Job Description

Apply by Date: 04/10/2026
Hourly Minimum Pay Rate: $20.31 / hour
Hourly Maximum Pay Rate: $24.74 / hour

The SMUD Benefits team is an essential part of the human resources department due to our teams focus on providing benefits that enable our employees to take care of their personal lives, so that they can be successful in their professional lives. As part of the HR department, the Benefits team plays a critical role in attracting and retaining top talent by offering competitive benefit options that meet the needs of employees. In this role, you will work closely with other HR professionals to design, implement, and manage benefit plans with a focus on CalPERS administration, that support the overall goals of the organization and promote employee well-being.

About the Benefits Intern Position:

• Assist in the administration of employee retirement and pension plans
• Help with the enrollment and termination processes for employee benefit plans in CalPERS
• Assist with auditing, tracking, and reporting employee benefit eligibility and enrollment data for accuracy.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefit plans, coverage, and eligibility
• Assist with the development of CalPERS communications materials, such as flyers, emails, and presentations
• Help with compliance and regulatory requirements related to CalPERS benefits 
• Compile and prepare technical and or statistical reports
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally
• Read and understand complex and or technical data
• Other related duties and special projects as assigned.

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 who perform research and analytical tasks for confidential projects and assignments that utilize specific and acquired academic skills and knowledge in non-engineering subjects and disciplines.

Nature and Scope

The work performed in this confidential classification calls for regular application of analytical and independent research skills. This work is distinguished from students engaged in repetitive and easily learned tasks who are employed in the Office Assistant (clerical/technical) classification. Incumbents in the Engineering Student Assistant classification perform at a similar level but are restricted to students majoring in an Engineering curriculum and performing tasks that employ acquired mathematical and science knowledge.

Duties and Responsibilities

Work may include, but is not limited to, the following: (NOTE: While in general all the functions and requirements listed are essential, individual positions and/or locations may not require all duties be performed.)

• Performs confidential tasks of an analytical or research nature for suitable projects or ongoing assignments which call for specific acquired academic skills and knowledge.
• May locate sources of information; collects and organizes data.
• Makes computations and analyzes confidential 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, graphic 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 a resident academic institution in a declared curriculum that will provide the specific skills and knowledge that will contribute to available work assignments.

Desirable Qualifications

• Majoring in Accounting, Math
• Data Analytics background
• MS Excel experience
• Reporting software experience
• Strong communication (verbal & written)
• Highly organized

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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.

Official SMUD Title: Student Staff Assistant Confidential

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.