External Affairs Internship

Requisition: 10-02

Status: Part-Time, Temporary, (16- 20 weekly hours)

Hourly salary: $10.00 - $15.00 depending on experience
Flexible Schedule

Length of Assignment

6 months or 900 hours per fiscal year

Closing Date

Internship job opportunity will be advertised until sufficient applications have been received. Any provisions contained in this job posting may be modified or revoked without notice and do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. The internship is open until filled.

WHO WE ARE
Western Municipal Water District is located in the Western portion of Riverside County in California. Western is a leader in regional water resource management. This is an excellent opportunity to join the Western team – a team dedicated to ensuring a safe, reliable water supply for one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

The District consists of 130 full time employees of whom are performing engineering services, clerical, administrative support and field operations. The District has several areas of responsibilities: Finance, Public Affairs, Operations and Engineering, Water Resources, External Affairs, Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology and Risk and Safety.

WHAT WE DO
The District provides water treatment, water distribution and sewer collection services to a 527 square mile area of western Riverside County. Western currently sells approximately 125,000 acre feet in water annually. Western serves approximately 24,000 retail and 8 wholesale customers with an assessed valuation of $83 billion and a population of more than 853,000. Western also operates the Murrieta Division which provides water and wastewater services to approximately 2,600 customers within the 6.5 square mile service area.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Intern responsibilities will include: assisting with water education program, draft pitch letters, draft articles for newsletters, research and update VIP contact list, media list management, as well as administrative support.

QUALIFICATIONS
• The successful candidate will have completed or maintained course work with a C or better grade.
• Must have a demonstrated record of service beyond self
• Must have a demonstrated record of leadership and innovative problem solving
• Must have excellent skills in written and oral communication; plus the ability to communicate clearly and concisely for the purpose of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with co-workers, elected officials and members of the public
• Must be capable of operating standard office equipment and must be proficient with software including MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint and Office Publisher; MS Access skills are preferred.
• Must demonstrate excellent attention to detail
• Political campaign and/or news reporting experience is preferred
• Track record of Creativity and innovation preferred
• Strong organizational skills a must and Microsoft Outlook experience preferred
• Must be able to type at least 35 wpm

REQUIREMENTS
Currently enrolled in college as an undergraduate or graduate student, or have graduated within the last two years from an accredited college or university with coursework in the areas of political science, pre-law liberal arts, public relations, communications, marketing, business or related field.

SCOPE OF WORK
• Assist in legislative outreach activities in support of Western interests as defined in the District Strategic Plan and in accordance with Guiding Principles for Government Relations
• Assist in update to the Guiding Principles for Government Relations
• Help develop white papers, talking points, platform provisions
• MWD Inspection Trip Alumni support:

• Assist in development of on-going outreach program to MWD Inspection Trip Alumni (elected and VIP guests who have attended MWD trips with Western in the past)

• Interagency Legislative Group support:
• Organize and maintain an archive

• Develop hard copy and electronic and/or web-based clearing house accessible to the Interagency Legislative Group for the following

• catalogue of issues tracked by the Interagency Group – bills, initiatives, commentaries, Alerts, correspondence received, victories/defeats
• Meeting agendas & minutes
• Correspondence (support/opposition letters) from members on a particular issue

• Update and maintain current database for participants
• Take meeting notes/minutes
• Help develop agendas
• Distribute meeting notices & agendas, and alerts/updates as needed
• Provide advance reminder calls to agencies prior to meetings
• Conduct surveys of member agency positions as needed
• Assist in coordination of host agency tours for visiting members of the Interagency Legislative Group
• Schedule and coordinate organized visits of the Interagency Legislative Group to local district offices of regional and state elected
• Provide research support on issues of interest to the Interagency Legislative Group

• Assist in coordination of grant procurement activities and support for Western Grant Team

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
• Gain work experience in career fields; Improve and expand resume
• Real-life application of academic principles
• Establish professional contacts and employment references

WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle or feel standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Employees are frequently required to stand and walk and occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee most often works under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet.

HOW TO APPLY
If you would like to be part of our dynamic team, submit a completed application to: Western Municipal Water District, Human Resources, 450 E. Alessandro Blvd, Riverside, CA 92508, (951) 789-5063. Or complete the process below.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Procedures

Application and Selection Procedures

Submit a completed Application For Employment. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of the completed application form(s).

Selection Procedure: Failure to entirely complete the appropriate application form(s) and to provide information that clearly demonstrates possession of the requirements of the position you are applying for will result in elimination from the evaluation process. There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on review of the Application For Employment. The most qualified candidates may be invited to participate in the selection process that will consist of an individual interview and/or an interview panel and testing. If you feel that you need special testing arrangements due to a medically diagnosed disability, please submit your request in writing at the time you submit the completed application form(s). All other applicants can obtain application materials online at www.wmwd.com, by calling our Job Line at (951) 789-5063, or by applying in person at 450 E. Alessandro Blvd., Riverside, CA 92508.

You may also obtain and/or submit employment application materials via:

FAX to 951.789.5083.

IN PERSON
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM at: 450 E. Alessandro Blvd., Riverside, California

Pre-Employment Requirements

All offers of employment are contingent on a satisfactory background investigation, proof of a good driving record, and successful completion of a District paid physical. Candidates will be required to undergo an extensive background search and in-depth review of experience before continuing on in the process. The background investigation consists of checking criminal and civil court records, checking driver license records, contacting previous employers and business or personal references, and verifying educational degrees and certifications. The final selection process may also involve other methods of evaluation to determine the best overall fit with the District’s current and future needs.

A District paid physical examination may be given, which may include drug and alcohol testing.

Applicants selected for an interview may be required to provide, at their own cost, a current, original California DMV Driver Record Report. In accordance with the United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, you are required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of employment with the District.