Public Works Engineering and Resource Protection - Intern II

Full Job Description

The County of San Mateo Department of Public Works is looking for up to 2 summer interns to perform a variety of administrative and technical functions in the Engineering and Resource Protection Division; one position is available in the Engineering and Construction Section of the division, and one position is available in the Utilities and Watershed Protection Section.

Interns will gain on-the-job experience under the guidance of experienced professional engineers, Public Works Technicians, and surveyors while participating in various activities in the assigned discipline.

College students in Associate, Undergraduate, and Graduate Degree programs studying the following are encouraged to apply:

• Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Geotechnical, Structural, Transportation, and Water Resources Engineering)
• Construction Management
• Land Surveying
• Conservation and biological sciences
• Environmental Studies
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Technology
• Computer Science as related to Website Design

Requirements

• Scan, review, and file documents.
• Prepare letters, forms, spreadsheets, and database.
• Evaluate Division web pages and make recommendations for improvements.
• Aid in design tasks under supervision, such as drafting plans, specifications, utility letters, and creating models.
• Assist with field inspections to assess construction progress and current site conditions.
• Assist with biological surveys (e.g., wildlife, nesting birds, plants).
• Collect, enter, and analyze project-related data.
• Prepare reports, flyers, and presentations summarizing findings and observations.
• Support environmental permitting and stormwater compliance by gathering documentation and coordinating with regulatory agencies.
• Assist with inspections during the construction phase by reviewing plans and responding to Requests for Information (RFI), preparing Contract Change Orders (CCO) and construction related correspondences.
• Maintain organized records of project documents and correspondence.
• Conduct research on industry best practices and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with project team members to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Attend training sessions and workshops for professional development.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and protocols at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To apply, the following criteria must be met:

Education: At the time of submitting application, you must be enrolled in an accredited university or a community college.

Must be eligible to work in the United States

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must possess a high school diploma or educational equivalent
• Must successfully pass a thorough background investigation prior to employment
• Must be returning to your associate, undergraduate or graduate program or entering/continuing a graduate program in Fall, 2025
• Students enrolled in second-to-last or last semester and will soon graduate are also encouraged to apply.
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle and required to have a Class C: For personal vehicles, SUVs, and small trucks.

Ideal Candidates will possess:

• Strong technical skills in engineering principles and relevant software.
• Interest and/or experience in natural resource and watershed protection (e.g., biological monitoring, stormwater pollution prevention, environmental permitting).
• Basic knowledge about construction Best Management Practices and erosion control principles.
• Training in GIS and/or website design.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and critical thinking.
• Clear and effective communication, both verbal and written.
• Capacity to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.
• Proactive attitude towards learning and seeking out new challenges.
• Professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct.
• Adaptability to changing project requirements and environments.
• Genuine passion for civil engineering and making a positive impact.

Work Schedule: Work in an onsite environment, and you may be expected to work onsite in the office up to 5 days per week. In-office workdays are determined by the nature of the work and are scheduled by your supervisor.

Verification: All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline.

Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Additional Information

Selection Procedures: After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

The selection process will include an evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements.

Depending on the number of applicants, the department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates.

If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the department will move forward in the recruitment process. You must attach the following:

• Proof of your community college, undergraduate or graduate school education (Master’s or PhD program). This can be official or unofficial transcript, diploma, class schedule, or other document that shows your current enrollment or student status with your school.
• Cover letter (one page PDF only) briefly addressing your interest in Engineering, Construction Management, Utilities and Watershed Protection, GIS and website design as related to public works, and Land Surveying, and your career goals.
• Applications without these attachments will be considered incomplete and may not move forward in the hiring process.

NOTE: Extra-help assignments are at-will and the employee is paid on an hourly basis. Some extra-help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra-help workers are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the extra-help assignment.[DH1]