management analyst

water resources engineer

intern

senior systems analyst

senior maintenance person

Valley Water

I quickly learned government work was mind number and not for me. The procedures truly are years behind everyone else. The physical tech itself is not behind, your equipment is up to date tools used by most businesses I'd assume. Specifically, the procedures on how to complete a task are just from the flintstones eras. 

The summer internship itself felt more like a camp. You do visits and fun activities each Friday, one even involved a game used at the kindergarten level for visitors (so we we're told). I would say 15% of the internship is spent on doing real work, the rest is a lot of activities and sitting around. I suppose that can seem nice for people who just want something nice on they're resume.  

You are well respected there, this company is extremely diverse and everybody is extremely friendly. There is a very laid back 'vibe' in the air. For example, you can over hear someone ask for an assignment to be finished by the end of the day, if it's not- the response is that it's not even a big deal. The assignment will get done maybe 3 weeks later. There is no sense of drive here it seems. 

The bright side, you are paid handsomely for essentially doing nothing, and this company has a nice street value, it helped me land a full time position, so think of it as a stepping position.

Because it is government, don't expect any chance of a full time position after this, there was maybe 4 interns out of the entire bunch through all years who were promoted to a full time position. When I say "promoted", I mean that there was luckily an entry level position opened at the time of someone's internship ending, and they we're referred and luckily interviewed well. 

In summary, you do almost no work, you have almost no chance of a job after, your practically treated like a child, but your paid extremely well and all of your colleagues are very nice and respect you. You just might do zero work, I knew someone who didn't even have one interaction with they're supervisor through the entire summer because they went on vacation. The person did almost nothing for an entire summer, but made a killing sitting there and luckily almost used this place for a new position right after the summer. 

If you like the slow paced things in life, you'll fit right in. If your looking to turn this internship into a full time job because you see everyone being paid so well, then this is a reality check. I'd rate my time here as a 3/5, never had poor run ins with people, but with the culture, the lack of drive and with how slow paced procedures are on top of having no chance at a job at the end of the summer- the place just wasn't for me. 

•	Performed a variety of technical and administrative functions including recruitment of direct hire, interim and temporary employees
•	Plan, prepare and conduct recruitment programs, including preparation of job announcements, outreach to schools, minority publications, internet and professional organizations
•	Conduct job fairs and recruitment events
•	Develop, prepare and administer new and improved assessment techniques including oral, written, performance and other selection tools
•	Research, compile, analyze and report information to hiring managers in the areas
•	of candidate selection
•	Superior customer service to internal and external job applicants and hiring Managers
•	Able to quickly establish relationships at all levels

I work with dedicated staff who care about the work they perform.  Unfortunately there is sometimes a disconnect between what the field workers do and what upper management understands about the need for the work we do.  This has led to unfulfilled staffing needs, difficulty accomplishing the goals of the District, and limited potential for career development.  Middle management however, does an excellent job of trying to  provide for our needs as employees, and on a personal level as well.  They understand and respect that family is a priority, and that opportunity within the company is essential for ithe company's growth and productivity, as well as the individual.

SCVWD is a miserable place.  Almost everyone there is very unhappy.  But they all have civil service protection and are overpaid by about 40% so few people ever leave.    Middling engineers who went to SJ State 30 years ago and who do nothing and are lazy make around $200,000 total compensation.  If they joined an engineering consulting firm they would 1) have to actually work for a living; and 2) have that salary cut in HALF.  
The management is at war with the staff and each other.  Almost all are horribly competitive and backbiting, often accusing each other of improprieties.  The Board is made up of very self serving politicians whose main role is to submit applications for reimbursement for jacked up expenses.

Attending meetings, keeping track of action items, for various units, using internal processes and procedures.

While I was there I learned a lot about more about what is involved with the engineering and processes of the Water District.

Management style was consultive

The workplace culture was very diverse.

The hardest part of my job was getting answers at times due to the work cycles.

The most enjoyable part of the job was learning more about Water District, business processes and applications.

My typical day at work is 9-5. I work in the watersheds department on creek rehabilitation projects in the Santa Clara County. I have learned a lot especially about formulating project estimates and writing project specifications. The workplace culture is amazing and the district has a very diverse set of employees from all around the world. The hardest part of the job is writing project specific specifications. The most enjoyable part of the job is doing site visits and taking measurements of creek beds.

I feel very fortunate to work in a professional environment where management treats employees with a great amount of respect.

My boss is very understanding of my commitment to education and allows me to adjust my schedule on short notice if I must prepare for a midterm/final. He understands my priorities and assigns me to a variety of different project to allow my internship to be as well-rounded and educational as possible.

Keep in mind that I worked there as an intern, so I can't say from professional perspective.  My typical day was mostly coding and doing other assignments that my boss assigned me to do.  Cubicle work culture.  In my opinion, I would rather see people work in the open rather than isolate myself in my own cubicle.  I prefer to work in groups.

My most enjoyable part of the job is, well, coding.

This was one of my first internship experience and it was very rewarding. I learned a lot about working in a team, communicating with others, and planning. My coworkers were all hard working, very helpful and answered my questions despite their busy schedules. The hardest part was getting used to the job but that was also the most enjoyable part. It was a rewarding challenge that help me grow.

•	Maximizing the productivity of the project team by installing an effective development environment, establishing programming, design, and other technical standards, training team members, and providing advisory and trouble-shooting support
•	Providing a focal point for all technical issues and initiatives on the project 
•	Make sure that all components of the technical architecture are properly implemented.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Management analyst 5 salaries reported	$143,487 per year
Water resources engineer 17 salaries reported	$156,481 per year
Intern 6 salaries reported	$26.31 per hour
Senior systems analyst 8 salaries reported	$157,154 per year
Senior maintenance person 3 salaries reported	$116,542 per year

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