate (Junior or Senior) and higher graduate-level students who will be enrolled in a community college/university for Fall 2021.

• Pass a pre-employment screening process to include a background check
• Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start of assignment
• Can work full-time (40 hours/week) during the Summer Internship Program (June to August)

APPLICATION PROCESS:
We will be accepting applications from January 25 through February 7, 2021. You will need to provide the following with the online application:

• Fully completed online Employment Application. We are very interested in learning about your school projects, volunteer events and/or extracurricular activities.
• Complete the supplemental questions in the job application, these will help us get to know you better. Hint: answer each question fully, but be clear and concise – feel free to use bullet points, you do not have to write long paragraphs. Do not indicate "see resume" as a response to any of the questions.
• Optional Resume and cover letter, these are helpful and appreciated by the Managers reviewing the applications.

Interns who have participated in the Valley Water's Summer Internship Program in past years are not eligible to apply.

Valley Water does not provide medical benefits, vacation pay, holiday pay, or any other benefits.
Valley Water is committed to creating an inclusive work environment which supports the diversity of our community and enriches our perspectives. A workforce that finds strength and creativity in its diversity is critical to delivering quality products and services. In solidarity of the Black Lives Matter movement, Valley Water Chair Nai Hsueh made a public statement on racial injustice and inequality in June 2020 that reflects Valley Water's Value Statement "All individuals are unique and important, and will be treated with fairness, dignity and respect."

Students Interns or Temporary Workers are not eligible for District Benefits.