2025 Summer Analyst Position (Undergraduate)
Position Summary
This project-focused internship offers experience in water market transactions and finance, ideal for recent graduates or students graduating in 2025 or 2026 with degrees in agricultural and resource economics, economics, finance, or business administration. Applicants should have an interest in water trading, investments, and risk management, particularly those with backgrounds in agriculture or water management. The three-month internship provides exposure to water resource valuation, financial consulting, and market transaction advisement while working with industry experts. WestWater often hires interns for full-time roles post-graduation.
Who We Are
WestWater Research is the leading water market advisory firm that assists clients throughout the United States on water asset transactions, valuation analysis, and financial structuring. Over the past 20+ years, WestWater has become the leading market intelligence and pricing information provider. Our Waterlitix database is now powering Nasdaq’s NQH2O California Water Price Index, the first of its kind. In addition, WestWater is the primary source of deal flow and investment opportunities for capital markets. We offer clients a national practice through a local presence. With offices located in five major water trading regions in the western United States, our team has over fifty years of experience in the water sector, specializing in a variety of water-focused services, including water marketing, regulatory policy, water valuation techniques, financial investments, commodity trading, resource economics and planning. WestWater maintains a comprehensive database of water right transactions in the Western US to assist in water right appraisals. Learn more on our LinkedIn Page.
What You Do
Position Description
Summer analysts will spend approximately three months in one of WestWater’s offices in Phoenix, Fort Collins, or Sacramento. During the position term, analysts will be conducting individual research projects and supporting other client efforts. The selection of the research project topic will be based on the chosen candidate’s interests and research priorities within WestWater’s consulting practice. The analysts will have the opportunity to work and contribute to client-related projects and participate in client meetings and engagements. Projects can be a topic proposed by the applicant or may also include a subject that contributes to one of WestWater’s ongoing client consulting projects. This year’s research priorities include, but are not limited to:
- Water allocation and trading platforms for groundwater management.
- Development of a geospatial water supply cost database for agricultural areas served by public agency water providers.
- Impact investment strategies and environmental water trading.
- Research and analysis on the municipal and private bond markets and how they respond to different water supply risks.
- Agricultural demand management programs in the Western US.
- Tribal water rights
- Buying and selling land
The summer analyst will collaborate with WestWater staff and work under the supervision of a senior manager who will serve as a project mentor. Summer analysts are required to present two internal workshops to outline and report the findings of their research project. The summer analyst will also be responsible for preparing a written report that summarizes all findings, supporting data, and recommendations. A typical project includes the following tasks:
- Data analysis and organization
- Financial and/or economic modeling and forecasting
- Summarizing key findings concisely in an executive report in a presentation format
- Writing and summarizing findings in an extended report format
What You Have
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both written and orally
- Experience and competence in data management and research
- Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques
- Proficiency with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- At minimum: Completed undergraduate level courses in Agricultural or Resource Economics, Management, Economics, Finance, Business, Engineering, or related water resource fields, with strong academic performance.
- Interest in water markets and water-related investments
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit:
- Resume
- Cover letter detailing interest in water resource finance, goals, and preferred internship location (please rank your first, second, and third choices among Fort Collins, Phoenix, Sacramento).
Our process will be in a few parts. First, qualified candidates will be asked to create a short presentation (3 slides or fewer) based on a hypothetical prompt in water markets. Selected candidates will then be scheduled for interviews with members of the region’s office.
Please apply through handshake and send any questions to employment@waterexchange.com.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025.
Location and Compensation
- Term: Full time (40 hours/week) three-month internship occurring between June – September, with flexible start and end date.
- Location: Phoenix, Fort Collins, or Sacramento.
- Compensation: $18.75 per hour
- Future Opportunity: Potential for full-time employment and post-internship research scholarship in water marketing.
For questions about the position or application, contact employment@waterexchange.com or any of our offices.