Ventura County Environmental Health Division - College Internship Program
Purpose and Objective
The purpose of the internship training program is to provide the student intern/s an overview of all the Environmental Health (EH) programs and hands-on field work with the guidance of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). The training will enable the students to identify which programs they are interested in, which may help them decide which career path to pursue.
Announcement
The internship announcement will be sent to the University Internship Coordinator before the school interim begins. The standard announcement will describe the duties, qualifications, benefits, and other information pertaining to the internship.
Selection
The student must submit a resume with references, a schedule of student courses, and a cover letter prior to the provided deadline for evaluation. The selection will be based on the students’ commitment to the given time schedule, resume and a phone interview.
If selected, the student must provide a copy of a driver’s license and social security card to the Human Resources Department, which are necessary for a background check. It includes inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record.
The student will then be notified for eligibility. Two to Three students may be selected during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. Once eligible, the EH Internship Coordinator will contact the University Internship Coordinator to finalize the selection.
Intern Responsibility
An Intern’s responsibility is to perform in a professional and ethical manner consistent with the EH Standards. The intern’s evaluation will be based on these expectations:
- The intern shall follow through on commitments.
- The intern is encouraged to communicate with the Internship Coordinator of any questions, potential problems, or areas of concern during the internship period.
- The intern shall dress in an appropriate manner in business casual attire with sturdy, close-toed shoes.
- Interns are required to adhere to their working schedule and arrive punctually. In the event of possible tardiness or absence, interns must call and/or e-mail the Intern Coordinator and/or Supervisor to notify their late arrival or absence.
- The intern must abide to the employee technology use policy.
- The intern must learn to accept constructive criticism and strive to improve and grow professionally.
- The intern must learn to be observant, note how employees organize their ideas, and ask questions relating to the EH program.
- The intern must be fair, considerate, honest, trustworthy, and cooperative when interacting with colleagues.
- The intern must finish the entirety of the internship to receive course credit.
Examples of Duties
- Researches, compiles, synthesizes, analyzes, and interprets information and data necessary to meet EH objectives.
- Prepares reports and makes recommendations for completion of environmental health projects.
- Observe an environmental health specialist when conducting field inspections and investigations at a variety of sites to gain first-hand knowledge from various EH programs.
- Complete educational outreach public displays pertaining to EH for public viewing.
- Provide three Environmental Health-related articles to share with EH staff weekly.
Program Orientations and Field Time
The interns will receive training in all EH programs in Ventura County. These trainings will consist of in-office program orientations and student interns will also get field time involving job shadowing EH staff performing their daily inspection activities.
Contact Us
Matthew Madison
Program Coordinator
Matthew.Madison@ventura.org
(805) 662-6511
