Student Intern

Job Description

About the Job: Silicon Valley Power Internships

The City of Santa Clara’s Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is seeking motivated individuals for various internship opportunities within its Electric Department. SVP has been a cornerstone of electricity provision for Santa Clara residents and businesses since 1896. With a staff of 198, the department manages a wide array of services including electric service operation, maintenance, dispatch, engineering, system planning, financial management, marketing, customer services, power trading, outdoor Wi-Fi, and dark fiber leasing.

This job posting is continuously updated with new internship opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check back for new roles. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions across different divisions or departments.

Internship Roles Available:

Customer Engagement Intern II

This role focuses on supporting SVP’s Customer Engagement Program through administrative tasks, research, and community outreach.

• Support SVP Customer Engagement Program administrative duties as assigned.
• Research and report out on a variety of topics as assigned.
• Attend Customer Engagement related events in the community to promote SVP’s customer programs.
• Track existing customer program efforts.
• Participate in internal planning meetings and customer working groups.

Educational Outreach Intern II/III

This position involves educating the community on energy-related topics and assisting with various customer programs.

• Assist with educational outreach on energy efficiency, renewable energy, building electrification, transportation electrification, and financial assistance programs.
• Participate in community events.
• Work with high school students on student grant program.
• Assist with after school energy education program with Santa Clara Unified School District.
• Target outreach to income-qualified customers to increase enrollment in Financial Rate Assistance Program.
• In-person outreach to property management companies regarding programs that will benefit Santa Clara residents in multifamily housing.
• Prepare and deliver public presentations to school-age children and adults on a variety of topics related to energy efficiency, electrification and renewable energy.
• Assist with rebate application processing and investigate high bill complaints.
• Research on various energy-related topics.
• Assist with data analysis to identify target markets for increasing customer program participation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required for Customer Engagement & Educational Outreach:

• Knowledge of Microsoft suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Good communication skills.
• A valid driver’s license.

System Support Intern II/III

A proactive self-starter is sought to provide hands-on desktop technical support, troubleshoot systems, and learn new skills in a practical IT environment.

• Help with the imaging and deployment of desktops, laptops, and mobile devices (Windows, iOS, etc.).
• Provide level 1 technical support for end-user devices, software, and peripherals.
• Assist in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues related to computers, printers, and other office devices.
• Assist in managing software updates, patches, and system backups.
• Provide remote and on-site support to employees for IT-related issues.
• Maintain accurate documentation of support requests, resolutions, and system configurations.
• Work on special projects to help improve the System Support Group Operations.
• Collaborate with the IT team to perform regular hardware and software inventory checks.
• Monitor the performance and security of desktops, and suggest improvements as needed.
• Learn and apply best practices for IT security and troubleshooting.

Education and Skills for System Support Intern:

• Education: Currently pursuing or recently graduated with a certificate, or degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
• Knowledge And Skills:
  • Basic knowledge of desktop and mobile device operating systems (Windows, iOS) and familiarity with common office software (Microsoft Office, Adobe).
  • Strong troubleshooting skills with an ability to work with both hardware and software issues.
  • Knowledge of networking basics (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs) is a plus.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-focused attitude.
  • Ability to work in a team environment and independently when required.
  • Enthusiasm and drive to learn and improve technical knowledge.
  • Prior internship or experience in IT support is a plus but not required.

Operations, System Expansion, or Asset Management Intern II/III

These interns will directly support engineering activities within SVP’s Electric Engineering Department, assisting with various electric Capital Improvement Projects through different stages from data gathering to close-out.

• Assist with ACAD electrical drawing changes.
• Assist with Electrical Sub-station Equipment maintenance.
• Assistance with research and creation of standards and specifications.
• Organize file folders and project directories.
• Assist in review of Public Works specifications and bids.
• Conduct Field measurements, assist with utility design activities, and update record drawings.
• Assist in the review of plans and specifications for compliance with City rules and regulations and City engineering standards.
• Provide support for engineering projects including filing and data entry.
• Assist with digitizing engineering documents and records.
• Research past projects to create historical cost sheets for further cost estimates.
• Assist in close out portion of projects to cleanup files for archiving.
• Assist with electrical load research.
• Assist with renewable power records and mapping.
• Attend project design and construction meetings and create meeting minutes.
• Prepare meeting agendas.
• Track procurement efforts for owner procured materials as well as drawing deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.

Compliance Intern II/III

Interns in this role will support Electric Program Managers in SVP’s Electric Compliance Division, working on projects that support various regulatory Environmental, Health, and Safety programs.

Safety Responsibilities:

• Safety Audits & Inspections: Assist the Electric Program Manager (EPM) of Safety & Compliance with conducting safety audits and inspections for compliance and hazards.
• Training Support: Assist EPM Safety & Compliance with developing and delivering safety training materials.
• Data & Compliance: Collecting, analyzing, and reporting safety data, incident trends, and compliance metrics.
• Hazard Management: Participating in risk assessments, identifying hazards, and helping implement controls.
• Program Development: Assisting EPM Safety & Compliance with the review, updating and creating health and safety programs.
• Staff Support: Working with SVP staff to ensure compliance requirements are met.
• Other duties as assigned.

Environmental Responsibilities:

• Assist EPM of Environmental Compliance with tasks including, but not limited to:
  • Routine audits and inspections.
  • Drafting reports, memorandums, guidesheets, and presentations.
  • Reviewing analytical data and updating logs.
  • Filing regulatory documents and reports per recordkeeping requirements.

Required for Compliance Intern:

• Knowledge of Microsoft suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Good communication skills.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Enrolled in a relevant Environmental, Health, and Safety or similar major.

Transmission & Distribution Intern II/III

This division is responsible for maintaining and constructing SVP’s electric network, which includes over 580 miles of overhead and underground circuits. Interns will support ongoing process overhauls for asset management, system inspections, and work management.

• Support with general implementation of SVP initiatives such as ARCOS.
• Provide assistance with data entry and quality assurance (QA) tasks, including work order QA and reconciliation of various operational databases to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Help maintain asset inventories, track equipment condition and location.
• Assist with other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications for Transmission & Distribution Intern:

• Proficient in Excel.

Desired Qualifications for Transmission & Distribution Intern:

• GIS user a plus.
• Preferred knowledge in electrical theory.

General Employment Information

As an “as-needed” employee, this is an “at-will” position with no guarantee of hours. Hours are limited to 999 in a fiscal year, or 960 hours in a fiscal year for retired CalPERS annuitants.

Application Requirements:

To receive consideration, candidates must submit a complete application packet. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications must be filled out completely (e.g., do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file”).

Your application packet must include:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Proof of enrollment (e.g., unofficial transcript, current class schedule)

Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov.

This position is continuous or open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Student Intern I: Current enrollment in a high school or an alternative vocational high-school working toward high school equivalency with the minimum completion of the 10th grade.
• Student Intern II: Current enrollment in an accredited college or university in an undergraduate program.
• Student Intern III: Current enrollment in an accredited college or university for completion of a Master’s degree.

Minimum Experience Requirements: None.

Acceptable Substitution: None.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admittance into the examination process. Only the most qualified candidates who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will be invited to test or interview.

Further details on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities can be found in the Class Specifications for Student Intern I, Student Intern II, and Student Intern III.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.