Wastewater Compliance Internship – Environmental Services Department

Position Duties

Duration of Assignment:

Approximately 12 weeks starting Summer 2025.

Salary Information:

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) part-time unbenefited Undergraduate/Graduate Student Intern in the Regulatory Affairs & Purified Water Division – Wastewater Compliance Group. 

Salary ranges for this classification are:

• Undergraduate Student Intern: $15.32 – $21.88 per hour (unbenefited)
• Graduate Student Intern: $19.82 – 29.27 per hour (unbenefited)

These salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

About the Internship

The Wastewater Compliance intern will provide project support to the Regulatory Affairs & Purified Water Division. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Pond A18 Water Quality Monitoring: 

• Assist staff biologists with scheduling and conducting boat and sonde deployments for sample collection in Artesian Slough.
• Ensure equipment maintenance including updates for sondes technology and software.
• Assist with the upload, compilation, and evaluation of weekly/monthly water quality datasets.
• Contribute to the development or refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for lab work, scientific instruments and equipment, and field work safety.

South Bay Water Quality Monitoring and Special Studies: Assist with the South Bay (SB) Monitoring project in support of the Copper and Nickel Action Plans and future environmental water quality issues that benefit from ambient monitoring.  

• Work with team members to integrate special studies in support of ecological condition assessments and nutrients characterization through nearfield, benthic, and water quality monitoring.
• Provide support for sample collection by participating in routine SB Monitoring.
• Assist with data analysis and graphical presentations of data, as needed.

Biosolids sampling: Assist staff biologists with annual biosolids sampling, lab coordination, and data analysis. 

Biological assessment, survey, and review: Provide support for habitat assessments and wildlife response for Wastewater Operations & Maintenance, Land Use Planning projects, and Capital Improvement Program projects at the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF).

Research and Data Management: 

• Conduct online research and assist in compiling relevant information for ongoing projects.
• Input and evaluate data in spreadsheets for various programs, including regulatory compliance and special studies support for sample collection by participating in routine SB Monitoring.

Meetings and Collaboration: 

• Attend relevant meetings.
• Collaborate with team members on special projects, providing research and organizational support.

Participate in other Wastewater Compliance activities, as needed. 

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

When assigned to fieldwork, possess ability to:

• Ability to board and disembark from a boat.
• Ability to operate and/or be a passenger aboard a small, motorized boat to conduct environmental monitoring, observations, and sample collection following strict protocols to ensure data integrity.
• Travel on foot across uneven terrain that can be vegetated or unvegetated including open fields, earthen levees, and up and down moderately steep slopes.
• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently during preparation, deployment, and retrieval of field monitoring equipment and samples.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate Student Intern: Current enrollment in an accredited college or university in an undergraduate program. 

Graduate Student Intern: Completion of a bachelor’s degree and current enrollment in a master’s degree program from an accredited college or university. 

Experience: No work experience required. Candidates enrolled in programs with an environmental, science, sustainability, or biological focus are highly desirable. 

Licenses & Certificates: Possession of a valid driver's license authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current academic and/or employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts. 

Reliability – Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Multi-Tasking – Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of this position, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ernesto Zamaguey at Ernesto.Zamaguey@sanjoseca.gov.

About the Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X (formally Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn.