College/Vet Paid Internship | VVWRA - Electrical/Instrumentation Technician - 100 hours | Spring 2027

Employer: Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority

Duration: 100 hours

Dates: February 16-April 18, 2027, 2 days per week

Location: Victorville, CA
Compensation: Paid Internship

College Credit: If selected, college credit will be available through Victor Valley College.

The Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) is a regional public utility that treats and reclaims wastewater for the Victor Valley community. VVWRA provides hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in environmental services, water technology, and technical careers that help protect local water resources and support sustainable growth.

Program Overview

The Electrical & Instrumentation Technician Internship provides an opportunity for community college, career technical education (CTE) students, and veterans to gain practical experience supporting the electrical and instrumentation systems that power a modern wastewater treatment facility.

Interns will work directly with VVWRA’s E&I team, performing maintenance, calibration, and documentation tasks while immersing themselves in industry-standard safety and operational practices. This is the ideal opportunity for individuals seeking certifications or careers in industrial automation, electrical technology, and process control within a vital public service utility.

Learning Objectives

• Develop foundational skills in troubleshooting, electrical safety, and system maintenance.

• Learn how sensors, meters, and control devices support wastewater treatment operations.

• Understand and assist in monitoring SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) system components.

• Gain exposure to calibration, instrumentation data, and preventive maintenance routines.

• Apply E&I knowledge to ensure continuous, safe, and environmentally compliant plant performance.
  

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Systems Support

• Assist technicians in diagnosing basic electrical issues with motors, pumps, and panels.

• Help conduct routine safety checks and visual inspections of electrical components.

• Participate in cleaning and organizing electrical systems and work areas.

• Learn the principles of Lockout/Tagout and safe energy isolation procedures.
  

Instrumentation & Control Support

• Support calibration of flow meters, pressure transducers, pH sensors, and related devices.

• Observe the operation of SCADA and PLC systems and understand their role in automation.

• Help log instrument readings and maintain calibration records for reporting and analysis.
  

Maintenance & Repair Assistance

• Assist in the replacement of fuses, relays, or basic control components under supervision.

• Maintain organization of electrical tools, wiring, and test equipment.

• Document maintenance activities and equipment status in the computerized maintenance system.
  

Systems Monitoring & Documentation

• Observe system dashboards and learn to identify alarms, trends, and abnormal readings.

• Support the preparation of reports and system logs for operational use.

• Update wiring diagrams, instrument lists, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Help prepare or revise basic training materials for E&I staff.
  

Project Support & Research

• Participate in small-scale projects such as control panel upgrades or instrumentation installs.

• Conduct supervised research on new tools, sensors, or best practices in electrical and control technology.

• Assist in preparing visuals or summaries for project briefings and team meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Enrollment in or completion of a community college or CTE program related to:

  • Electrical Technology

  • Instrumentation & Control Systems

  • Industrial Maintenance or Automation

  • Mechatronics or Process Technology

• OR a veteran with experience in electrical, mechanical, or systems maintenance fields.

• Basic familiarity with hand tools, multimeters, or industrial control devices.

• Attention to detail, safety awareness, and ability to follow technical instructions.

• Valid driver’s license preferred.

Work Environment

Interns will gain exposure to both shop and field environments, including work around pumps, motors, and instrumentation systems within an active treatment facility. Work may involve standing, walking, light lifting, and occasional outdoor tasks. All activities are supervised and follow strict electrical and confined space safety protocols.