Fieldwork Intern Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.30 - $28.32 Hourly
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: 26/04-0825-INTSPI
Department: Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI)
Opening Date: 04/23/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 00
Position Information
Are you a current college student interested in transit or city and regional planning?
Gain experience as a Transit Intern at Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI)!
This paid internship provides an undergraduate student with excellent hands-on experience directly related to their field of study. To qualify for the position, you must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time academic or vocational curriculum at an accredited college or university. This internship position offers flexibility, with an expected schedule of 15-30 hours per week.
The Sonoma County Transit division has a small team of dedicated staff managing fixed route and paratransit transportation services, which carry over 850,000 riders each year. The Transit Intern will have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of transit-related topics and tasks, including duties in the following areas:

• Updating bus stop inventory in a database
• Assisting with implementation and quality control for new AVL/Automatic Passenger Counting System
• Analyzing transit ridership data
• Performing Farebox and Clipper data analysis
• Assisting with public outreach and marketing assistance
• Conducting field work and driving as needed (bus stop inspections, notice posting, etc)

The ideal candidate will be excited about improving public transit and will bring the patience and adaptability needed to work effectively within government processes. They will also possess many of the following:

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• The ability to work well in a small team and manage varying workloads and priorities
• Some experience with analyzing field data, monitoring conditions, and creating summary reports
• Experience conducting public outreach and/or marketing
• Completed coursework in City or Regional Planning or a related field

If selected, students must show proof of student status and course of study by one of the following:

• Course registration material
• Certificate of Postgraduate Program requirements
• Internship registration
• Transcript

Employment
Interns are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage, accrual of vacation and sick leave, participation in the County retirement program, or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Paid interns may meet the eligibility requirements (generally worked 11 consecutive pay periods with a minimum of 440 hours and are scheduled at least 40 hours per pay period) to qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage. Dependent coverage may also be available at the employee's cost. Interns may not work in excess of 1,560 hours in a twelve-month period.
Join Our Team
The Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) Department leads the way to a safe and sustainable community by planning, building, managing, and maintaining Sonoma County's investment in quality services and infrastructure. The department's staff of 272 supports the County's critical transportation infrastructure, including bridges, roads, street lighting districts, and traffic signals as well as the procuring and maintaining equipment, vehicles, and real estate; purchasing goods and services; managing an airport, public transit services, and various capital projects; operating and maintaining four veteran's buildings and four water systems within the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County; and maintaining multiple solid waste disposal sites.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Transit Intern position in the Sonoma Public Infrastructure Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future intern positions as they occur during the active status of this list.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Current enrollment in a full-time or part-time academic or vocational curriculum at an accredited college or university.
Experience: None required.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary endorsements may be required to perform the essential functions of the position.
The position advertised on this announcement does require possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to ensure candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position. Candidates possessing these requirements will be referred to the department for further consideration. The hiring department will contact candidates who appear to best meet the requirements and needs of the position and take further steps in making a selection for the internship.
Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
Additional InformationA background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.
How To Apply
Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: JT
HR Technician: NM
Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
County of Sonoma Benefits: Unrepresented*
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) 565-2900.
*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?

• Careers in Government
• College or University
• County of Sonoma Human Resources Office
• Craigslist
• DiversityJobs
• Employee of Sonoma County
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Handshake
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair
• La Voz
• Latino Service Providers
• LinkedIn
• Los Cien
• Press Democrat
• sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
• Start Here!
• X (Twitter)
• Veterans Services Office
• Women's Organization or Group
• Other Internet Site
• Other Publication

02
Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid State of California Class C driver's license by date of hire?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you currently enrolled in an undergraduate academic or vocational program at an accredited college or university?
(If selected, you will be required to show proof of your student status.)

• Yes
• No

04
Please detail your current academic status and include:

• Your college major, minor, and/or area of concentration
• Your current program of study year/level
• Your expected date of graduation/completion
• Any degrees you have previously earned

05
Please describe how your coursework and/or experience has prepared you for this internship.
Required Question