Environmental Services Internship - Watershed Management

City of San José
INTERNSHIP POSITION DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services
DIVISION: Watershed Protection
TERM OF ASSIGNMENT: 6 months is recommended with option to extend
HOURS PER WEEK: average 20 hrs. per week
COMPENSATION: Student Intern $10.73/hr Graduate Student Intern $14.38/hr
INTERN SUPERVISOR: Sanhita Ghosal
PHONE: 793-4377
EMAIL: Sanhita.ghosal@sanjoseca.gov
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
San José’s Environmental Services Department has established a national reputation for
environmental leadership and innovation with award-winning recycling, water
conservation, water quality protection, and wastewater treatment programs. With over
400 employees and an annual budget of $124 million, ESD is one of the City's largest and
most visible departments. Among its major initiatives are to provide:
Healthy streams, rivers, marshlands and Bay waters;
Reliable water, garbage, and recycling services;
Clean and green air, land and energy policy development; and
Community education aimed at environmental sustainability
WHY INTERN WITH US?
The Watershed Protection Division is seeking a student intern to help us protect and
improve the quality of San Jose’s Watersheds. A highly motivated student will gain
experience in and learn principles of stormwater management while helping us improve
the condition of our creeks and rivers by supporting sustainable landscaping practices,
water quality monitoring, and public outreach. An internship with the Watershed
Protection Division will provide a rich opportunity to learn a wide variety of
environmental management skills.
KEY ACTIVITIES
This internship would support:
• Pesticide Reduction through sustainable landscape practices.
• Water Quality Monitoring and Citizen Monitoring activities.
• Data projects including database support and GIS
• Public Outreach for Watershed Protection
• Interdepartmental stormwater coordination
EDUCATION
Current enrollment in an accredited college or university in undergraduate or graduate
program is required. Preferred majors include Environmental Studies, Urban and
Regional Planning, Environmental Engineering, Biological Science, Aquatic Biology,
Ecology, Soil Science, Geography, or other related majors.
DESIRABLE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, & QUALITIES
• Education or experience in environmental biology, horticulture or other related
field (botany, ecology, native plants, horticulture, Integrated Pest Management,
sustainable landscaping, landscape architecture, etc).
• Education, work, or volunteer experience with watershed/garden/parks/landscaperelated
field projects and/or field monitoring of water, soil, etc.
• Ability to physically perform duties involved with field work such as bending,
stooping, traversing steep banks, climbing in/out of a boat, and lifting objects up
to 50 pounds.
• Computer skills including ArcGIS, MS Office suite
• Other software skills such as graphics, basic web and social media design
• Photographic techniques
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability and willingness to speak with the public, provide presentations, lead
workshops
• Spanish reading and speaking skills
• Qualitative and quantitative analytical and research skills
• Data analysis skills
• Self-motivated, conscientious, and independent
HOW TO APPLY:
Return a cover letter and resume to internsanjose@sanjoseca.gov.
Subject Line: Stormwater Management Program Internship
Questions? Please contact Shellyne Urban shellyne.urban@sanjoseca.gov

Please also see the newly launched student website: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/students/