Wastewater Operator

• This position is open to students enrolled in a Charter School in the High Desert ONLY!
• Location: Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA), 20111 Shay Rd., Victorville

Type: Paid Internship

• Schedule: 100 hours, 2 days per week, September 21 - November 13, 2026
• College credit is available through a Victor Valley College Work Experience course.
• You must be 16 years old for the internship and have Right to Work documents.

About the Internship

Get your boots wet (literally!) with a hands-on internship at VVWRA. This is a unique opportunity to explore the essential work behind clean water and environmental protection. Interns will work alongside seasoned operators and environmental staff, gaining firsthand experience in treatment processes, water sampling, safety practices, and system monitoring.

What You’ll Do

As a Wastewater Operator Intern, you’ll rotate through departments, learning what it takes to keep a wastewater treatment facility running safely and efficiently. You’ll be trained and supervised while participating in:

Field & Lab Experience

• Collecting water and sludge samples alongside the water quality team
• Preparing equipment and logging data for lab testing and compliance reports

Operations Data & System Monitoring

• Compiling logs and inspection data
• Formatting charts and observing how trends impact operations

Routine Maintenance Support

• Preparing checklists for operators
• Shadowing light maintenance like lamp swaps
• Helping keep the workspace organized and safe

Process & Pump System Observation

• Learning how treatment systems work from intake to discharge
• Studying process maps and observing equipment in action

Performance Metrics & System Thinking

• Recording totalizer and sludge blanket data
• Understanding how these measurements influence decisions and compliance

What You’ll Gain

• Exposure to environmental and utility careers
• Experience working with technical teams in a real-world facility
• A deeper understanding of water treatment, compliance, and sustainability
• Supervised mentorship and opportunities to ask questions, reflect, and grow

Qualifications

• Interest in environmental science, engineering, or water systems and working with your hands
• Willingness to work both indoors and outdoors
• Basic computer literacy and strong attention to safety
• Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team
• Ability to obtain a work permit