Title: GIS Intern - Year round
Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824
Apply by Date: 10/29/2026
Hourly Minimum Pay Rate: $24.58 / hour
Hourly Maximum Pay Rate: $29.95 / hour
We are seeking a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Intern to support the GIS team within the Energy Delivery & Operations division at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). This position offers a valuable opportunity to gain professional experience in a highly technical environment while contributing to projects that are essential to the operational services for the various business units at SMUD.
The GIS Intern will work under the direction of experienced GIS professionals and will assist with a variety of tasks, including data creation, data editing, documentation, and map creation. This internship is well-suited for junior and senior students who are pursuing a career in GIS and are interested in applying their academic background to practical, real-world applications within the utility industry. This position with create and edit GIS data in both ArcGIS Pro and Octave Networks Core.
About SMUD's College Internship Program
SMUD's College Internship Program provides college interns with an opportunity to contribute their skills and knowledge to SMUD while gaining valuable work experience. Workshops and activities will also be part of the program where interns will have the opportunity to be immersed in SMUD's culture and learn leadership skills as well as develop their professional skills.
SMUD was also recognized by Interns 2 Pros for the 2020 Internship Program of The Year Award in recognition of excellence in internship strategy, implementation, and impact and was one of five finalists for the 2023 Internship Program of the Year from Interns 2 Pros along with Paramount, Fox Corporation, Intuit, and Toyota.
Purpose
Under staff direction, incumbents in this classification are full-time students in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math program who perform research and analytical tasks for projects and assignments that utilize specific and acquired academic skills and knowledge in alignment with their educational disciplines.
Nature and Scope
The work performed in this classification calls for regular application of analytical and independent research skills. Work is closely related to the employee’s academic major in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs tasks of an analytical or research nature for suitable projects or ongoing assignments which call for specific acquired academic skills and knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math.
- May locate sources of information; collect and organize data.
- Makes computations and analyzes data for degree of confidence and for alternative courses of action.
- May develop computer programs relating to assignments and may code material for established programs.
- May develop written, graphical and/or oral reports.
- May assist staff analysts and technical personnel by performing elements of their work under close supervision.
Required Education
Registration as a full-time student (minimum of 12 units) at an accredited college or university in a declared curriculum with a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) emphasis that will provide the specific skills and knowledge that will contribute to available work assignments.
Desirable Qualifications
Major: Geography degree with Geographic Information System emphasis or Computer Science, Information Technology, Urban Planning, or related degrees
Grade level: Junior or Senior standing
Skills: Applied GIS and GIS Data Acquisition and Management, ArcGIS Pro
Physical Requirements
Application Deadline: It is guaranteed that the online system will accept applications until 5 PM on the apply by date. It is highly encouraged that applications are submitted well before the due date and time mentioned to make sure that it is submitted successfully.
Internship Program Requirements:
- Students must be able to commute to the SMUD Offices in Sacramento, CA when requested to come in.
- To have a student position at SMUD, you must not have any relatives working at SMUD.
- Students must be enrolled and maintain enrollment as a full-time student, complete and pass at least 12 undergraduate units OR 8 graduate units, and receive at least a 2.0 GPA the semester/quarter prior to employment and for the duration of the internship. SMUD does not look at cumulative GPAs.
- During the summer, students can work up to 130 hours per month.
- Currently, SMUD is not hiring candidates for its student internship positions who require sponsorship from an employer either now or in the future. Such sponsorship is not needed for citizens, a U.S. National, a permanent resident, or one granted refuge or asylum status by the U.S. government. Visa holders typically require sponsorship in one form or another at some point in time.
- Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are a part of who we are and how we do things. Supporting efforts that promote pay equality is part of that. Salary placement for the selected candidate will be determined in alignment with the California Equal Pay Act or the applicable MOU. Determination for salary placement of internal candidates will be made without respect to current classification or compensation and will be based upon the candidate's qualifications as compared to those performing substantially similar work. In the event there is a guaranteed pay progression outlined in an applicable MOU, the MOU takes precedence.