Internships & Careers

To be considered for this position, you must apply at CalCareers.ca.gov. To apply, you must first create a CalCareers account. Once your account is created, you can search for job code 520673 to locate the job posting and apply. Link: CalCareersNote: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 6/19/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date. Job Description and DutiesPlease note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.Please note: this position is paid on an hourly basis and limited to 1500 hours in a rolling year.  The salary range for Scientific Aid is $18.26 - $21.67 per hour.  Are you looking for an exciting and fulfilling career? This may be the position for you! Apply today and join our team. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for a Scientific Aid in the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program/Title 27 Unit. The position is located at 1685 E Street, Fresno, CA 93706.Duties include assisting in the preparation of water quality scientific research projects; assisting in the development of various routine scientific reports, memos, permits, and formal and informal enforcement documents; participating in water quality site inspections and field sampling; assisting in analyzing laboratory samples. This job includes navigating uneven terrain and carrying equipment to sampling locations in various weather conditions. This position will help with duties in the Confined Animal Unit during the sampling off-season.  Duties: The Scientific Aid is responsible for assisting in the collection and laboratory processing of water quality samples, which may include carrying equipment over uneven terrain. The Scientific Aid is also responsible for assisting with office-centric duties including file review, document preparation, and data processing. Additional information:Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package. Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey.You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Working ConditionsPositions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position and might be expected to comply with Executive Order (EO) 22-25 after July 1, 2026.In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.  Proof of residency may be required.Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Employees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales.In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.Please note: this position is paid on an hourly basis and limited to 1500 hours per calendar year.  The salary range for Student Assistant / Student Assistant (E&A) / Scientific Aid / Graduate Student is $18.26 - $21.67 per hour.    Job type: Full-Time$18.26 - $21.67 per HourThe Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.

EHS SpecialistJob Summary This position reports to the EHS Manager and Safety Director and is a liaison for environmental and safety activities, including developing and facilitating training and other duties assigned to support overall compliance with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) business plans.Duties and ResponsibilitiesEssential Functions:EHS & OSHA DutiesPost EHS and OSHA policy plant-wide. Keep bulletin boards up-to-date with EHS and OSHA material.Support safe movement, storage, and use of hazardous waste and substances.Ensure employees have functional and required PPE for their job at all times.Provide PPE training.Order PPE. Keep it clean as necessary.Keep track of issued PPE using ADP.Ensure adequate provision of first aid stations and other safety/welfare facilities and support.Provide training for EHS and OSHA-related topics as requested.Ensure emergency procedures and safety signs are well-postedTimely incident reporting to production coordinators, supervisors, managers, and any other relevant authorities.Track all employees’ environmental and safety training in ADP.Set up and facilitate medical exams, blood work, respirator fit tests, hearing exams, and safety training.Keep logs of annual tests: Blood lead level (BLL), hearing, and respiration.Perform New Hire Orientations on safety and environmental issues.Primary organizer and standing member of the safety committee, which investigates accidents, near-miss accidents, and workers' comp. claims.Weekly inspection of all facilities for tracking of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, accumulation sites, proper disposal methods, and report findings to each department.Take water, soil, and debris samples for testing and reporting purposes.Order and put together safety and environmental supplies and spill response kits.On-call to transport employees for drug and express care workman comp. accidents.Training and Employee Development:Prepare training rooms, fliers, rosters, and other training documents and materials, arrange for venues, send invitations via Outlook, etc., as requested.Work with EHS Manager & Security Director, OSHA Compliance Coordinator, and Human Resources Department. Collaborate with others as appropriate to develop an effective compliance training program, including appropriate introductory training for new employees and ongoing training for all employees and managers.Keep accurate training and certification records, including the credentials of each trainer. Record retention includes maintaining electronic employee training records in ADP. Maintains hard copies of training rosters.Has available at all times for inspections: Employee rosters (paper and on ADP), written syllabus for each training session.  Responsibilities:Respond to employee and supervisor EHS inquiries and direct them to appropriate sources.Projects related to bringing an out-of-compliance area into compliance. (Becomes a pair of hands resource when needed.)Maintain “teacher’s frame of mind,” including patience with varying styles and paces of learning, hearing, and understanding.Respond to intense individuals and intense situations in ways that reduce, not add to, stress and unproductive conflict.Maintain excellent judgment and ability to think clearly in ways that are helpful and preserve relationships.Enter conversations with a solutions-based attitude, offering “fixes” not “failures” in problem-solving conversations. Maintain a helpful frame of mind; offer useful thoughts and ideas that can advance a situation for organizational learning.Good oral and written communication skills. Must have a good eye for environmental health hazards and violations. Excellent judgment, ethical core, and diplomacy skills.Must possess the highest standard of teamwork skills and the ability to work with others who are not knowledgeable in environmental or OSHA-related issues. Appreciation of standards, policies, and procedures. Appreciation of very busy people who have little time and patience for EHS and OSHA issues. Qualifications:Education: High School diploma or GED. Some knowledge of OSHA laws and regulations is preferred.Supervision: Direct supervision from the EHS Manager and Safety Director, where one must exercise influence without decision-making authority on most organizational issues.Working conditions: Usual office and Manufacturing working conditions with occasional exposure to shop elements such as fluctuating temperatures, noise, dust, fumes, and odors. Must be able to sit for long periods, some periods of standing, walking, lifting file boxes, speaking, listening, motor coordination skills, and good eyesight for reading documents and data entry.Mental demands: Maintain personal boundaries, including managing (limiting) work-socializing. Excellent self-regulation skills, including the ability to manage oneself in very intense confrontations with challenging employees and management staff. (I.E., must not let one’s own emotions get in the way or exacerbate a problem.)Confidential data: Access to company intellectual property and highly confidential private employee files must remain confidential and cannot be reproduced. Must securely maintain documents for Freedom Munitions-owned servers and emails

Job SummaryKing County Housing Authority (KCHA) is actively seeking a skilled professional for the position of Data Analyst (Management Analyst) to help inform agency learning, planning, and decision-making using data insights. In this pivotal role, you will lead and/or contribute to data and policy analysis, and program evaluations. You will produce data summaries, model the impacts of policy and program changes, and create dashboards, visualizations, and maps that increase understanding of KCHA services and impact. We're searching for an individual with experience facilitating applied data and policy analysis projects, strong communication and presentation skills, and a track record of effective project management. This work is performed under the general direction of the Senior Manager of Research & Evaluation. This role goes beyond data - it's about translating complex findings into practical recommendations and driving positive change. If you possess the qualifications we are looking for and have a passion for using data to drive social justice and continuous improvement, we invite you to apply. Let's shape the future together! King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is the largest provider of affordable housing in the Pacific Northwest and a nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. To learn more about KCHA and our Mission visit this link.Please note this position is open until filled; however, to ensure consideration applications should be received by June 22, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Essential Functions Data Analysis Lead and/or support data analysis projects that inform policy decisions and programmatic strategies, with a focus on improving organizational strategy and outcomes for low-income populations. Respond to requests from staff and leaders for data summaries. Assemble data and perform analyses using large internal, market, survey, and public datasets to assess program performance, identify trends, and generate actionable insights. Most analyses will be descriptive, though some may use predictive or inferential methods. Typical analyses call for calculating frequencies, averages, and changes over time in to understand resident characteristics, experiences and program impacts.  Build or use cost and impact modeling tools, analysis approaches, and dashboards to support decision-making, including decisions with financial or strategic implications; develop and implement new methods to analyze and review data to increase usefulness, understandability, and efficiency for staff. For example, you may be asked to build an interactive dashboard displaying key measures of specific programs or to summarize and disaggregate financial implications of policy changes under consideration Conduct background research and policy/landscape analyses pertaining to housing, public assistance, homelessness, other social policy topics, and to relevant data sources and research/analytic methodologies. Understand and leverage the broader data landscape (e.g. publicly available data) to inform program and policy analysis.  Data Presentation and Reporting Develop clear and compelling data summaries and visualizations, maps, presentations, reports, and briefing materials for diverse audiences including agency leadership, board members, and/or external partners. Present methodologies, findings, and insights  to staff, leadership, board members, and/or external audiences. Represent Authority at community, professional, and/or partnership meetings. Collaboration, Technical Support and Guidance Manage and enhance data tools, analysis plans, and data documentation to support transparency and operational efficiency. Provide data-related technical guidance to analysts and other staff, including program teams. Support data-related agency learning and capacity-building initiatives, such as developing learning materials or facilitating group discussions. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including operational staff, analysts, and leadership, to ensure data-driven insights are actionable and aligned with program goals.  Qualifications and Competencies Required Qualifications Associate's degree with coursework in public administration, public policy, statistics, economics, sociology, organizational development, or related field, AND Moderate experience conducting applied quantitative data analysis in a public, social policy, or related research setting (e.g., government, nonprofit, academic, or mission-driven organizations), OR Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Prior experience conducting applied data analysis in the housing or social policy sectors is strongly preferred. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities General knowledge of affordable housing policy, programs, and research and/or related social policy areas (e.g., homelessness, public assistance, health, education, workforce development). Knowledge relating to subsidized housing programs including public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and project-based rental assistance is ideal, as is knowledge of the affordable housing landscape and/or public assistance programs in Washington State. General knowledge of quantitative analysis methods; experience designing and conducting applied data analysis, policy analysis, and/or evaluation. Familiarity in working with large administrative and publicly available data sets and in conducting statistical analyses. Familiarity with HUD data is ideal. Ability to develop data visualizations and dashboards to support operational and strategic decision-making. Ability to analyze and interpret large data sets, develop sound conclusions, and convey findings in accessible ways to both technical and non-technical audiences through clear, concise, and complete reports, summaries, visualizations, and presentations. Technical proficiency in data analysis skills including writing analytical code in Stata or R and developing dashboards using PowerBI; experience with spatial data analysis using ArcGIS is ideal but not required. Project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present research and policy findings to staff, community stakeholders, and the public. Ability to ensure legal and regulatory compliance through accurate interpretation of applicable governing policy. Ability to foster collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners, and individuals of diverse backgrounds. Knowledge of equity-centered evaluation and learning practices. Experience collecting data (e.g. survey design and administration) is ideal. Special Requirements: Consent to and pass required assessments. Consent to and pass a criminal records background check. The successful candidate will need to have access to reliable transportation to meet the business needs of the Agency.  Position Information and Application Process Application Requirements:To be considered for this opportunity, you must:Complete the online application profile in its entirety.Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter)Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)Salary & Benefits:The salary range is $84,763.00 to $114,430.00 with a midpoint of $99,598.23. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint; however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market. Salary is negotiable. Performance based merit increase opportunities and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) are reviewed on an annual basis. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page.Work Environment:After initial onboarding, this position will have the opportunity to work remotely up to 60% in accordance with KCHA's flexible work arrangements; however, remote work conditions will be reviewed on a regular basis based on business and program need. Employees must reside in Washington State and having the ability to report to the Central Office in Tukwila will be required. Some local and domestic travel may be required to support KCHA business needs. Physical Requirements:Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This work is sedentary and requires little to no exertion of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).Equal Opportunity:King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.         

Wildlife Management SpecialistWork Location:Iowa DNR Prairie Resource Unit (Webster County)2820 Brushy Creek Rd, Lehigh, IA 50557Application deadline: June 14, 2026Salary: $17.00 per hourTypical Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 40 hours per weekAnticipated Start Date: 2-4 weeks post successful job offer with flexibility availableEnd Date: One year from start dateThe position may be extended for an additional year pending funding and job performance.JOB DESCRIPTION:  This position is part of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The primary responsibilities of the Wildlife Management Specialist at the Iowa DNR Prairie Resource Unit are to assist the team with the production of local ecotype native grass and wildflower seed for Iowa’s public lands, along with performing general wildlife management activities on State owned and managed wildlife areas within the assigned counties. The employee in this position will work with other wildlife unit personnel and be under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist. Overnight travel will occasionally be required on special projects outside of the assigned unit counties. The person in this position must possess strong organization and communication skills and be able to express ideas orally and in writing.  The candidate must possess plant identification skills and lead others in the propagation, maintenance, and harvest of prairie species.  The person must be a leader capable of leading groups of volunteers and other employees.  Candidates must possess the ability to operate independently with indirect supervision under general coordination and program guidelines.Examples of typical job duties may include:Assist with the planting, maintenance, and harvest of over 100 prairie species. Identification and harvest of specific prairie species from prairie remnants across the state.Perform general wildlife management activities including: Wetland management, prairie management, native prairie seeding, food plot development, edge feathering, tree/brush removal, spraying, disking, mowing, etc. using large farm machinery, chainsaws, and other hand tools.   Assist with the training/direction of inmate workers, volunteers and other staff in the cleaning harvest and planting of native plant material. Prescribed fire implementation on native grass and wildflower fields for seed production and harvest.  This duty will require fire-line construction, fire-line holding, and mop-up activities.  Performance of these tasks will require the employee to follow the Iowa DNR Prescribed Fire Policy and periodically work under physically stressful and adverse conditions.  Proficiency in the use of basic wildland firefighting equipment will be needed.Assist with seed propagation and care of native plants in the greenhouse.General area maintenance involving mowing, sign posting, fence building, fence removal, tree/brush control, noxious weed control etc. These activities require the ability to use simple power equipment; drills, saws, hand tools, chain saws, trimmers, small mowers etc.Safe operation of unit equipment such as tractor, combine, native grass drill, and seed cleaning equipment.   Special assignments may require some overnight travel as part of a crew, to accomplish large scale fence removal, fence building or tree removal projects outside of the assigned unit counties. These assignments will require the ability to work well with others, work out of doors under all types of weather conditions, and to withstand physically demanding work, i.e., lifting, bending and hauling.           MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:College graduate with a degree in wildlife biology, animal ecology, or another closely related natural resource field. Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.Able to travel on overnight duties.Work with minimal supervision; demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.Able to work alone or as part of a team, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings as required.Exhibit honesty and integrity. Follow policy and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers.Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. CAREER ADVANCEMENT BENEFITS:Proven pathway to full-time careers — this position has a strong track record of placement into permanent roles with DNR, Pheasants Forever, and other conservation organizations.Build valuable, hands-on technical skills while working alongside experienced DNR professionals.Grow your professional network and form lasting connections across the conservation field.Gain real-world, outdoor experience doing meaningful, on-the-ground conservation work.Experience a unique dual-agency role, with opportunities to engage in trainings, collaboration, and annual staff meetings with both DNR and Pheasants Forever.EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE:Pheasants Forever offers a competitive benefits package. Employee Benefit Package information can be found here: Employee Benefit Summary pdfTo Apply: Please combine your cover letter including which locations you are interested in, resume and three references into one Word document or PDF file before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must possess or be able to acquire a pesticide applicator’s license and S130-190 basic firefighter training certification, special requirements shall be met within 90 days of hire if not currently possessed. Successful applicant will also be encouraged to obtain Iowa DNR chainsaw safety certification and first aid & bloodborne pathogen training.If you have additional questions, please contact Bryan Hellyer, NW District Supervisor - Iowa DNR, 319-591-1244 or bryan.hellyer@dnr.iowa.gov. Pheasants Forever, Inc is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.

Pryer Aerospace is a leading manufacturer of complex aerospace components, specializing in engineering, precision machining, and assembly for both commercial and defense markets. Leveraging advanced technologies and a commitment to innovation, Pryer delivers critical solutions that meet the rigorous demands of global aerospace partners. Its expertise spans from intricate structural components to fully integrated systems, supporting customers with high-quality, reliable products tailored to their specific needs.With growth on the horizon, Pryer is hiring an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist.The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining a companywide culture of safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship. Operating from the Tulsa, Oklahoma corporate office, this role supports all company locations and departments, including Manufacturing, Operations, Fleet, Maintenance, and Human Resources to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. The EHS Specialist leads site inspections, conducts risk assessments, oversees regulatory reporting, investigates incidents, maintains documentation, delivers training, and drives continuous improvement across all safety and environmental programs. The role is ideal for a professional with up to 3 years of applicable experience who is seeking growth opportunity.This position will play a crucial role in the production process and contribute to the company’s overall performance in Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety, and Attitude (QCDSA).We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to delivering excellence in aerospace manufacturing.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Safety & Environmental Program LeadershipDevelop, implement, and continuously improve corporate EHS programs, policies, and procedures.Lead the safety efforts at all locations. Maintain and update the Safety Manual, Emergency Management Plan, Operations Safety Program, and Substance Abuse Policy.Oversee environmental compliance programs including waste management, spill prevention, air/water regulatory adherence, and sustainability initiatives. Compliance, Site Inspections & Risk ManagementConduct safety audits, site inspections, and hazard assessments at company facilities.Review and respond to inspection findings; ensure timely corrective actions to maintain compliance.Manage and support implementation of key safety programs (hazard communication, hearing conservation, Forklift/Slings & Cranes/Aerial Lift safety/operator certification, etc.). Incident Management & ReportingLead or support investigations of accidents, near misses, lost time injuries, or major property/equipment damages.Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.Manage OSHA and workers’ compensation reporting and recordkeeping in coordination with Human Resources.Maintain corporate EHS documentation, files, and performance metrics; provide reports to senior and executive leadership.Training & Employee EngagementPlan and deliver EHS training programs, including new hire orientation, safety meetings, and specialized regulatory training.Promote safety engagement, accountability, and awareness through coaching, communication, and recognition programs.Lead or support the company’s 5S, safety incentive, and continuous improvement initiatives.Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership SupportAct as the primary corporate EHS resource for all facilities and departments.Identify safety trends, develop improvement strategies, and monitor EHS performance indicators.Support supervisors and managers in achieving compliance with OSHA and internal standards.Oversee the availability, distribution, and maintenance of corporate safety equipment and supplies.Collaborate with troubleshooting issues and provide feedback for continuous improvement.Demonstrates a proactive, solutions-focused Champion Mindset. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.QUALIFICATIONSBachelor’s degree in Safety, Environmental Science, or Engineering, Professional certifications such as CSP, CHMM, CIH, or similar preferred.Experience with 5S or other continuous improvement methodologies.1 -3 years of progressive EHS experience within a manufacturing environment or multi-site operations.Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and related regulatory requirements. Proficiency in MS Office and the ability to interpret and apply regulatory guidelines. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTESTeam-oriented, collaborative, and supportive.Proactive and solution-focused with strong problem-solving skills.Calm and reliable under pressure.An effective communicator who welcomes feedback.Eager to grow skills and contribute to continuous improvement.Maintains a clean, safe, and organized work environment.Self-disciplined with a strong work ethic and accountability. OTHER REQUIREMENTSLegally able to work in the US. Adhere to OSHA, NADCAP, ISO9000 / AS9100, ITAR, FAA regulations and company specific safety standards. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSMust be able to stand, walk, bend, and reach for extended periods (up to 12 hours per shift). Able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25lbs regularly, and occasionally heavier weights with assistance.Must be able to tolerate exposure to manufacturing environments, including moderate noise levels, vibrations, and varying temperatures.Ability to wear personal protective equipment as required, Such as safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection. WORK ENVIRONMENTOn the production floor, PPE is required depending on department and product (e.g., gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection). SAFETY SENSITIVEThis position is designated as Safety Sensitive under Oklahoma law, including the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act. As a result, individuals in this position are subject to drug testing, and the use of medical marijuana even with a valid license is not permitted. This designation helps ensure a safe and compliant work environment for all employees. The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included.  It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employees’ ability to perform the job successfully.  It is not intended to be construed as an all-inclusive list of duties.  Additional requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate.  This document does not represent a contract of employment, as the company reserves the right to change the job description and/or tasks as they deem appropriate.Pryer Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. All candidates for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.