This document discusses an intern program at the Western Canal Water District (WCWD). WCWD is a small agency with 12 employees that provides water to 175 growers/landowners in a rural area. To address drought conditions in 2015, WCWD implemented a new water information system with help from an engineering student intern from Chico State University. Since then, WCWD has sought additional interns to improve public outreach, gain experience for students, and reduce costs. Interns have assisted with engineering projects, water operations, social media, and a salmon restoration anniversary. The results have been mixed, highlighting the need to carefully match intern duties and projects to their education, skills, personality, and maturity level.

1. Interns
Trial By Fire
ACWA JPIA HR Regional Meeting
October 18, 2017
Anjanette Shadley
Western Canal Water District

2. Western Canal Water District
WCWD a small office, 175 grower/landowners
Five member Board of Directors
Rural i.e. GPS doesn’t accurately locate us and USPS doesn’t recognize the local
zip code as Nelson, but as either Durham or Richvale (???)
12 Employees
Seven water operators/maintenance and one Ops Managers
Three office staff - Accounting, Admin Asst, Special Projects Manager/HR
One General Manager

3. Intern Program
THE BEGINNING
Special Project
Drought 2015 implemented new “Water Information System” H2O Tech &
Davids Engineering
Hardware and Software
Shared a Chico State University Engineering Student ½ time through Davids
Engineering
Supported implementation of WIS and other special projects
Groundwater monitoring database and reporting

4. Intern 2.0
WCWD Staff and Board objective
Public link to production agriculture is shrinking
Chico State University provided an opportunity for high quality education and
student pool of candidates
Improve visibility with urban neighbors
Look for ways to capitalize on cost vs benefit and helping Intern gain experience for
future employment

5. The INTERNS
1 Brynn (2015-2016)
Engineering Student (Senior)
Hired through Davids
Engineering (DE) on
cost/materials
Supervised through DE
Other WCWD projects
2 #InternBrett1 (2016)
Engineering Student (Senior)
Hired as ½ water operator
and ½ engineering intern
WCWD projects
3 Katerina (2017)
Ag Business Major (Senior)
Hired ¼ water operator and
¾ Special Projects
Focus on Social Media, 20th
Anniversary Salmon
Restoration and Public
outreach

6. RESULTS
1. Contract Intern - Brynn
DE supervision and support for WIS implementation - Right Time/ Right Project
2. ½ - ½ Intern - #InternBrett1
Fit for District needs at the time - water operator and special projects
3. Outreach Intern - Katerina
Matching personality to the job during Intern period; then transitioned to a
permanent WCWD position didn’t quite work out

7. RESULTS
Mixed
Things To Consider
Job Duties
Educational Major
Personality
Maturity

8. CONTACT
Anjanette Shadley
Special Projects Manager / Human Resources
530.342.5083
anjanette@westerncanal.com
WEBCAM: westerncanal.com/wcwd-webcam/
@wcwdwebcam