The Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board has created an internship toolkit to help businesses who are looking to host an intern, but not sure where to start.
The toolkit includes operational frameworks, what you need to know about HR and liability, and example job descriptions for various industries. You can also download a PDF version of the toolkit below.
Santa Maria Valley Internship Toolkit
Equipping local businesses across the Santa Maria Valley with operational frameworks, regulatory safeguards, and tailored internship models to cultivate regional talent pipelines.
Explore Sector BlueprintsToolkit Overview
Everything you need to plan, host, and measure a high-ROI internship program.
Legal Safeguards
FLSA Primary Beneficiary Test, Workers' Comp rules, and regulatory parameters.
Program Design
12-week milestone timeline, structured feedback loops, and corporate ROI metrics.
Supporting First-Time Workers
Demystifying workplace etiquette, Task-Criteria-Example framework, and task banks.
Sector Blueprints
Customized models for Agribusiness, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Hospitality.
Job Description Templates
Ready-to-use, customizable position templates for core Santa Maria Valley industries.
Example Evaluations
Reference models for intern mid-term coaching and final exit assessments.
Operational & Legal Safeguards
Navigating FLSA requirements and onboarding protocols safely.
Orientation Checklist
Interactive checklist for supervisor onboarding:
FLSA Primary Beneficiary Test
Unpaid internships must meet strict USDOL guidelines to determine primary beneficiary status:
| Intern Beneficiary (Legal Unpaid) | Employer Beneficiary (Must be Paid) |
|---|---|
| Formal training tailored to student. | Replaces regular employee operations. |
| Accommodates academic calendar. | Driven strictly by business demand. |
| Clear understanding of no job offer. | Used as an uncompensated trial period. |
12-Week Development Timeline
Structuring the program lifecycle for maximum learning and output.
Weeks 1–3: Shadowing & Foundations
Observe standard operations, complete required safety/compliance modules, and learn core software.
Weeks 4–7: Co-Pilot Execution
Execute tasks with manager oversight, draft reports, and participate in structured daily coaching loops.
Weeks 8–12: Autonomy & Capstone
Independent execution of a bounded capstone project, culminating in a formal presentation to leadership.
Supporting First-Time Workers
Demystifying unwritten office rules and providing psychological safety.
Actionable Directive Framework
Shift from vague commands ("Clean up this spreadsheet") to explicit guidelines:
- Task: Filter this week's customer dataset.
- Criteria: Delete rows without primary phone numbers; highlight duplicate company names in light yellow.
- Example: Physically walk through a 3-row sample of a completed spreadsheet first.
"When-You-Are-Done" Task Bank
Proactively manage idle time by maintaining low-stakes, ongoing initiatives:
- Sorting, cataloging, or digitizing historical physical archives.
- Completing standard professional software tutorials (Excel, CRM, Analytics).
- Proofreading external marketing collateral or checking broken web links.
Sector-Specific Scopes of Work
Tailored internship models designed specifically for the Santa Maria Valley economic ecosystem.
Agriculture & Agribusiness
Experiencing agricultural operations from field to market across the Central Coast supply chain.
Rotational Duties
Field Operations (crop maturity & harvest schedules), Food Safety/QA (sanitation audits), and Logistics (cold storage inventory).
Key Capstone Project
Supply Chain Mapping Project: Track a single product line from harvest through cooling to dispatch, creating a visual workflow diagram to solve an operational bottleneck.
Advanced Manufacturing & Biotech
Defined-scope role embedded directly within Quality Control focusing on data precision and compliance.
Defined Scope Duties
Assembly line sampling, batch number logging, lab tool prep/sanitization, and vendor certificate auditing.
Key Capstone Project
Laboratory 5S Transformation: Own the organizational redesign of the QC sample storage room using 5S principles and deliver a daily maintenance checklist.
Healthcare & Social Services (Non-Clinical)
Optimizing patient care delivery, front-of-house clinic operations, and community outreach.
Front-of-House Duties
Digital kiosk navigation assistance, phone routing, bilingual literature organization, and administrative filing.
Key Capstone Project
The Community Resource Bridge: Compile an updated, accessible quick-reference resource directory of local Santa Maria Valley nonprofits for clinic caseworkers.
Hospitality, Wine Tourism & Culinary
Comprehensive rotational experience in guest relations, event logistics, and tourism marketing.
Rotational Duties
Guest check-ins and seating setup, retail inventory counts, venue event prep, and local event calendar monitoring.
Key Capstone Project
Local Tourism Media Kit: Capture property media, interview key staff members, and draft a structured 5-post social media campaign calendar for regional visitors.
Sample Position Templates
Customizable position templates tailored specifically to the Santa Maria Valley economic ecosystem.
Agribusiness Operations
Rotational | Seasonal
Experience Central Coast agricultural supply chains across Field Ops, Food Safety/QA, and Logistics.
QC Support Specialist
Defined Scope | Part-Time
Focuses on data precision, testing preparation, and 5S laboratory organization in manufacturing.
Healthcare Admin & Patient Exp.
Non-Clinical | Bilingual
Non-clinical patient onboarding, digital kiosk assistance, and community resource bridging.
Hospitality & Event Management
Rotational | 18+
Front-of-house guest services, retail inventory counts, and local tourism media marketing.
Standardized Evaluation Templates
Static reference examples of mid-term coaching and final exit evaluation forms.
Student Intern Mid-Term Evaluation Form
Performance Rating Scale:
1 = Needs Improvement | 2 = Developing | 3 = Meets Expectations | 4 = Exceeds Expectations | 5 = Exceptional
| Core Competency | Rating (1-5) | Supervisor Notes & Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Punctuality & Reliability: Arrives on time, manages scheduled hours, and communicates schedule shifts promptly. | ||
| Communication Skills: Asks clarifying questions, listens effectively, and provides updates on progress. | ||
| Quality of Work: Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and takes pride in completed tasks. | ||
| Initiative & Problem Solving: Attempts to resolve minor roadblocks independently and seeks work when idle. | ||
| Professionalism & Attitude: Adheres to dress code, follows safety/compliance rules, and interacts positively with staff. |
Qualitative Feedback & Progress Review
1. What are the intern's top 2 strengths observed during the first half of the term?
2. Identify 1–2 specific areas where the intern can focus on improving or growing before the conclusion of the internship:
3. Status Check on the Core Intern Project: Is the intern on track to complete their key industry project? What support is needed?
Student Intern Exit Evaluation & Summary Form
Final Performance Cumulative Rating Scale:
1 = Unsatisfactory | 2 = Needs Development | 3 = Proficient | 4 = Commendable | 5 = Outstanding
| Core Competency | Rating (1-5) | Final Comments & Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Punctuality, Reliability & Attendance | ||
| Oral & Written Communication | ||
| Technical Aptitude & Learning Speed | ||
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | ||
| Professionalism, Teamwork & Ethics | ||
| Core Project Completion Quality |
Summative Career Readiness Review
1. Major Accomplishments: Describe the primary project, deliverable, or operational contribution the intern successfully executed during their time with your organization.
2. Recommendation & Future Career Outlook: Based on your mentorship, what technical or professional fields do you believe this student is best suited for? Would you recommend them for employment in this sector?
3. Constructive Advice for Future Professional Growth: What overarching piece of professional advice would you offer this student as they prepare to enter the workforce permanently?
Industry Recommendation (Optional): Would you consider this intern for future regular employment or an advanced apprenticeship with your company if a position were open?