Solid Waste Compliance Internship – Environmental Services Department

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@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 .

Position Duties

About the Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Division:

ESD’s Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Division leads one of the largest and most advanced solid waste management systems in the United States through creativity and innovation. Division staff collaborate with other City departments and establish strong partnerships with private companies, other government agencies, nonprofits, and the community on a variety of key efforts. Experience fast-paced work and learn new skills that contribute to the bigger purpose of protecting the environment at a local level.

About the Solid Waste Compliance Internship

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill two (2) part-time unbenefited Graduate Intern positions in the Integrated Waste Management Division.

The Solid Waste Compliance Intern will provide support to the Enforcement, Commercial & Regulations Teams in IWM. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Senate Bill (SB) 1383 Compliance:

• Collect data, perform data analysis and update reports on SB 1383 implementation
• SB 1383 Waiver application process
• SB 1383 Waiver data entry into compliance tracking software
• Assistance with enforcement letters

Outreach and Business Engagement:

• Phone calls and business engagement to help distribute relevant information and program materials
• Outreach to businesses to support compliance with existing regulations

Administrative Support, as needed:

• Tracking environmental regulations compliance
• Mass mailings and monitoring of email inboxes
• Data entry, data comparison, and update data management systems
• Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other program support documents

Meetings and Collaboration:

• Attend relevant meetings and provide assistance as needed for division projects
• Collaborate with team members on special projects, providing research and organizational support

Duration of Assignment

Approximately 1 year, with the possibility to extend.

Salary Information

Salary ranges for this classification are:

• Graduate Student Intern: $20.52 - $30.30 hourly

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate: Completion of a bachelor’s degree and current enrollment in a master’s degree program from an accredited college or university. Must be enrolled throughout the duration of the internship.

Experience: None. Enrollment in majors with an environmental, sustainability, geography, communications, or public administration focus are preferred. Bilingual preferred.

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 employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Phil Dunbar at Phillip.Dunbar@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will 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.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City’s PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City’s Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the City’s website.

Closing Date/Time: 8/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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