JOB. From CalCareers for the California Natural Resources Agency, February 2026.
Application Deadline: Thursday, March 5th, 2026.

The reporting location for this position is Sacramento, CA. This position will work under the close supervision of the OPC Deputy Director.

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is hiring Student Assistants for its 2026 Summer Internship Program (Program). The purpose of the Program is to provide undergraduate college students with an opportunity to gain hands-on-experience with a small State agency focused on protecting and enhancing the state’s coastal and ocean ecosystems and ensuring easy, affordable access to and along the coast for all Californians.

OPC values diversity and equity at all levels of the agency and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from all backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcome and can thrive. As such, OPC encourages applications from individuals from a broad range of identities and experiences. It includes those who have overcome personal hardship or other barriers that may complicate their continued progress in research careers, including financial, academic, and social barriers. 

The Program will provide students the experience to learn and build a foundational background and robust overview of California’s coastal and ocean science, policy, and management work. Interns will participate in projects that directly affect and shape California’s coast, coastal waters, and communities. They will be immersed in a wide variety of coastal and marine science and policy issues, including increasing community engagement and benefits from OPC-funded research and projects, and acquire knowledge from experienced staff and mentors. Additionally, interns will have opportunities to participate in multi-stakeholder events and public meetings. OPC staff and/or mentors may provide support and assistance for effective resume-writing and interviewing tips. All Interns will work on projects and efforts related to advancing OPC’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan: Safeguarding Our Coast and Ocean for all Californians.

The OPC Summer Internship is a 10-week, full-time paid internship that includes experiential learning, multidisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to work with multiple stakeholders. This internship experience will give students opportunities to be actively engaged in acquiring skills, increasing knowledge, and being exposed to what careers in ocean and coastal research and management can entail. Students may be eligible to receive credit toward college internship requirements based on their university’s criteria.

Up to four interns will be hired for a 10-week internship to take place between May and September 2026, depending on their university’s academic calendar. The internship can be fully remote, with opportunity to work from the Sacramento office at least once during the summer. The successful candidate(s) will be hired as a Student Assistant and salary will be consistent with the range defined in that classification and determined on academic and work experience by state human resources staff. This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position.

Interns are expected to work full time, 40 hours a week (maximum) for 10 weeks. Interns may work as little as 30 hours per week if they have demonstrated school or work conflicts. Flexibility for school and/or work commitments will be taken into consideration when determining a start date and work schedule.  

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended. 

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

STUDENT ASSISTANT
$3,167.00 – $3,480.00 A
$3,389.00 – $3,724.00 B
$3,623.00 – $3,988.00 C
$3,878.00 – $4,268.00 D

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) is a state cabinet-level agency in the government of California. Through its 40 departments, conservancies, boards, commissions, councils, and museums, the California Natural Resources Agency is responsible for protecting historical, natural, and cultural sites, monitoring and controlling state lands and waterways, and regulating fish and game use.

The current Secretary for the California Natural Resources is Wade Crowfoot and he serves as a member of Governor Gavin Newsom’s cabinet. As Secretary, Crowfoot oversees an agency of over 25,000 employees charged with protecting and managing California’s diverse resources.

Mission statement: To restore, protect and manage the state’s natural, historical and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration and respect for all the communities and interests involved.