Environmental & Engineering Intern - Healthy Waters & Flood Resilience

About the Internship

This paid 12-week summer internship is offered at the Living Wage rate of $29.90 per hour, providing practical experience, support, and professional development. The program runs from 23 November 2026 to 19 February 2027. Interns will work on impactful projects that influence Auckland’s environmental future, focusing on the management and enhancement of stormwater infrastructure and natural water systems.

Role Overview

The Healthy Waters & Flood Resilience (HWFR) department seeks enthusiastic interns who are passionate about stormwater management and environmental protection. Collaborating with iwi and local communities, the team aims to secure Auckland’s water systems by ensuring healthy ecosystems and robust stormwater infrastructure.

During the internship, you will gain hands-on experience by working with engineers, scientists, and technical specialists on projects that contribute to stormwater network management and flood resilience across Auckland. Your placement will be aligned with your study background and interests, from engineering roles to environmental science and community-focused projects.

Potential Internship Areas

• Engineering-Focused Opportunities:
  • Asset Management: Assist in reviewing and consolidating asset data, and develop tools for infrastructure maintenance and renewal planning (preferred for Engineering students).
  • Blue Green Networks: Support landscape, engineering, and engagement initiatives including data analysis and site investigations to enhance flood resilience (Engineering or Landscape Architecture students preferred; driver's license preferred).
  • Delivery: Participate in site inspections, cost estimation, contract administration, and physical works procurement, including review of NZS 3910 contracts (Engineering students only).
  • Growth and Development: Collaborate with Regulatory Team to assess stormwater management proposals and engage in site visits and business improvements (Engineering students only; driver's license preferred).
  • Operations: Support operational teams in addressing stormwater network issues while prioritizing safety and customer satisfaction (Engineering students only; driver's license required).
• Environmental Science & Community-Focused Opportunities:
  • Rural Water Quality & Flooding Community Programmes: Assist rural communities to enhance water quality and flood resilience (Agriculture, Horticulture, or Environmental Science students preferred; driver's license required).
  • Urban Community Programmes: Help with funding applications, health and safety planning, data coordination for community projects such as Wai Care (driver’s license required).
  • Wai Ora Strategic Programmes: Support evidence collation, guidance development, and policy initiatives related to stormwater discharge and water reforms.
  • Waterways Planning: Contribute to water-sensitive design projects and manage wetlands, ponds, and rain gardens through data analysis, site assessments, and performance monitoring (good fitness and driver’s license required).
  • Flood Risk: Assist in research, analysis, and tool creation to improve regional flood risk understanding and flood resilience.
• Other Opportunities:
  • Māori Outcomes: Work with the Māori Outcomes team to integrate Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and support Mana Whenua aspirations for water health.
  • Network Compliance: Conduct site assessments for compliance and develop private stormwater device database (driver’s license required).

Candidate Profile

Ideal candidates are eager learners with strong problem-solving abilities and a dedication to environmental stewardship. Collaboration with diverse teams and community engagement skills, including working with iwi, are essential. Applicants should be in their second-to-last year or continuing into a master’s program, studying relevant fields such as Civil or Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science or Management, Agriculture, Horticulture, GIS, Landscape Architecture, or Data Science. Candidates must be eligible to work full-time in New Zealand during the internship period.

Application and Selection Process

• Submit an online application including CV and short questionnaire.
• One-way video interview.
• Formal two-person panel interview, in-person or virtual.
• Pre-employment checks.
• Successful candidates will receive an offer and welcome to the team.

Employer Commitment and Support

Auckland Council actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, acknowledging whakapapa, reo, and tikanga as strengths. The workplace fosters a supportive environment where all employees can thrive, including provisions for virtual interviews and adjustments for accessibility needs during recruitment.