San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Provides drinking water, wastewater treatment, and clean power services to San Francisco and Bay Area counties.
Paid field internship restoring habitats and surveying endangered species on SFPUC lands.
12 days ago
$36 - $41
Entry-level
Internship
Millbrae, CA
Field
Company Size
2,300 Employees
Service Specialisms
Engineering
Project Management
Consulting
Design
Technical Services
Construction Services
Architecture
Sector Specialisms
Water
Wastewater
Electric Power
Infrastructure
Energy
Government
Environmental Policy
Project Finance
Role
Description
gis mapping
data management
ecological survey
invasive removal
vegetation monitoring
wildlife monitoring
- Prepare reports and correspondence relating to conservation projects.
- Survey for rare and listed plants and animals and monitor projects to ensure their protection.
- Network with experienced staff and environmental consultants.
- Evaluate progress toward mitigation goals; collect, enter, and manage ecological data.
- Monitor vegetation communities and planting survivorship.
- Map key habitat features using ArcGIS, ESRI Field Maps, Arc GIS Online; analyze and display mapped features using GIS technology.
- Monitor threatened and endangered wildlife such as California red-legged frogs, Mission blue and San Bruno elfin butterflies
- Remove invasive species using hand tools, power tools, herbicide, and other methods.
- Maintain tools and equipment and other miscellaneous duties.
- Revegetate disturbed landscapes with native plants.
Requirements
communication
computer literacy
microsoft word
microsoft excel
microsoft powerpoint
student
- Great communication skills; treats others with respect; speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
- Basic computer literacy, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and willingness to learn new technology. Physical Requirements and Work Environments:
- This is a field-based position with occasional office time. Must enjoy working outside in various weather conditions while maintaining a sense of humor.
- Current or recent enrollment (within 6 months) in an accredited University or community college.
- Ability to lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Terms
- Ability to work independently and assume a leadership role as needed.
- Extreme sensitivity to poison oak may be problematic. (Personal protective equipment against poison oak will be provided)
- A familiarity with or desire to learn about biological and ecological concepts.
- Detail-oriented and organized.
Benefits
- Opportunity to explore the SFPUC Peninsula watershed lands that the public does not get to visit.
- Gain real-world work experience in natural resources management and threatened and endangered species protection.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
Information not given or found
Security clearance
Information not given or found
Company
Overview
Founded in 1932
Year of establishment
Originated during a push for municipal control, the agency began developing infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the city's population.
$700M Budget
Annual operating budget
Responsible for delivering water, treating sewage, and generating clean power through hydroelectric and solar initiatives.
100 Years of Power
Hydroelectric network history
The Hetch Hetchy Power system provides renewable energy to municipal services and the broader community through its century-old network.
- It serves local retail water needs and supplies wholesale water to multiple Bay Area counties, supporting municipal buildings and transit systems.
- It conducts large-scale infrastructure projects, such as pipeline construction, wastewater treatment modernization, and expanding the CleanPowerSF community-choice energy program.
- It combines traditional utility planning with innovative pilot programs like stormwater retention and creek restoration to minimize runoff.
- It uniquely integrates youth apprenticeships and workforce development across various trades, setting it apart from other utilities.
- Its history is a testament to civic foresight, evolving from municipal takeovers of private water monopolies into a modern, sustainable public service provider.
Culture + Values
2,300 people
Team members
The team strives to work in harmony with environmental and community interests.
- recognized throughout the world as a leading utility delivering high‑quality services through efficient, state‑of‑the‑art technologies
- value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce ensuring vision becomes reality
Environment + Sustainability
100% Renewable Electricity
CleanPowerSF Achievement
Delivered to over 380,000 customers in 2023, two years ahead of the City’s 2025 target.
98% Emissions Reduction
GHG Reduction Progress
Achieved over nine years, cutting greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use by 98% from 1990 levels.
357M Gallons Recycled
Water Recycling Initiative
Treasure Island Water Resource Recovery Facility will recycle annually, reducing onsite water use by 98% and earning the Envision Platinum Award.
600+ Electric Parking Spaces
EV Charging Expansion
Electrified across 50+ projects through the EV Charge SF program.
- Heat-pump water heater rebate providing $50/month credit for two years
- Committed $80 million for Tuolumne River restoring 77 acres of salmon habitat and floodplain
- Capture 1 billion gallons of stormwater annually via green infrastructure by 2050
- Average water use per person is 42 gallons/day—about half the California average
- City-wide net-zero sector-based greenhouse gas target by 2040
Inclusion & Diversity
- SFPUC Community Benefits policy integrates environmental justice and workforce/economic development opportunities for diverse communities
- Education of all staff on environmental justice and its integration into business decisions
- Active member of Government Alliance for Racial Equity and host of racial equity training
- Works with stakeholder boards/committees for diverse input and transparent accountability