Host: CA State Water Resources Control Board
Region: Northern California
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Public Health, Waste Management, Water Management, Water Policy
Skills Needed: Project Management, Research, Data Analysis, Environmental Justice, Communication, Critical Thinking

Service Needs & Plans

The fellow’s project will help us better understand how water conservation and efficiency varies throughout the state and provide succinct recommendations that can be implemented in governmental rulemaking and regulations, while working with diverse teams in state government.

Project Description

In 2018, conservation legislation tasked the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) with adopting standards for the efficient use of water and performance measures for commercial, industrial, and institutional water use. The SWRCB has been collecting data and engaging with interested parties to inform its water conservation work. Fellows will work on urban water conservation and develop skills in quantitative data analysis, survey design, equity, and stakeholder engagement and communication. The fellow’s project will help us better understand how water conservation and efficiency varies throughout the state and provide succinct recommendations that can be implemented in governmental rulemaking and regulations, while working with diverse teams in state government.

Desired Skills

-Project management
-Community engagement/outreach
-Research in environmental justice and related socio-economic demographics and ability to summarize research in writing
-Languages (besides English)
-GIS Mapping
-Data Collection/Visualizations
-Data/Quantitative Analysis
-Environmental/Climate Justice
-Flexible/patient/adaptable
-Works well in a team or individually
-Critical Thinker
-Detail-Oriented and organized
-Accountable
-Strong writing skills
-Strong communication skills

Organization & Community Highlights

The Water Boards mission is to “preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.” The Water Boards acknowledge and dedicate resources to the implementation of the human right to water (Resolution No. 2016-0010/SAFER drinking water program), racial equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion (through resolution 2021-0050 and the recently supported 23-25 Racial Equity Action Plan) as core values in all the work we do. Assembly Bill 2108 went into effect January 2023 and has spurred specific work in community engagement to assess environmental justice impacts associated with waste discharge requirements and other water quality permitting/policies. The Water Boards culture is to provide a work environment free of harassment or discrimination for staff, partners, and the public.

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid