San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Summer 2027 Student Design Trainee Program

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nCompany Description\n\nSan Francisco Public Utilities Commission is seeking student interns interested in various engineering disciplines, to provide support to in-house Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management.\n\n Application Opening: 11/13/2026\n Application Filing Deadline: 12/13/2026\n Hourly Rate: $37.9500 to $42.6875\n Recruitment ID: TEX-538X-EXEMPT\n\nInstructions to Apply:\n1. Complete the Student Design Trainee application AND\n 2. Attach proof of college transcripts (official or unofficial) or college diploma with your online application.\nIt is highly recommended that you use the “upload resume” feature at the top of the application page to pre-fill your application. Please review the content as not all information may be transferred properly. The “upload resume” feature will also automatically attach your resume to the application.\nImportant Application Requirements:\n\n Only applicants who submit a completed job application and attach their most recent college transcripts or a copy of their college diploma will be considered.\n College transcripts must clearly display the applicant’s full name, institution name, and major to be accepted.\n Class schedules, proof of enrollment, and screenshots will not be accepted as substitutes for official or unofficial college transcripts. Applications submitted with these documents in place of the required transcripts or diploma will be considered incomplete and will not receive further consideration. \n\nAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Exempt: This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.\nWHO ARE WE?San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)\n Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.\nOur Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.\nOur Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.\nWe are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment.To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.org/.\nWe are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality.\nTo learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site at https://www.sfpuc.org/about-us/careers-sfpuc.Job Description\n\nCollege students in Associate, Undergraduate, and Graduate Degree Programs studying the following are encouraged to apply:\n\n Civil Engineering\n Electrical Engineering\n Environmental Engineering\n Mechanical Engineering\n Planning\n Computer Science/Information Systems\n Mathematics\n Biology\n Geology\n Natural Resources\n Electronics\n Environmental Science\n Urban Studies\n Public Policy\n Construction Management\n Project Management\n\nInterns will gain on-the-job experience under the guidance of experienced professional engineers while participating in various activities in the assigned discipline. The duration of this internship can be 3-6 months, with an opportunity to extend based on exemplary performance and necessity.\nIntern positions are available in the following divisions and sections: \nInfrastructure Division\nThe Infrastructure Division is responsible for overseeing the administration, planning, design, and construction of our water, wastewater, and power capital programs and projects, including the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP), the Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP), the Hetch Hetchy Improvement Program (HCIP), and the annual Water and Wastewater Renewal and Replacement (R&R) Programs.\nUnder Infrastructure Division we have these sections:\n\n Engineering Management Bureau\n Construction Management Bureau\n Project Management Bureau\n Project Controls\n Environmental Management Group\n\nJob Analyst Information: For questions regarding internship opportunities at the Infrastructure Division, please contact Sari Mix at SMix@sfwater.org.\nSan Francisco Water Division\nThe San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) SFWD is responsible for directing approximately 322 employees in the operation and maintenance of the water distribution system within the City and County of San Francisco. These activities include, but are not limited to: operating and maintaining 28 pump stations, 11 reservoirs, 13 storage tanks, 19 regulators as well as other ancillary appurtenances and equipment; installing, repairing and maintaining over one thousand miles of water distribution mains including service connections and meters; four water systems comprised of the Potable, Emergency Fire Water System (EFWS), Recycled and Groundwater; engineering and designing new main and feeder extensions; managing over 1,000 acres of city owned property and rights-of-ways; and responding to all two-alarm or greater fires to assist the Fire Department in maintaining adequate water volume and consistent pressure while fighting fires.\nJob Analyst Information: For questions regarding internship opportunities at the Water Enterprise, please contact Yvane Mirabueno at YMirabueno@sfwater.org.\nWater Quality \nThe intern will work with our Water Quality Engineering team as a part of the Water Quality Division to aid in conducting water quality studies and research, analyzing water system performance data, troubleshooting or optimizing water treatment system performance, and monitoring regulatory compliance. The Engineering Section provides treatment process engineering and laboratory support for our water treatment facilities and distribution systems throughout the Bay Area.\nDesirable Qualifications: Civil, Chemical, Environmental Engineering; interest in Hydraulics, Water Treatment Process Engineering and Analytics, Water Resources Engineering\nWork Locations: \n• 8653 Calaveras Road, Sunol, CA (Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant)\n• 2901 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA (Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant)\n• 1 Lakeshore Drive, Moccasin, CA\n• 1657 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA\n• 1980 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco, CA\nWork Schedule: Regular Schedule < 1040 Hours | desirable is 40 hours a week for summer, 10-20 hours a week for the rest of the year\nNature of Work: Ability to travel and work at remote sites, including watersheds, surface water lakes, pump stations, tanks, reservoirs, water treatment plants, groundwater wells and construction sites; climb ladders to top of tanks for inspections; enter water reservoirs; carry and employ field analytical and testing equipment; involves driving; climbing; walking; carrying equipment; Requires a valid CA driver's license.\nExample of tasks include but aren’t limited to: \n\n Assists with designing and conducting bench-, pilot, and full-scale studies to evaluate water treatment process modifications, (including, but not limited to, coagulation and biofiltration effects with pre-ozonation), new treatment techniques, and new chemical products\n Assists with reviewing and analyzing water quality data to make treatment, operational, and monitoring recommendations\n Assists with preliminary engineering design for new facilities or modifications\n Assists with data entry/analysis and preparation of charts and graphs using computer software\n Assists with maintaining, organizing, and updating engineering drawings, reports, files, and other records\n Assists with reviewing and providing comments on drawings and specifications and technical references in support of capital improvement projects\n Assists with the development of treatment optimization guidelines, water quality objectives, system targets, and operational criteria\n Assists with routine regulatory reports\n Reviews, interprets, and summarizes technical literature and/or regulations for project support\n Assists with water quality monitoring during disinfection and dichlorination of water treatment, conveyance, and storage facilities\n Assists with sample collection at various points in the water transmission and distribution system and water production facilities\n Assists with maintenance and calibration of field and laboratory instruments\n Assists with preparing standards and reagents and performing simple chemical analyses\n Assists with water sample receiving and transport\n Assists in maintaining laboratory workspaces including glassware and workspaces, Safety Data Sheets, and inventory laboratory supplies and equipment\n Performs other related duties as assigned \n\nJob Analyst Information: For questions regarding internship opportunities at the Water Quality Division, please contact Yvane Mirabueno at YMirabueno@sfwater.org.\nAbout Wastewater Enterprise\nThe San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) consists of three enterprises – Water, Power, and Wastewater. Wastewater Enterprise operates and maintains San Francisco's combined sewer system to protect public health and the environment. These services extend across eight urban watersheds, more than 1,000 miles of pipe, and 24 miles of transport and storage facilities. WWE operates three all-weather wastewater treatment plants, one wet-weather facility, 32 pump stations, eight transport/storage facilities, and 34 combined sewer discharge structures to treat an estimated 34.6 billion gallons of wastewater in a typical year. We have opportunities in the following Wastewater divisions:\n\n Collection System Division \n\nThe Collection System Division is responsible for ensuring that waste collected through the sewer system is monitored, regulated, and reliably conveyed to protect the public, environment, and sewer system. Interns will contribute to one or more of the Division’s departments, such as administration, sewer maintenance, sewer repairs, information systems, and pollutant source control. The Division inspects and cleans the sewer system; responds to sewer-related emergencies; samples, monitors, and evaluates wastewater for pollutants; enforces sewer-related ordinances; ensures compliance with regional, state, and federal permits and regulations; performs pollution prevention outreach; and creates information systems solutions such as GIS maps and reports for asset management. Interns will gain exposure to various disciplines and departments, offering insights into diverse career pathways and the collaborative nature of work within public utilities.\n\n Engineering Division\n\nThe Wastewater Engineering is a division in the Wastewater Enterprise that employs about sixty engineers, consisting of civil, mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers, who provide support to the operation and maintenance of the wastewater infrastructure and assets. Student interns will have the ability to work on a variety of projects such as planning, design and construction projects; pilot projects to improve wastewater treatment processes; odor control improvements; programming and controls; condition assessment of sewers; regulatory and permitting, etc. Student interns are a valuable asset to the Wastewater Engineering Division and is part of our future succession planning of staff. Join our team!!!\n\n Enterprise Capital Planning Division\n\nThe Enterprise Capital Planning (ECP) Division guides and shapes a capital plan that prioritizes WWE’s needs while meeting regulatory compliance, health and safety, condition assessment and asset management goals. Interns in this Division will have the opportunity to provide technical support to system planning efforts which could include 3D modeling and data management/analysis. There will also be ample time spent in the field performing condition assessments, collecting data, and optimizing operations.\n\n Regulatory Compliance Division\n\nThe Regulatory Compliance Division develops, coordinates, and leads activities and strategies across WWE and SFPUC to assure WWE’s compliance with Federal, State, and regional Clean Water Act regulations. Interns with this Division will support the Division through technical analyses of bacteriological, chemical, hydraulic, toxicological, and/or other data; and assisting with reviewing and preparing reports to be submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Interns will have opportunities to work with SFPUC staff across various disciplines - including engineering, operations, legal, and biology - and with regional municipal organizations like the Bay Area Clean Water Agencies.\n\n Urban Watershed Planning Division \n\nThe Urban Watershed Planning Division (UWPD) develops long-range plans, policies, programs, standards, and projects using an integrated watershed planning approach to manage stormwater and increase flood resilience. UWPD conducts watershed planning and green infrastructure opportunities analyses; leads policy initiatives advancing stormwater management and flood resilience; runs green infrastructure and flood resilience grant programs; implements the San Francisco Stormwater Management Ordinance; works with city partners to deliver integrated, multi-benefit green infrastructure projects in schools, parks, and streets; and leads education and engagement efforts such as the Rain Guardians and Youth Watershed Stewards programs.\nJob Analyst Information: For questions regarding internship opportunities at the Wastewater Enterprise, please contact Alexeh Alfajora at AAlfajora@sfwater.org.\nNatural Resources and Lands Management Division (NRLM)\nThe Natural Resources and Lands Management (NRLM) Division is responsible for the management of over 61,000 acres of local watershed lands and 150-miles of rights-of-way and for the environmental regulatory compliance of operations and maintenance activities across the entire Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System in seven California counties. In addition, NRLM monitors San Francisco’s shoreline and coastal environments to ensure that effluents from the SFPUC’s wastewater systems meet state and federal standards and do not impact the environment or public health.\nNRLM Division projects involve managing, protecting, restoring, and monitoring ecological resources, protecting and monitoring cultural resources, implementing environmental compliance and educating the public about the drinking water system and the natural resources that support it. Shoreline and coastal marine projects include participating in the collection and preparation of marine samples, introduction to the practice of benthic invertebrate taxonomy, as well as aquatic bioassay (whole effluent toxicity testing), and shoreline monitoring