Explore Environmental jobs as a Clean Water Ambassador

March 27, 2026

Emma Seyoung, Former Clean Water Ambassador

Pause for a second and think about how often water plays a role in your day; this vital connection to water not only shapes our lives but also fuels countless environmental jobs dedicated to protecting it, and for good reason.

When you wake up in the morning, you brush your teeth and wash your face with water. It flows down the drain and travels to a wastewater treatment center, where workers recycle it and return it to nature. After the water moves through soil, plants, air currents—and eventually into our reservoirs—it returns to the faucet you use to fill your bottle before you head out for the day. As you travel through life, this intricate system—powered by people and ecosystems—works to keep you and the environment healthy. It takes thousands of skilled and dedicated workers to keep water clean, trees green, and ensure millions have access to this essential ingredient of life. But choosing the right specialization within this intricate field and learning to navigate its professional pool can be difficult without support.

What Is a Clean Water Ambassador?

Clean Water Ambassadors at the Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station learning about GSI (green stormwater infrastructure)

When I became a Clean Water Ambassador (CWA) in the summer of 2025, the program not only paid me to learn about safeguarding our water supply but also gave me the tools and connections I needed to explore careers in the field. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for wastewater work. During the internship, I experienced a sudden realization—I hadn’t fully grasped just how crucial water is in my everyday life. From that point on, the program helped me understand the complexities of these systems and ways communities can help keep this system flowing equitably.

Since 2016, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust has partnered with the King County Wastewater Treatment Division to lead the Clean Water Ambassador program, a paid internship for high school youths (ages 16+) that provides a unique experience about local environmental issues. It educates and empowers young people to explore clean water, the wastewater treatment process, environmental science, and green careers . But let’s be real. That general overview is far too broad to describe what interns experience in the program. In reality, the program does so much more. So, what does it mean to be a Clean Water Ambassador?

Learn about Water and Its Impact With Hands-on Experience

Clean Water Ambassadors kayaked on the Duwamish River, led by RAPP (River Access Paddle Program) to learn about the ecology, cultural history, etc.

Part of your work as a Clean Water Ambassador is to serve as a bridge between clean water programs and the community by educating and raising awareness about various topics. To help interns develop a strong understanding of the subject, the program provides lessons on how watersheds function, where our drinking water comes from, how the wastewater treatment process works, the science behind water quality, the impacts of stormwater runoff, local restoration and conservation efforts, local environmental and social justice issues—and that list only grazes the surface of topics covered during the program.

Interns dive into clean water topics through hands-on workshops and adventurous field trips, kayaking and trekking across stunning sites within the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area—all while learning to become experts in the practices that preserve this remarkable region. Learning how to succinctly and accurately describe complex topics in easily understandable terms is an essential skill used in many environmental jobs, and one that you get to practice a lot during the internship.

Cultivate Job-Ready Skills by Becoming a Clean Water Advocate

After a series of fun field trips and lessons that make interns knowledgeable about clean water issues, they apply what they learn by designing and planning dynamic lessons from scratch. But they don’t do it alone. After my cohort learned how rain gardens work, educators trained us on the best ways to share that knowledge in a way that’s fun and engaging. During the hands-on activity that I helped lead, I used a model landscape to show how plants and soil absorb and filter runoff compared to pavement. There are many opportunities to present on varying topics, including habitat restoration.

Interns also get to lead volunteer events to help young stewards remove non-native blackberry bushes, teaching them both the ecological importance of removal and how to do it safely. Throughout the program, interns translate their knowledge into actions and truly step into their roles as Clean Water Ambassadors. They learn by actively spreading awareness, and in the process, they develop valuable skills like leadership, teamwork, public speaking, and so much more.

Clean Water Ambassadors at the Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station learning about GSI (green stormwater infrastructure)

Gain Real-World Experience in Environmental Jobs

Being a Clean Water Ambassador also opens mentorship opportunities with professionals who share your interests and passions. Throughout the program, interns work with many local agencies and community organizations, gaining direct connections and insights from professionals already working in environmental jobs. These valuable interactions provide a better understanding of how environmental work functions in real life. Moreover, the program encourages interns to explore various career pathways. Each week, they have the opportunity to interview professionals whose work and field interest them.

CWAs at Longfellow Creek with Louisa Keyani from DNDA (Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association). They measured the turbidity and pH of the creek and learned about Louisa’s career path.

Before the program, I had little to no idea of how diverse the environmental field truly was. I was genuinely surprised by the wide range of career paths connected to environmental work. I was especially drawn to engineering and how it operates in the environmental field, and was astonished to learn that engineers could work in the environmental sector. The internship really allowed me to recognize what careers truly look like in the real world. And I learned that environmental work is interconnected with other spheres of work. I realized how amazing it is to work with many great organizations, professionals, and peers, as it not only broadens interns’ perspectives but also opens doors to future opportunities, whether that means another summer program or a long-term career path.

Become a Clean Water Ambassador

Clean Water Ambassadors looking at tardigrades under a microscope at Brightwater Treatment Plant

Becoming a Clean Water Ambassador is not just about learning how wastewater is treated; instead, it is about discovering how environmental work is deeply interconnected with science, community, and humanity. I believe it is more than a summer internship—it is an opportunity for youth to take their first step into environmental and public health careers, all while making a tangible impact on our community.

Whether you are interested in science, community health, or the environment, the Clean Water Ambassador program offers a truly meaningful experience and opens up future opportunities. You don’t need professional experience, a stacked resume, or any prerequisites to be eligible to apply. The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust only requires applicants to be excited about learning how to advocate for and protect water.

Do you want to learn about environmental jobs this summer? As a former Clean Water Ambassador, I strongly encourage anyone curious about the program to learn more and consider applying. Applications open each year in early April, and the program is open to any high school student who is at least 16 years old. Click here to apply!