Applications are due by Monday, November 16, 2026, 8:00 AM Pacific
Download the full job announcement
About the internship
Gain experience in energy and environmental policy through a paid Spring 2027 internship with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Open to Cal Poly Humboldt undergraduate and graduate students, this internship offers an inside look at how a state agency serves the public through opportunities to contribute to projects, collaborate with CPUC staff, and learn how research and analysis inform policy and regulatory decisions.
The internship is offered through a partnership with the Schatz Energy Research Center and supported by CPUC funding. It is expected to begin on or near January 13, 2027, and continue through the spring semester, with a possible extension into summer. The position offers up to 20 hours of work per week.
Eligible applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing and enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt during both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Applicants should demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for energy and environmental policy.
Who we are
Schatz Center
Since 1989, the Schatz Center has been a leader in applied research and project development for clean and renewable energy. Our current portfolio includes microgrid development, sustainable transportation design, carbon life cycle analysis, solar product testing, offshore wind feasibility studies, and planning and policy for clean energy access around the globe.
As residents of a rural coastal community, we are keenly aware of our social and environmental responsibilities. We are committed to increasing energy access and resilience for communities worldwide — and do so through clean and renewable design that reduces climate change and restores environmental and human health.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
The CPUC’s Energy Division develops and administers energy policy and programs to serve the public interest, advise the Commission, and ensure compliance with the Commission’s decisions and statutory mandates. The Energy Division provides objective and expert analyses that promote reliable, safe, and environmentally sound energy services at the lowest reasonable rates for the people of California.
The Energy Division provides technical support to the Commissioners and their offices, and the Administrative Law Judges. The Energy Division drafts resolutions for formal consideration by the Commission. Resolutions generally result from informal utility requests called Advice Letters, which are submitted by utilities to request rate and tariff adjustments.
The Energy Division, through its Federal Policy and Ratemaking Section, represents the Commission in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and court proceedings.
The Energy Division assists the Commission in its regulation of four types of Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs): Electric, Natural Gas, Steam and Petroleum Pipeline Companies. Commission-approved tariffs (official rates and terms of service) for these four types of IOUs are maintained by the Energy Division.
What you will do
The intern will work directly under the supervision of the CPUC’s Infrastructure Planning & CEQA team, which provides the primary learning experience and project direction. The intern will offer project support while gaining exposure to the inner workings of the agency. Responsibilities include assisting with records retention, workshops, career fairs, travel, training, recruitment, and more. The intern will be assigned a specific project with a deliverable due at the end of the internship, such as a report or white paper, focused on the California Environmental Quality Act and CPUC regulatory processes used to site infrastructure projects, with the goal of providing solutions for expediting cases. The intern will also support public workshops and meetings, including providing logistical and technical support, acting as a liaison for workshop set-up needs, coordinating with staff, managers, and the Information Technology (IT) Division, attending workshops as necessary, monitoring public comments, and working with the workshop coordinator to ensure all parties have access to forums.
What you can expect to learn
This internship offers an inside look at working in a state agency and supporting California’s energy and environmental goals. Through supervised project work, you will learn how CPUC staff use research, data, and public input to inform regulatory decisions, carry out legislative requirements, and collaborate with utilities and other stakeholders. Depending on your assignment, you may gain experience analyzing information, reviewing policy materials, supporting public workshops, and preparing project deliverables while strengthening your research, communication, and project organization skills and exploring careers in public service.
Minimum qualifications
Education and experience
- Undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing and enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt during both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
- Coursework or other relevant experience in environmental science and management, environmental studies, land use planning, or a related field.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Interest and enthusiasm for energy, climate change, and environmental policy.
- Proficiency in MS Office (MS Excel and MS PowerPoint, in particular).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work.
Schedule and work arrangement
The intern is expected to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester. The project team you will be working with is based at CPUC offices outside of Humboldt County and your work with them will primarily be remote. You may work from the Schatz offices. This internship offers flexible workdays and hours coordinated with CPUC’s regular business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Pacific.. The final work schedule will be determined with your CPUC supervisor.
Compensation and internship duration
Interns will be paid an hourly rate between $17.40-$25.00 depending on experience, plus up to $5,000 in tuition and fee support, travel and/or professional development. Students may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. The internship is expected to start on or near January 13, 2027. There is potential for the internship to continue into the summer.
Note: Tuition and fee support depends on other financial assistance you may receive or be eligible for. We recommend contacting Student Financial Services for guidance.
How to apply
Deadline
All application materials must be received by Monday, November 16, 2026, 8:00 AM Pacific
Materials
Please apply via the Google Form: https://forms.gle/scv9V4MEkGJ5hXjF6
The form will ask you to provide your contact information, indicate how you learned about the vacancy, and upload the following application materials:
- Formal letter of application / cover letter: A formal letter of application addressed to the Schatz and CPUC Hiring Committee that includes the following:
- Describe your background and what motivates you to apply.
- Describe your experience related to the qualifications above, including examples of work, projects, research, and/or college or university coursework.
Note: Your cover letter will be used as a writing sample to assess the quality of your writing.
- Resume: A resume of 3 pages or fewer is preferred; however, we encourage you to include all relevant and transferable experience, skills, and coursework you wish us to consider.
Additional materials may be required from candidates invited to interview.
What counts as relevant experience?
You may demonstrate your qualifications through any combination of the following.
- Paid employment and internships.
- Volunteer service and community engagement.
- Leadership or participation in clubs, student organizations, or other extracurriculars.
- Independent or course-based projects, research, or fieldwork.
- Relevant college or university coursework successfully completed or in progress.
Questions, accommodations, and assistance
Learn more about our employment opportunities at schatzcenter.org/jobs.
For additional information about this opportunity, please email schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-4345
For assistance with the application process, please submit an Accommodation Request Form or contact the campus ADA Coordinator at (707) 826-4678 or ada@humboldt.edu.
For more information regarding accommodation, you may also visit the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Disability Resource Center.
Individuals in need of a telecommunications relay service may contact the California Relay Service at (877) 735-2929 TTY.