Student Intern (Environmental Laboratory - Microbiology)

Salary: $21.00 - $24.00 Hourly
Location : Plant 1 - 10844 Ellis Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 721
Department: Environmental Services
Division: Laboratory, Monitoring & Compl
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 6/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


Description


What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we'd love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect
We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.


Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving
We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.


Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability
We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.


Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning
We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.


Safety
We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.


OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Student Intern (Environmental Laboratory - Microbiology) .

Under close supervision, the selected candidate will perform a variety of duties throughout the Laboratory within the General Chemistry, Microbiology, and Sampling section.

Specifically, duties will be mainly to support microbiology including our regional monitoring program where water and shellfish samples from beaches and rivers are analyzed by both culture-based and DNA/RNA-based technology for fecal indicator bacteria, genetic fecal markers, and pathogens. Duties may include assisting with membrane filtration, IDEXX set up, plate incubation, collecting and recording QA/QC data, cleaning glassware, preparing reagents, receiving, and logging samples, molecular lab upkeep, performing culture-based or DNA/RNA-based analysis of environmental samples (water filter and/or shellfish tissues samples), and working with analytical data. Other duties may include preparation and extraction of wastewater, shellfish using total nucleic acid spin columns or automated DNA/RNA extractor, sample preservation, reagent preparation, collecting, entering, tabulating, and analyzing data, general housekeeping, and performing other duties as required.

The selected candidate may be required to work with environmental, laboratory, or water samples and will have the ability to write clearly and concisely, complete tasks in an organized, accurate manner, show initiative when given assignments, work independently, and follow OC San safety guidelines.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required:

1. High school diploma or equivalent;
2. Full-time college student of at least junior level in good standing in a bachelor's or graduate degree program in a field of study related to the OC San's activities.
3. Valid California Class C Driver's License.

Desired:
The ideal candidate will have the ability to demonstrate and/or have experience in:

• A working knowledge of standard laboratory practices.
• Working knowledge and hands-on experience of basic microbiology and molecular laboratory techniques, including fecal indicator bacteria quantification by culture-based methods, water filtration. Examples include DNA/RNA extraction using spin columns or automated extractors, PCR, quantitative PCR or digital PCR; data compilation and analysis in Excel and/or statistical software such as R, as well as general housekeeping and laboratory safety.
• Completion of some molecular microbiology/biology or genetics courses, including lab courses.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Eligibility:

• Undergraduate and graduate students must be enrolled full-time at a college or university, be in good standing, and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better to be eligible for a paid internship with OC San.
• Majoring in microbiology, molecular microbiology, biology, genetics, or a related field.
• Only students who have at least one year of school remaining will be considered.
• Verification of enrollment from the registrar's office indicating "student in good standing" prior to employment with OC San.
• Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from a professor, previous employer or internship supervisor as part of their application.

Work Schedule:
This internship will run concurrently with school and will require a minimum of 15 hours of work on-site each week (and up to 20 hours a week) typically during Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. but may require flexing as needed. OC San will also allow flexibility during final exam periods.

Recruitment & Selection Process
Vacancies: 1

Apply online at:
APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 5:00 PM PST.

Application Process:
In order to receive full consideration for an internship with OC San, applicants are required to attach the following documents to their online application:

1. Verification of enrollment from the school, indicating full-time enrollment
2. Letter of recommendation from a professor, previous employer or internship supervisor

Compensation: Undergraduate Student: $21.00/Hour
Graduate Student: $24.00/Hour

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting or laboratory, if applicable, and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.


Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office or laboratory, if applicable, environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.


Other information
For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website.


Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.


False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.


To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San's pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.


Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.


The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
Interns are not considered regular employees, and therefore are not eligible for benefits or holiday pay.
01


PLEASE READ. The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with your job application to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected. Do not submit a resume in place of completing these Supplemental Questions. Education obtained outside the United States must be comparable to education earned at an accredited school in the United States. We reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript. Any information you submit may be verified. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected. I also understand that I may not submit a resume in lieu of filling out the job application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

• Yes, I understand.

02


To be eligible for an internship with OC San, you must attach the documents listed below to your online application. Failure to submit these documents may disqualify you from further consideration.
1) Verification of enrollment from the school, indicating full-time enrollment
2) Letter of recommendation from a professor, previous employer, or internship supervisor. Click on the button below to acknowledge that you have read and understand this information.

• Yes, I understand.

03


This internship requires full-time enrollment in an accredited college or university. Are you currently enrolled as a full-time student?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have at least one (academic) year of school remaining?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you at a junior level or higher this fall semester?

• Yes
• No

06


Please indicate your current year in school.

• Freshman
• Sophomore
• Junior
• Senior
• 1st Year Graduate Student
• 2nd Year Graduate Student
• Not currently attending a college or university

07


Please indicate your expected graduation date (month and year) in the space provided.
08


Are you (or will you be) majoring in molecular microbiology, microbiology, biology, genetics, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

09


Which field of science best describes your emphasis in education?

• Biology
• Environmental Science
• Microbiology/Molecular Biology
• Other science major
• I am not a science major

10


Please indicate the major(s) (and minor if applicable) you are pursuing as part of your education in the space provided below.
11


Can you commit to working on site at our Fountain Valley, CA laboratory for 15 - 20 hours per week?

• Yes
• No

12


This internship is year-round (not a seasonal internship). The duration of this internship is 12 months. Can you commit to working the entire internship (12 months) continuously?

• Yes
• No

13


Do you have a working knowledge of membrane filtration to concentrate microbes, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, and/or digital PCR?

• Yes
• No

14


Please briefly describe your experience with laboratory procedures related to water filtration, microbial DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, and/or digital PCR. If none, input "N/A."
15


Please describe why you are interested in this internship. What are your career goals and how will this internship help you achieve those goals?
16


Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver's license by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question