Natural Resource Planning Intern

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is responsible for the management of over 61,000 acres of local watershed lands and 150-miles of rights-of-way. Located in three counties, the watershed lands contain the water supply storage, transmission, and treatment systems which serve 2.7 million people. The Natural Resources and Lands Management Division provides direction for watershed protection, planning, research, operations, and training.
 

The Planning and Compliance Section within the SFPUC Natural Resources and Lands Management Division is currently seeking an intern to support the development of a Habitat Conservation Plan and other resource management plans. The position will involve aspects of natural resource planning; environmental compliance; habitat assessment, monitoring, and restoration; and geospatial data collection, management, and analysis. The selected candidate will have opportunities to gain experience in environmental specialties such as botany, wildlife biology, vegetation management, hydrology, integrated pest management, fisheries, environmental regulations, compliance, and planning.
 

Example duties include:

• Reviewing and contributing to natural resource management and watershed operations plans, environmental permits, and compliance reports.
• Geospatial data collection, analysis, and management using ArcGIS.
• Conducting biological surveys and field assessments to support planning efforts (e.g., mitigation, restoration, and watershed operations). 
• Developing measures to avoid and minimize impacts to natural resources and special status species.
• Conducting literature reviews and regulatory research.

Desired qualifications:

• Enrollment or graduation from (within 6 months) a biology or environmental management related field at an accredited University or community college.
• 3-4 years education or experience in disciplines including but not limited to environmental planning, geography, environmental science, and/or natural resources.
• Knowledge of resource management, watershed management, or conservation planning.
• Proficiency using GIS for data collection and management as well as environmental analysis.
• Experience with database management, Microsoft Office platform, and technical writing.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Respectful and professional work approach.
• Comfortable working in remote field conditions and following safety protocols. Prior field work experience is a plus.
   

For more information: https://sfstudentintern.org/
Deadline to apply: January 15, 2026
Starting Pay: $36.65 to $41.2375
Eligibility: Completion of at least two years of college from an accredited college or university.
Schedule: The position will be part time (20 hours/week). The duration of the internship is 12 months, with an opportunity to extend based on performance and necessity. The position start date is TBD depending on the selected applicant’s availability.
Location: The position is based at SFPUC headquarters at 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco with occasional travel to the SFPUC Peninsula Watershed (Millbrae).

To apply:

• Go to:  San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Summer 2026 Student Design Trainee Program | City and County of San Francisco (https://careers.sf.gov/role/?id=3743990010678426)
• Please include a resume where you can upload documents.
• Please send a copy of your resume to Anna Larsen (alarsen@sfwater.org) after you appl