Water Replenishment District | Water Leaders Academy | Admin Intern | CUSD

Employer: Water Replenishment District (WRD)

Position Title: Admin Intern

Department: Office | Field

Location: On-site at WRD Headquarters (4040 Paramount Blvd. Lakewood, CA 90712)

Duration: Approximately 50 hours total : 25 hours after school and 25 hours during spring break (March 29 to April 2, 2027)

Compensation: $20

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Water Replenishment District (WRD) is a public agency responsible for managing and protecting groundwater resources across Southern Los Angeles County. WRD supports a sustainable water supply through groundwater replenishment, water quality monitoring, and environmental stewardship. Through education and workforce initiatives such as the Water Leaders Academy, WRD introduces students to water industry careers and helps prepare the next generation of water and environmental professionals.

JOB SUMMARY

The WRD Water Leaders Academy Administrative Internship is a paid, 50-hour experience designed to introduce Compton USD high school students to the work of a public water agency. Based at WRD’s Lakewood headquarters, interns will rotate across departments, assist with administrative tasks, and learn how different teams support water resources, environmental sustainability, and public utility operations.

The internship will begin between January and February and conclude in April. Students will complete 25 hours after school and the remaining 25 hours during Compton USD’s spring break. Since the internship will start early January, the internship will be about 2-3 hour shifts per week. The internship will end after the spring break trip. Students must be able to provide their own transportation to and from the internship site (4040 Paramount Blvd. Lakewood, CA 90712).

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The internship combines administrative experience, department rotations, staff mentorship, and career exploration. Interns will learn how functions such as administration, finance, external affairs, hydrogeology, engineering, and water resource management contribute to WRD’s mission, with rotations based on department availability.

Through office assignments and job shadowing, students will develop an understanding of water agency operations while strengthening organization, communication, and workplace skills.

Program Schedule:

Total internship: 50 hours, beginning between January and February and concluding in April.

1. After-school portion: ~25 total hours, scheduled approximately 2-6 hours per week based on student availability and department schedules. One shift will be approximately 2-3 hours.

2. Spring break portion: ~25 total hours during Compton USD’s spring break, consisting of up to five hours per day for five days.

• Spring break daily schedule: Each five-hour shift will take place within the 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. window.

Final dates and shifts will be coordinated with WRD, students, and the school.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Interns will learn to:

• Understand WRD’s role in groundwater replenishment, water resource management, and environmental stewardship.

• Explore how different departments work together to support a public water agency.

• Gain experience with administrative tasks, document preparation, data entry, and office organization.

• Learn how planning, budgeting, communication, and technical work support water programs and services.

• Explore careers in administration, finance, public affairs, engineering, environmental science, and water management.

• Develop professional skills including communication, teamwork, time management, and workplace etiquette.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative & Office Support

• Assist with filing, scanning, data entry, and organizing documents and program materials.

• Help prepare meeting materials, presentations, and other documents under staff guidance.

• Support scheduling, meeting preparation, and routine office activities.

• Follow staff instructions for handling records and maintaining confidentiality.

Field & Facility Participation

• Rotate across participating departments at WRD’s Lakewood headquarters.

• Shadow staff and learn about each department’s responsibilities, projects, and career pathways.

• Observe how administrative and technical teams coordinate to support water resources and district operations.

• Ask questions, take notes, and participate in discussions with staff.

Project-Based Learning & Reflection

• Assist with assigned department projects, which may include basic research, spreadsheet updates, outreach preparation, or document organization.

• Complete brief reflections connecting department experiences to WRD’s work.

• Prepare an end-of-program reflection or presentation highlighting skills developed and careers explored.

Program Completion Requirements

• Complete all 50 internship hours between January/February and April.

• Complete 25 hours after school and 25 hours during Compton USD’s spring break.

• Participate in orientation, department rotations, and assigned activities.

• Communicate availability and scheduling changes promptly.

• Complete the end-of-program reflection or presentation.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Students are encouraged to apply if they:

• Are enrolled in a Compton USD high school or CTE pathway.

• Have an interest in public service, environmental science, administration, business, finance, communications, or engineering.

• Want to learn how a water agency operates and serves its community.

• Are comfortable learning basic office tools, including email, word processing, and spreadsheets.

• Can commit to the after-school and spring break schedule through reliable transportation.

• Demonstrate curiosity, responsibility, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn.

• A work permit is required.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Engage directly with engineers, operators, scientists, and utility leaders across multiple agencies.

• Develop professional skills including communication, teamwork, punctuality, and workplace etiquette.

• Participate in resume workshops, interview preparation sessions, and career pathway guidance.

• Build industry awareness of safety standards, regulatory compliance, and field professionalism.

• Complete a reflection project demonstrating understanding of water systems and career pathways.

• Strengthen STEM exposure and environmental literacy aligned with college and CTE pathways.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Field & Facility Experiences

  • Interns will be stationed at WRD’s Lakewood headquarters.

  • Activities will primarily take place in offices, meeting rooms, and shared workspaces.

  • Tasks may involve computer use, sitting, standing, moving between departments, and handling office materials.

• Safety & Supervision

  • All site visits are fully supervised by agency staff, WRD educators, and Tomorrow’s Talent team members.

  • Students will receive clear safety guidelines before entering any operational areas.

• Program Conditions

  • Students may be walking outdoors and should be prepared for varying weather conditions.

  • Closed-toe shoes may be required for field days.

  • All activities emphasize safety, professionalism, and respect for operational environments.

  • Dress code:

    • Long pants and closed toed shoes (unless otherwise specified)

    • Cohort t-shirt or polo (will be supplied by WRD)

    • Business casual dress may be required for some days (i.e.; networking opportunities, presentations, celebrations)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to a required resume, applicants must provide thoughtful, detailed responses to the following two questions (at least one paragraph per question).

1. Why is this water internship important to you during your final semester at Compton USD? Explain what you hope to learn and how this experience connects to your interests, education, or future career goals after high school.
   
   

2. How will you ensure you arrive in person and on time at WRD’s Lakewood headquarters for every scheduled shift? Describe your transportation plan for both after-school shifts and spring break, including how you will account for travel time and what backup arrangements you will use if your primary transportation becomes unavailable.

Preference will be given to students who previously participated in the WRD Water Leaders Academy.